intervention

I am surprised at the statement of Girija P Koirala calling for the help from international community to mediate between the three conflicting sides — the King, the Maoists and the political parties. It is strange to hear a veteran politician like Koirala admit that the Nepalis are incapable of solving their own problems. If this is the case, how can the Nepalis believe that these politicians are going to solve their problems in the future? With lost hope, it seems, leaders like Koirala are trying to find an international mediator. Why do we want to put the fate of our country into foreign hands? Instead, why don’t they try to win the confidence of the people by showing that they are capable of solving the nation’s problems themselves. Their support is dwindling whereas that of the palace and the Maoists keeps increasing. Hence all of us should endeavour to chart our own path to democracy.

Ramesh Kunwar, Kathmandu

Pillion riding

I disagree with Manoz Thapa’s letter “Time to act,” published in THT on July 13 in support of the government’s request to avoid pillion riding. The ‘ban’ on backseat riding sounded dubious

the moment I first heard about it. It would have been very difficult to implement such a rule. The role of the government is to make the lives of its citizens easy. It should think about the consequences before it tries to enforce such restrictions. In the 21st century the imposition of the ban on pillion riding and the prevention of the use of mobile phones is a step in the wrong direction. A ban on pillion riding will not in any way pre-empt attacks. Pillion riding can’t be done away with in a city like Kathmandu. Using cheap public transportation hardly serves the purpose in the sluggish traffic of Kathmandu.

Reena Bhlon, via e-mail

Clarification

This is in reference to the article entitled ‘Invest in your future’ published in the Business page under the column ‘Taking Stock’ (THT, July 4). I would like to clarify the following point

regarding the investment mentioned. Hyatt is a management company and hence the investment is not in Hyatt as is mentioned in the article. The investment would be in the company of the promoter/owners — THRL — Taragaon Regency Hotels Limited and therefore Hyatt cannot be termed as a ‘bad investment’.

Harninder Singh, GM, Hyatt Regency Kathmandu

Thanks Sir Ed

Sir Edmund Hillary has shown deep concern regarding the conservation of Mt. Everest and its

surroundings. His plea to include the Himalayas on United Nation’s list of endangered heritage because of the risks posed by climate change is laudable. Global warming, a by-product of industrialisation, is steadily eating at our most precious national treasure and causing the ice on the Himalayas to melt and flood the low-lying regions. The harm done to the Himalayas and its flora and fauna is indeed a loss for the humanity. Its inclusion in the heritage list would force the agencies concerned to take necessary steps toward its conservation. It is

heartening to see the world’s attention has finally fallen on this crisis. Once again, thanks to Hillary for taking up this great cause.

Deepak Giri, via e-mail