Ruthless efficiency

I disagree with Bimal Adhikari’s letter “Not right” (THT, June 1) where he labels Young Communist League’s campaign to clear the roads of houses built by encroaching on public land “ruthless”. I live in Kalanki and have been observing the ongoing activities in the area. I totally support YCL’s initiative to make Kathmandu a better place to live in. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City would never have been able to clear the roads without YCL’s help.

The occupants of the houses that were destroyed were duly compensated.

Moreover, all of them had been warned a week in advance. Even so, if some people still believe that destroying the houses was a “ruthless” act, so be it. If it takes some ruthlessness to get the job done, I am all for it. Regarding the fear of YCL, the only people who need to be afraid are those creating hurdles to the process of national development.

Prabesh Dhakal, Kalanki

CA polls

Now that the eight-party alliance has decided to hold the CA polls by mid-December, people can finally heave a huge sigh of relief. The polls had to be put off for lack of preparation and

commitment. But if this happens again, people might take to the streets. Therefore, the government should start preparations right away.

Abijit Sharma, Dhapasi

Useful

I admire Kalpana Arora’s Sunday column ‘Management Mantra’ in THT ‘Perspectives’. She writes on organisational issues with remarkable confidence. I am sure the column has helped turn many corporate offices into sound working places. More of such articles should be published.

Pariwesh Lama, via e-mail

Carry on

This is in reference to Ravi Manandhar’s letter “Risky project” (THT, Mar 31). The alternatives he gives are very unrealistic. When we even hesitate to touch the water of the Bagmati and the Bishnumati, how can we think about drinking it? Of course the water could be purified. But it would take a much longer time to complete this project than the Melamchi one.

Considering the resources that have gone into the project, we should continue with the Melamchi.

Daya Ram Maharjan, via e-mail

Vitriolic

I was very disappointed to read the news report “Tibetan abbot ‘fired’ for not denouncing Dalai Lama” (THT, June 1). Khenpo Tsanor was apparently asked to step down as the head of his monastery after he refused to sign a document denouncing the spiritual guru. There have been similar incidents in the past. In April 1997, Chadrel Rinpoche, the former acting-abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lamas in Shigatse, was sentenced for his loyalty to the Dalai Lama.

The Chinese authorities launched an unprecedented anti-Dalai Lama campaign after the “Third National Forum on Work in Tibet” in Beijing in 1994. Attacks on the Dalai Lama subsequently appeared in materials used for political education. What is not recognised here is that the Dalai Lama is part of the Tibetan Buddhist religion. China cannot be anti-Dalai Lama and pro-Tibetan Buddhism at the same time.

Nyima Gyalpo, Kathmandu