Reduce noise pollution

I thank Dr Ravi Sharma Aryal for his article “Noise pollution: Are you aware of it?” published in THT on March 22 in the Nature Walk section. It was an informative write-up.

It was astonishing to know that officials at the Department of Cottage Industries are said to be handicapped from taking any legal action against industries responsible for causing noise pollution in the country.

There seems to be a lack of communication between and among government agencies. The government should introduce a certain standard of noise level for road traffic, air traffic, rail traffic and industrial noise, as to live in a peaceful environment (which is free from noise pollution) is a social right of every person.

It is not only the human beings who are affected by the rising level of noise pollution, but wild animals and beautiful birds too suffer from it. The government should thus give priority to controlling noise pollution under the Environment Protection Act, 1997.

Raghubar Ram Dev, Koteswor

Be balanced

It is good that the job vacancy advertisements of NGOs and INGOs usually encourage applicants from ethnic communities and women. Such opportunities would help women and ethnic groups to come forward in social life.

However, on many occasions, this rule could be discriminatory. Not all women and Dalits, for example, are the real deprived people of this country. There are many Brahmins, Chettris and people of other castes who could be poorer than some ethnic families. Therefore, the organisations should strike a balance while hiring new staff. It is not fair to look at things purely in terms of gender and ethnicity by ignoring the economic class, status or family background of a person.

Tatparya Bhatta, via e-mail

Wrong move

I was shocked to read the news that a pair of our endangered rhinos were gifted to Austrian zoo as a token of friendship. This is ridiculous. As their population is declining, one-horn rhinos should be treasured instead of being given away to foreigners.

Nepal has initiated conservation efforts to protect the rhinos for long, which numbered less than 100 in 1967 but increased to more than 600 in 2000. But in recent times, because of poaching, the number has again decreased to less than 400. The state should continue to provide protection to this beautiful animal.

Samridhi Shrestha, University of Dallas, Texas

Real beauty

I was moved by Ekta Kabra’s Midway article titled “Delicate balance” published in THT March 22. The writer had rightly mentioned the ‘real beauty’ within a woman. To have good looks is certainly a plus point, but the real beauty of a woman lies inside her.

Take for instance the highly honoured Mother Teresa, who became an icon in the world for her compassion and love for the poor and the needy. It was not her outer appearance that made her ‘beautiful’ in the eyes of the people, but rather it was her social work and devotion that made her the darling of everyone. Patience, dedication, diligence and grace are some of the real ornaments of a woman.

Soyang Devi Bajracharya, via e-mail