Absent doctors

This refers to the news report "Docs stay off villages, volunteer in valley" (THT, Jan.15). Though medical professionals might be right that there is no scope for growth outside the capital, their first responsibility is to provide medical care to those in need. Hundreds of thousands of people in remote areas succumb to death for lack of even basic medical care. There are hospitals in Nepal which haven’t seen doctors for years. The authorities

concerned should make it mandatory for fresh medical graduates to serve for at least a couple of years in the villages before shifting their base to the cities.

Amol Acharya, Gatthaghar, Bhaktapur

Right on

This refers to the news report "School curricula to include conservation lessons" (THT, Jan. 10). This government decision holds great significance for a country like Nepal where natural resources are being destroyed apace. The introduction of text material on conservation will not only help students to be aware of one of the great challenges humanity faces but will also aid the production of future conservationists.

Padam Raj Paneru, Dhangadi

Cheap car

One of India’s largest conglomerates, Tata Industries, has unveiled the world’s cheapest car, which according to media reports, will soon be out in the market. The hype that has been created has lured people with low incomes into thinking about buying one for themselves. Though cheap cars would undoubtedly fulfil the dreams of most middle-class families, the other effects of the introduction of ‘Tata Nano’ should also be taken into consideration,

especially by a developing country like Nepal.

Energy sources to run these vehicles are not inexhaustible. Moreover, the soaring price of

petro-products would lead to people cutting their other expenses to fuel their vehicles. A cheap car may add to our material comforts, but would definitely not be beneficial in the long run.

Suraj Upadhaya, via e-mail

More loos

Apropos of the news report "Mobile toilets for metro denizens soon" (THT, Jan.15), it is commendable that the Environment Management Division of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is planning to construct 10 mobile toilets in 10 of the busiest places in the capital. As the KMC initiative sounds cost-effective and logical, it should already be thinking about constructing more of them all over the major cities of Nepal.

Binod Khatiwada,

via e-mail

No cure-all

There is no arguing that thousands of people who regularly follow Swami Ramdev’s yoga lessons have reaped rich benefits.

Patients even claim that performing various asanas he teaches have cured them of otherwise incurable diseases. Though he may have evidence to back his claim my experience has been quite the opposite. My blood pressure level has increased in spite of the fact that I regularly practice Pranayama. The message I want to convey is that though Pranayama has proved beneficial to most, not everyone is lucky.

Udaya Sharma, via e-mail