Maoists’ just demand

The parliament has announced 33 per cent reservation for women in all levels of bureaucracy. The civil society and women’s bodies have hailed the move but Maoist leader, Pampha Bhushal, has demanded 50 per cent reservation. She definitely has a point. Our

male-dominated society has ignored women in nearly all walks of life. This lopsided social structure needs to be revamped by amending laws. This will allow women to keep pace with their male counterparts and effectively address gender discrimination. It is important that men and women are given equal responsibilities.

Chhavi Bhatt, Pokhara

Irresponsible

Regarding the news “Each citizen should own a gun: Maoist leader” (THT, June 1), I would like to say that the remarks of Gopal Khambu, chief of Kirat Peoples’ Government and a Maoist central leader, is irresponsible at a time when the government and the Maoists have joined hands for establishing peace.

Instead of advocating renunciation of violence, Khambu wants a constitutional provision

allowing all citizens to acquire guns. Remarks like these make one doubt if the Maoists’ are really sincere about establishing peace.

Rabindra Shrestha,

via e-mail

Laudable

This concerns the report “UNHCR calls on Nepal, Bhutan to solve crisis’’ (THT, June 4). The UNHCR’s bid to solve the Bhutanese refugee crisis is praiseworthy. Its insistence on the dignified repatriation of refugees is also appreciable. The body should further urge both the governments to push for repatriation and find a durable solution to this problem. The international body should also press for the establishment of a UN office in Bhutan to facilitate a dialogue and its representatives should also be involved in the talks.

The UNHCR’s assurance to continue its humanitarian assistance till a permanent solution is found has emboldened the refugees to stand up for their rights. The refugees, under the aegis of Bhutanese Movement Steering Committee, are now camping outside the UN complex in Kathmandu demanding repatriation. The UNHCR should heed their voice and seek help from all sectors to break the deadlock.

Devi Pokhrel, via e-mail

Discouraging

I disagree with Suman Katawal’s views in “Point, Counter-Point” section on undergraduate studies abroad (THT, June 4). I want to remind Katawal that students go to the US to

pursue studies in as diverse fields as engineering and economics. A large number of them get good financial aid at top liberal arts colleges. As a director of one of the prominent academic institutions, Katawal must not hold narrow views.

This year many Nepali students have been admitted to top US universities on full scholarships. Katawal should have conducted a research on the number of undergraduates getting grants and scholarships to support their studies abroad before stating that quality education outside Nepal is unaffordable.

He should show some respect to the students who work hard to get into these colleges. I strongly criticise Katawal’s attempt to dissuade students from studying abroad.

Jayash Paudel, Kathmandu