Go for early referendum:

CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist are reported to be trying to form a joint front to declare Nepal a republic from the floor of the interim parliament. That should not be the case. Nepal should be declared a republic only after the ratification of a republican constitution by the people through a national referendum. The interim parliament could request for UN expertise in helping to draft a republican constitution that enjoys tacit backing of the Janajatis, Madhesis, Dalits and women. The interim parliament should declare a date for the referendum soon after the proposed draft is ready.

Ravi Manandhar, Kathmandu

Irresponsible:

A top Nepali Congress leader said on Monday that the country would plunge into a civil war if the Nepali Army failed to maintain its discipline. Is this the kind of statement a responsible leader makes? His own party president heads the government. If this implies that the Prime Minister cannot keep the NA in discipline, who else can? Political leaders should work together to prevent a foreseeable catastrophe rather than alarming the people. Did not the parties that launched Jana Andolan II promise to modernise the NA and make it serve the people better?

Chanchal Tamrakar, Kathmandu

No change:

What has a year of Loktantrik government brought to the common people? It is time for the Nepalis to take stock of its accomlishments and failures. The violent activities of the Maoists and the various Tarai groups continue. Unless the common people can feel a visible improvement in their day-to-day lives, true Loktantra cannot be said to have been established in the country. Sadly, there was little to celebrate on the first anniversary of of Loktantra on April 24.

Dwaipayan Regmi, Biratnagar

Faulty:

It was not a good idea to divide the universities among the political parties for top appointments. The people appointed as the vice-chancellors may have been qualified, but this method does not convey the right message to the general public. In Nepal, it has often been seen that important appointments made on the basis of the candidates’ affiliation to political parties have been far from satisfactory. Certainly, there are other candidates of merit who have no political affiliation, but they tend to be left out because of a faulty screening process.

Ram Aryal, Ghattekulo

Unexciting:

The recently concluded Cricket World Cup was very disappointing. Early exit of India and Pakistan took the gloss out of the tournament. Had all the top eight Test playing countries made it to the Super 8 round, the World Cup would have been much more competitive and

exciting. The organisers should take the blame for poor spectator turnout at the 53 games. The ICC, for its part, has already apologised for “an unsatisfactory” World Cup, including at the end of the Sri Lanka-Australia final in Barbados. Though it is the biggest cricketing event in the world, the World Cup has never lived up to the public expectations. This time was no different.

Amrit Shrestha, Dhobidhara