Failure to understand

Birendra P. Mishra (THT, March 3) has blamed the failure of the parliamentary system in Nepal on the political leaders. His view on the matter is correct, to say the least.The system

couldn’t work satisfactorily as the politicians either didn’t function as they should have done within it, or they failed to understand how the system could be made to work.First and foremost, the leaders in each and every party in government took the system for granted. They did not comply with its norms and values. Uppermost in the minds of the leaders, both in government and the opposition, was how to further their interest. They didn’t have any scruple to go against the rules and regulations of the system, if that would serve their

purpose.

There were times when leaders, both in government and opposition, had resort to what is called “horse-trading” among themselves, when they felt such practices would help advance their self-interest. This was clearly seen during the government of Sher Bahadur Deuba when government legislators of one party were sought to be won by those of another

party by any means, fair or foul.

Again, the leaders from the opposition did not protest against the government of the day. They should have agitated by using all the strength at their command. Numerous

instances of political acting in utter defiance of the norms of parliamentary

system exist in Nepal. If things continue as they are, Nepal doesn’t have a bright prospect for the system to flourish. Unfortunately for Nepal, it has men and women in politics whose knowledge of the parliamentary system is meagre.

Yadav Khanal, Tripureswar, Kathmandu

Strong rice

Professor Pamela Ronald of the University of California at Davis in the United States of America has been successful recently in breeding a new hardier variety of rice that would be flood-tolerant. Huge tracts of rice-fields are washed away by floods in the Tarai every year. Ronald’s breed might be tried experimentally in some flood-prone areas of the Tarai.

The Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) at Khumaltar of

Lalitpur district is busy in research work on rice.

Findings of the research should be promptly tested in selected sites. Research should be focused on higher productivity, flood tolerance, disease resistance and quality of the products. Chemical fertilisers become more expensive every year. The government should think of a strategy to encourage bio-fertilisers and to discourage dependency on chemical fertilisers. The Rice Research Unit of NAST should always be kept busy for the food security of the country.

V P Sayami,Kathmandu

Mischief

Every year mischievous children throw lolas at pedestrians who do not wish to participate in the revelry of Fagu or when they have other urgent work to attend to. Many, particularly girls and women, fear venturing out during the festivities even when they have such work.

Since it is mostly small children who are found pelting lolas on these occasions, it is the

responsibility of guardians to prevent them from doing so.

Rita Shrestha, New Baneswor, Kathmandu