LETTERS

Shoestring budget

This is in reference to the letter “Dogs” by Ankita Upadhyay (THT, Feb. 13). We fully share the writer’s concern that we have only been able to do little to manage the street dogs in the valley. However, we do not agree that animal rights organisations get lots of money for the purpose as virtually no international donor is interested in supporting animal welfare in Nepal. We are barely able to raise US$ 300 annually and a little more if we are lucky enough. With this shoestring budget we manage to rescue and rehabilitate on average 30 sick or injured dogs and provide free vaccination and health check-ups to 100 others. Our volunteers also run animal welfare campaigns and education programmes. Similarly, the Kathmandu Animal

Treatment Centre works on a very tight budget but has managed to spay and

vaccinate 5,000 street dogs in just a few years, thus implementing the only

humane and scientific solution to the stray dog problem in the capital.

Lucia, Animal Nepal,

Bagdol, Patan

Identity

Apropos of the letter “Tradition broken” (THT, Feb. 14), I am proud that that there are still some of us who respect our traditional values and are not afraid to express their views. Religion and tradition are the basis of our identity. Apparently, political leaders have failed to realise this very fact. Though the king has been stripped of all his powers, I believe many Nepalis would like to have the king as the religious head.

Kishore Maharjan,

via e-mail

Improve

This refers to the news report “NT slashes mobile phone tariff” (THT, Feb. 13). Though Nepal Telecom has slashed its tariff, it is still higher than what is charged by service providers in India. Furthermore, NT has not been able to provide facilities like GPRS which are highly in demand. Besides providing these services, Nepal Telecom should also improve its network.

Dwaipayan Regmi,

Biratnagar

Persuade

As of now, the Madhesis are divided into two groups. While one of the groups is amenable to talks with the government, the other has been calling for bandhs.

Naturally the former group should sit with the latter and persuade them to sit for talks with the government. It would only be inviting disaster for the country if the CA polls could not be held in a free and fair atmosphere.

Ishwari Pradhan, via e-mail

Unfair

It is an unfair decision of the government to distribute NT shares to the public at higher rates. It is discriminatory to fix different rates of shares for NT staff and the general public. The decision is against common Nepalis.

Yuvraj Bhandari, via e-mail

Alternative

At a time when petroleum shortage has hit the country, it would be best for the

government to encourage people to use eco-friendly vehicles and use other sources of energy. It would not only be the best solution to the petroleum crisis but also Nepal’s dependence on other countries to fulfil its energy requirements. In addition, this would

contribute to the drive against pollution in Nepal.

Prajwal Rijal, Pokhariya, Biratnagar