Wrong practice

This refers to Dr Tirtha Raj Khaniya’s article “Appointment of VCs” (THT, April 26). Four major universities — Tribhuvan, Purbanchal, Pokhara and Nepal Sanskrit — have been without a vice-chancellor for over a year. As Khaniya indicates, this is the result of the

government’s negligence on the one hand and political interests of the parties on the other. As reported in the media, the major political parties have agreed to share the four vice-chancellorships with the CPN-UML getting TU, the Nepali Congress Purbanchal University, the CPN-Maoist Pokhara University and the Nepali Congress-D Nepal Sanskrit University.

It is wrong to divide these posts on purely political lines instead of appointing academics with visions, administrative abilities and an impartial outlook. This will only help politicise those institutions of higher learning and affect the quality of higher education there.

Prem Phyak, Department of English, TU, Kirtipur

Refreshing

I was delighted to see a topic of astronomy making THT front-page headline, “Second earth discovered circling mini-sun” (THT, April 26). Professional as well as amateur astronomers can work in astronomical research programmes provided they have the necessary equipment and facilities. The recently built Nagarkot Observatory will certainly help in this regard. But even amateur astronomers with telescope as small as one equipped with a four-inch reflector could participate. For instance, the exo-planet “TrES-2” that passes in front of the star

“GSC 03549-02811” every two and a half days was first spotted with a small telescope network using a technique called transit method.

I hope someday a headline will appear in THT of another exo-planet being discovered by Nepali astronomers with the help of small telescopes.

Pradipta Shrestha, Kosmandu Astronomical Society, SEDS-Nepal

Why the fuss?

It was rather silly of Nepali Congress lawmaker Binaya Dhawj Chand to allege his own party chief of complicity in offering King Gyanendra a gun salute at Dakshinkali. It needs to be kept in mind that not all Nepalis have turned their backs on the King. I also differ with Saurav Sharma’s letter “Superstitious” (THT, April 27). There is till date no law banning animal sacrifice in temples. It is hypocritical to blame the King alone for animal sacrifice, as this

practice is common.

Even after Jana Andolan II, violence, killings, abductions and extortions continue. All attention should be directed towards tackling these problems. The political parties should focus on bigger issues rather than on small ones like the King’s visit to Dakshinkali.

Sabin Thapa, Galfutar

In danger

The parties should stop the practice of holding mass meetings at Durbar Square in order to protect the fragile statues and monuments. Durbar Square has been declared a World Heritage Site, and it should be used for cultural and religious purposes only. Durbar Square and the rich heritage it contains are also our tourist attractions, and the frequent mass meets will not make sightseeking possible there. Why cannot the parties hold such programmes at other places?

Tisa Tuladhar, Kathmandu