Empty rhetoric

After the success of the Jana Andolan II, the Nepalis had high hopes that all the

country’s ills would be cured and that their worries would be over soon. But that is clearly not the case. Instead of hiding behind empty rhetoric, the government should clearly explain to the people why it has not been able to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Maoists so far. It should also point out the difficulties in arriving at a peaceful solution in the talks with the Maoists. The Nepalis are sick of instability and insecurity. The government should not

forget that the people brought about the revolutionary change and that it needs to keep the mandate of the Jana Andolan uppermost in mind.

Dr Nita Thapa, New York

Price hike

The hike in the price of petroleum products has only added to the hardships of the general public. On its part, the government has not done enough to ease the people’s burden. The

problem is obviously out of the hands of the Nepal Petroleum Dealers’

Association (NPDA), either. Hence the responsibility rests with the government to ease the burden of price hike on the populace.

An underdeveloped country cannot afford such a steep hike. Procrastination on the part of the

government can only make matters worse as it will only lead to further strikes. And Nepal will suffer more.

Gita Panday, Saraswati Campus

Change

The now retired Chief of Army Staff General Pyar Jung Thapa took the oath of office in the House recently. This must have sent a clear message to the Nepali Army rank and file that the institution no longer has any connection with the royal family. Of late, the army has come under fire because of the lack of discipline among some of its personnel, as was the case in a recent incident when an inebriated army officer misbehaved with some policemen. The guilty officer has already been booked. This is an indication of the change taking place in the army.

Vishnu Sharma, via e-mail

Incentives

The Nepali cricket team is doing very well in the ACC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur as their thumping victories against Bhutan and Myanmar testify. All Nepalis should be proud of the

national team’s heroic efforts. The government, in turn, should encourage the

players to go even further in international competitions by providing them with

fresh incentives.

Deepesh Raj Rimal, Baneshwor

Poaching

It was sad to read the story of yet another rhino falling victim to the poachers in Chitwan (“Rhino dies”, THT, August 17). The poachers have pushed the rhino population to the verge of extinction. The authorities are not doing enough to curb their illegal activities. The government should take the problem seriously.

Shiva Neupane, Golphutar

Why delay?

The Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) has been unnecessarily delaying the publication of Class 12 results. The students have not been informed of the cause of the delay. This shows an indifferent attitude of the HSEB officials.

Pramod Mainali, via e-mail