Change syllabus

Education guides our lives. At present, many changes have taken place in Nepali politics. But our course books remain the same. It is still not uncommon to find government-approved course books where the King is mentioned as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. In light of the changed political climate, the students are not ready to accept such hoary ideas, nor are the teachers willing to teach the old stuff to the young generation. But the Ministry of Education has yet to come up with a new national syllabus. The government must prepare a new syllabus, keeping in mind the present realities.

Dilli Ram Kattel,

Three Stars School, Kailali

Maoists’ arms

Outgoing British ambassador to Nepal Keith George Bloomfield is quite right in asking the Maoists to lay down arms before joining the interim government (“Maoists must give up arms for ever: Bloomfield”, THT, June 24).

How can the Maoists expect to enter the mainstream politics without laying down arms, or at least vowing to do so within a timeframe? It would be suicidal to allow the rebels to take the reins of the State while their militia is still active. And what good will come of the talks carried out at gunpoint? While it is important for the government to monitor the arms of the security forces, it is most urgent to manage the Maoists’ arms.

Sajan Khadka, via e-mail

NC politics

It is surprising to hear divergent views emanating from Nepali Congress (NC) leaders. As soon as one leader voices his opinion, another tries to air a contrary view. The NC seems to be committing another great political blunder.

Congressmen seem happy just to boast their contribution to the cause of democracy. The party should not forget that the people, and not only the NC cadres, were at the forefront of the recent pro-democracy movement. Hence important decisions like whether to retain the monarch, who tried to suppress the Jana Andolan brutally, should be left to the people. The NC should not bicker over the issue endlessly.

The NC may have its own reasons for wanting to retain monarchy in some form. But it should not forget that the people will not forgive anyone who sides with the ruthless King. Those still rooting for monarchy may soon be relegated to the pages of history. During the 14 months the party was out of power, it kept urging the people to end the autocratic monarchy. But now it seems to be backtracking from its earlier position. The NC risks losing its credibility if it fails to act according to the people’s wishes.

Rajesh Koirala, via e-mail

Bad attempt

What is the lady atop the statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah (front-page photograph, THT, June 26) trying to prove? That women can do anything that their male counterparts can? If that was the purpose, I must say it was a bad attempt. Haven’t the women cadres of the CPN-Maoist and the Nepali Army proved their worth? There is no need for women to resort to such childish acts to voice their demands.

Instead of shouting empty slogans on the streets, the women activists and politicians should come up with concrete proposals specifically aimed at women empowerment.

Vishnu Rajouria, via e-mail