Apropos of the news story “Maintain civilized look of the city: SC to KMC” (THT, Sept. 6, Page 3), every citizen has the right to live in a healthy environment. At the same time everybody should understand the fact that this very right can only be ensured when the citizens also cooperate with the municipalities. The cost of visual pollution such as haphazard hoarding boards, graffiti, movie posters, painting or pamphlets pasted on the walls or power poles is terrible and cannot be overemphasized.  Besides, unmanaged wires and e-waste, structures, debris of earthquakes, bottles, cans, polythene bags, garbage and other unwanted materials strewn on streets or public places are a nuisance.

Non-implementation of plans and policies, unhealthy and illegal means of business competition, ignorant citizens, and lack of strict punitive measures against the offenders have all given rise to such sickening scenarios. The Supreme Court intervention to impose a ban on rising visual pollutants and their removal from these areas to maintain the civilized look of the city is really praiseworthy. Everybody should abide by the SC order to keep the capital city neat and clean. Furthermore, to halt the rising visual pollution, the government should launch awareness programmes relating to this hazardous situation. It is high time we all took the issue very seriously playing our part honestly to render our city beautiful, civilized and a conducive place to live in.

Som Nath Ghimire, Kawasoti

Be sensitive

A few months back a tragic incident unfolded in neighboring India when the vehicle of the renowned Indian actress cum parliamentarian Hema Malini hit another vehicle occupied by the family of an ordinary Indian citizen. The parliamentarian was immediately hospitalized and provided the best available world class VIP treatment and she returned home safely.

The unfortunate family hit by the vehicle of the parliamentarian lost a minor child who was not provided with proper treatment. The parliamentarian did not bother to share a single word of condolence for the bereaved family and demonstrated aggression towards the media and the public for their outcry at her lack of empathy. I would also like to take this opportunity to criticize both the national and international media for only highlighting the rich and powerful celebrities and for neglecting the plight of the ordinary citizens. The pride of the largest democracy on the planet is sure to be overshadowed and eclipsed due to such arrogant behaviors. A lesson which should be learnt by the people of Nepal and the local media in an emergent democracy from this incident is  never to treat our beloved politicians and future parliamentarians with so much care that they forget to cater to the very people whom they are constitutionally obliged to serve. Democracy has many benefits as well as hidden pitfalls. We have to be vigilant to make our parliamentarians cater to the needs of the people.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada