Circulation of Indian notes

Nepal’s economy is dependent on foreign remittances, FDI and trade with India and China. It is, therefore, important to have good relations with our giant neighbours. However, I do not understand why there is excessive Indian currency circulation in the country. All stores, colleges, travel agencies etc. accept Indian currency. Is this because we have an open border with India? Indian currency is extensively used in the border areas. In fact, one can hardly see people using Nepali currency. If this is so, then why should the government print notes by depositing huge gold stocks and foreign reserves?

The Nepal Rastra Bank and the authorities concerned passed the directive that it is illegal to use foreign currency in the country and there is a need to show the sources from where the currency is brought. Is there any agreement between the two countries in this regard? If Indian currency can be used in the local markets then why not also use dollars or euros?

Deepak Luitel, Baneswor

Check first

While complaining against the code of conduct issued by the government against the NGOs/INGOs, the donors have to bear in mind the malpractices in the NGO sector in Nepal. Though some NGOs are doing a good job, many others have failed to deliver the goods. The donors should find out what is happening in the name of NGOs here.

Vishnu Kayastha, Lazimpat

Distortion

I was amazed to read that attorneys had defended the media ordinance before the Supreme Court by arguing, inter alia, that banning FM stations from broadcasting news was simply in line with international norms. I am sure this would come as news to the people at

KPLU-FM in Tacoma, USA, who send me up to six hours of news each day. Like

millions of Americans I rely on National Public Radio’s news broadcast over FM

stations. It’s bad for the King’s attorneys to bring disingenuous arguments before the apex court. When they shamelessly misrepresent the facts to the court and apparently get away with it, we have a true measure of just how far this government will go.

Marc Sullivan, Pokhara

Clarification

This refers to the news brief “UNHCR concern” published in THT on November 16. I would like to clarify that UNHCR has been wrongly mentioned in the news. In fact, UNHCR has neither received any letter from Suryodaya School in Damak, nor has it had any contacts with the local guardian as referred to in the report.

Nini Gurung, External Relations Assistant,

UNHCR, Kathmandu

Perseverance

Alankar Khanal’s Midway “Sweet success” (THT, Nov 15) was indeed sweet. I would like to add some personal thoughts. There are times when people meet tragic ends, not necessarily death but failure. But failure itself becomes sweet success in due course of time. It is said that failure is a stepping stone to success. When people fail they gather more experience, which makes them persevere more. The important thing is we should not stop trying. There is greater happiness in succeeding in the second attempt than in the first.

Shuvashish Das Shrestha, via e-mail