Tip of the iceberg

Apropos of the news report “Dancing docs dump patients for drinks” (THT, April 7), the incident in Lamjung Community Hospital is an example of the callousness of doctors

towards their suffering patients. Drinking and merrymaking inside hospital premises cannot be justified on any pretext. Incidents like this undermine the sanctity of the medical profession. Such practices have become frequent in government offices around the country and are indicative of the lack of responsibility of government employees. Those who do not fulfil their responsibilities should be relieved of their duties.

Nabin Paudel, via e-mail

Coercive

The so-called “re-education” campaigns launched by the Chinese authorities in Tibet have been unsuccessful since 1997, “China to step up ‘Re-education’ of Tibetans” (THT, April 6). Re-education campaigns have always targeted Tibetan religious institutions in order to cut back the support for Dalai Lama, thereby threatening Tibetan identity. It is because of this brutal and repressive policy that Tibetans have developed such deep-rooted resentment against the Chinese government. Now that China has come under fire over its Tibet policy, the Chinese government is making a last-ditch attempt to bring the situation under control. China should understand that Dalai Lama is the embodiment of spiritual authority for a majority of Tibetans, in and outside Tibet. No amount of coercion will be able to stop Tibetans from standing by him.

Nyima Gyalpo, Kathmandu

No right

This is in reference to the news report “King makes you feel small: Devyani” (THT, April 7). Devyani Rana, after her marriage to an Indian national, is no longer a Nepali citizen and

therefore has no authority to speak on sensitive politcal issues that could undermine the country’s peace and stability. Her statement should not be accorded undue importance by the media as it purely reflects her personal opinion rather than what the public believes. Furthermore, Devyani is not a political figure. She came to be known by the general public for her links with the slain Crown Prince Dipendra.

Raju (Tau) Nakarmi,

via e-mail

Foreign hand

Nepal’s dismal economic status, political instability and ineffectual foreign policy have made the country a playing ground for foreign powers. This has led to increasing foreign

interference in Nepal’s internal affairs. Big powers have considerably influenced the way Nepal makes many of its important decisions on national as well as international fronts. Whether it is the issue of Tibetans or some other issue of vital interest to any big power, Nepal’s policy has been influenced in one way or the other. Tibetans have been living harmoniously in Nepal for five decades either as asylum seekers or refugees. Most of them have Nepali citizenship which entitles them to all the basic fundamental and human rights that the constitution guarantees to all Nepali citizens. Nepal supports “One China policy” and recognises Tibet as a part of China. But as long as protestors demonstrate peacefully, the government should not use force against them.

Bijay Chhetri, Kathmandu