Meaningless patriotism

The editorial “First part last” published in THT on November 10 truly raised the issue of the political crisis facing the Nepalis, thanks to the power-hungry political players. It is ironic that all the political forces — the King, the political parties and the Maoists — who claim to be acting for peace and democracy and talk of patriotism cannot come together to resolve the crisis once and for all. Patriotism has no meaning if they cannot unite for the larger cause of peace and democracy.

Kiran Kharel, via e-mail

Equality

This refers to the Midway piece “Daughter’s pain” published in THT on November 11. I was pleased to know that there are young people who feel the need to stand for women’s equality.

Like the writer, I, too, have witnessed discrimination against women even in educated families. Conservative mindset is to blame and only a drastic social change can make a difference.

Poonam KC, via e-mail

Political maze

Restoration of peace in Nepal seems a far cry. On the one hand, there is the unilateral ceasefire and the news of the parties approaching the Maoists; on the other, the mainstream parties are demanding a republic but the government has announced the date for elections.

New and smaller parties have decided to take part in the elections, but the bigger ones have vowed to boycott them. It is a kind of political maze in which we are lost. It is high time the leaders abandoned their egos and worked for a durable solution to the crisis.

Eak Prasad Duwadi, via e-mail

Harassment

The traffic police’s job is to help regulate the traffic and not to harass the public

unnecessarily. The poor rickshaw-pullers are the usual victims. I recently saw a policeman harassing a rickshaw puller for nothing. The officer inflated the tyres of the rickshaw, and when the driver protested, the policeman punched him several times. It was unfair. If the police start troubling the people, then what can we expect from others?

Jenny Rai, Jhapa

Shameless

It seems that Nepal’s Constitution is in a state of coma. Some claim it to be dead while the others opine that it is still functioning. Those leaders who now criticise the government for paralysing the Constitution must remember that they also share the blame. The visits of our leaders to New Delhi are wrong. When they are in power, they become the first ones to criticise ‘Indian imperialism’ and ‘American colonialism,’ but when in a tight corner, they freely seek the blessings of foreign leaders.

Thakur Lamsal, via e-mail

Give news

I have heard many times about a boy living in Bara district who is said to possess the characteristics of Lord Buddha. It is said that he also has unearthly power and is usually seen in the jungle of Bara. I think some local media persons have reported it but there has been no news regarding this in THT. It would be really nice if you could investigate this report and let the public know the facts.

Suresh Adhikari, Bharatpur