What does Baral mean?

This is in reference to the edit page article “Political transition” (THT, Jan. 8) by Lok Raj Baral. The article is so replete with ifs, buts and implicit assumptions that one fails to make head or tail out of it. The only message one gets is this: “Nepalis, keep your faith intact with India for the forthcoming societal transition towards a prosperous federal democratic republic”. What, however, is surprising is his stark assertion that there has not been a serious study of the 1950 Indo-Nepal treaty! I wonder, what he means by “serious study”.

Be it known that sufficient studies have already been made to which the writer has been a party. Drafts of a new treaty to replace the 1950 treaty have also been proposed by some scholars. Is he not begging a question when he says, “In my opinion, Indo-Nepal relation will not improve unless the Nepali politicians try to understand it from a new perspective”? We would have benefited immensely if the former ambassador to India had enlightened us as to what this “new perspective” is.

Madhukar SJB Rana, Jawalakhel

Right man

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has made a good decision, though it did take its own time, by appointing Captain K B Limbu the managing director of the faltering Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC). Realising the earlier mistakes and having professional man at the helm of NAC is indeed a sign of hope that the national flag carrier will again see its glory days return. However, Limbu will need a lot of support from various government bodies, especially the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, to use his knowledge and expertise to bail NAC out of the current crisis. NAC must retain its image of the national flag carrier by operating international flights even if it had to discontinue its domestic operations.

Dorji Tsering Sherpa,

via e-mail

NA stand

This refers to the news report “Katawal’s comment to affect peace bid” (THT, Jan 8). Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara has described Chief of Army Rukmangud Katawal’s

comment as being against the spirit of the comprehensive peace accord. In fact, I support Katawal for his stand of refusing the integration of indoctrinated PLA soldiers into the Nepal Army. Now that most of the Maoist demands have already been met, the Maoist leaders should think in terms of broader public interest.

Suresh Chhetry, via e-mail

Incorrect

This refers to the news report “NGO’s attempt to rid Valley of stray dogs” (THT, Dec 24). Dr Babu Ram Gautam, the chief of the Department of Public Health and Social Development, has

mentioned that Animal Birth Control (ABC) was initiated by Kathmandu Valley Animal Treatment (KAT), which is not true.

The ABC Programme was launched by The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Nepal (SPCAN) in June 2003.

Under its ABC programme, SPCAN has sterilised more than 2,000 dogs. Being the only animal welfare organisation in the country, SPCAN has also taken a lead in the introduction of ‘flank

spaying’ in the country under the ABC Programme.

Malika Nepal, Secretary General, SPCAN