LETTERS

Not exactly the real thing

The recently concluded five-day long National Educational Fair 2062 at Pokhara Exhibition Centre, Nayabazar, Pokhara, could receive no appreciation from the visitors, who had gone there with much enthusiasm and expectation. Though it has been reported that the fair was a success from the point of view of a handful of visitors, it was not really beneficial to book-lovers. Since it was called an educational fair, it should have provided more information on education and education-related programmes so as to give the visitors the real taste of it. Though famous educational institutions in the name of counselling visitors occupied some of the stalls, they were busy selling their own profit-oriented programmes and schemes and trying to draw them to their doors. One very important thing that the visitors expect from such a fair is the availability of famous books on special discounts. Though some old, spine-torn and dog-eared books could be seen in some of the stalls, they were rare and not at a discount. So most of the visitors were disappointed.

Keshav Raj Adhikari, Pokhara

Welcome UN

Simon Tisdall’s article “Nepal crisis: Start dialogue under UN auspices” published in THT on November 15 was a very good write-up. The author has focused on the most appropriate issue and has given genuine suggestions. If the warring factions agree to let the UN come to Nepal to mediate the peace process, it would be good for all. Armed conflict will surely turn the nation into a failed state sooner or later. The leaders should seriously think about this option before it is too late.

K P Neupane, via e-mail

Not that bad

This is in reference to the news report “Human Rights Watch flays NGO code of conduct” published in THT on November 16. The NGOs and INGOs should understand that the code of conduct is after all not that bad. Hopefully, the new regulations will make the NGOs responsible and their activities more transparent. Those NGOs that engaged in malpractices before would now be a little more conscious for sure. Instead of starting agitation and protests against the code, it would be better if the human rights agencies helped to bridge understanding between the government and the citizens.

Chandan Das, KU

Mediation

Even when India formally declared the refugee issue to be a bilateral one between Nepal and Bhutan, Nepal still failed to raise the problem at the 13th SAARC summit in Dhaka recently. Instead of involving refugee representatives or international community in the negotiations in the past, the then Nepali government meekly accepted the divisions of the refugees into four categories, thereby hampering the repatriation process. It is a known fact to the refugees and the international community that Nepal alone has not been able to solve this protracted crisis. Thus, there will be no lasting solution without the involvement of a third party or a mediator. Nepal must immediately internationalise the refugee issue and get some help from the international community.

Yuva Raj Baral, via e-mail