Blueprint for development

This is in reference to Jaya Raj Acharya’s article “Challenges ahead” (THT, Nov. 20). Going by India’s activities vis-à-vis Nepali politics over the decades, it is difficult to figure out what it really wants. The answers are equally puzzling for the Indians. Most of our politicians are ever ready to knock at the South Gate instead of sorting out their problems inside the country itself.

They rush to New Delhi for guidance like a section officer seeking out the under secretary in office. Then there is China, lurking over the walls but apparently not doing enough to work with India to stabilise the situation in Nepal. Instead of wasting time and money on the ever elusive CA election, the US and UNMIN, among others, should be working with the two neighbours in concert with Nepalis and develop a blueprint for political and socio-economic

development for Nepal by which all parties, both domestic and foreign, would abide.

Bihari Krishna Shrestha, Chakupat Green Block, Patan

Fresh faces

The major political parties are sticking it out over the electoral system for the forthcoming CA polls. The Maoists’ shouts for full proportional representation have drowned all dissenting voices. Meanwhile, the CPN-UML has appeared indecisive through its leaders’ contradictory

remarks on the electoral system. The Nepali Congress, for its part, seems to be adamant about the mixed system of election.

The Maoists fear that they may suffer a loss in the election through the mixed system. The CPN-UML fears losing its seats if the polls are not held soon enough. The NC is apprehensive about the full proportional representation. Thus we see that these parties are driven by their partisan interests.

In this light, none of the major political parties deserves to represent Nepalis as all have ignored the people’s interests.

In fact, there is little point in holding an election if the same old faces who have failed in the past are going to contest and win the election. Fresh faces, with fresh ideas and a clean

image, are the need of the hour.

Dwaipayan Regmi,

Biratnagar

Potential

This refers to Bipin Upadhyay’s letter “Trolley Bus” (THT, Nov 16). The trolley bus is the best means of transportation in and around Kathmandu Valley. First, it is pollution-free, second it does not have to rely on the unreliable supply of petro-products, and third, it does not produce any noise. It is also very cheap compared to other forms of transportation.

With a little help of the Chinese government, we could have easily extended the route, around the ring road and from one city corner to another (for example, from Thankot to Dhulikhel and Godawari to Budhanilkantha). We could also add deluxe

buses for foreign tourists.

At the same time, we could save millions of rupees in fuel costs.

Widespread corruption has destroyed the trolley bus. Now instead of ferrying

passangers up to Surya Vinayak, it is only capable of plying between Koteswor and Tripureswor. The YCL has a golden opportunity to rebrand itself as a Young Creative League

by pulling off the trolley miracle.

Rajendra Gurubacharya, Naya Baneswor