Thamel is no doubt a front runner in Nepali tourism today “Entrepreneurs seek proper policies to retain the aesthetic value of ‘tourist hub’ Thamel” (THT, March 12, Page 13). It, however, has problems galore, and, if the traders do not take preemptive measures, it could follow its inspiration of the Freak Street. Since the government may not necessarily know the proper policies to retain the aesthetic value of Thamel, the two young entrepreneurs in the report should draft the required policy and present it to the government through TTDC for implementation.Both Jhonche and Thamel are the oldest parts of town, conventional and orthodox. Both these places were and still are residential localities. Commercial activities have been forced upon them. If the government policies were consistent and its policies were not lacking, as decried by one young entrepreneur, Thamel would have remained an out and out a high-end residential locality. Along with the lack of government policies and regulations, the only reason the locals have tolerated invasive and pervasive alien and liberal culture is the high rental opportunities. Jhonche, of course, is long dead. Thamel is now the centre of tourism excellence, but TTDC has to do more to preserve it. There is no point in talking anymore of ‘our unique culture’ which has been completely trampled by massage parlors, dance bars, pubs and motorcycle thugs etc. If the young entrepreneur can bring back nightly Newari bhajans instead of ‘dohoris’ and regular religious festivities instead of jam sessions hosted by DJs, we can promote ‘our unique culture’ at Thamel to attract more tourists. The overriding problem is to save lives and limbs at Thamel when the next big April Quake comes roaring. Safety is the biggest issue here.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

The question

This is in response to the news story “NOC breaks rules to allow BPPL to sell petrol” (THT, March 11, Page 1). As we all know, in a democracy people are at the centre while no one is above the law. However, NOC seems not to be thinking about the people at all and is acting as if it is above the law in relation to its latest decision to allow the infamous privately- owned Birat Petroleum Pvt. Ltd to sell petrol at Rs. 130 per liter, 31 rupees more than the existing market price.The decision of the NOC has taken the general people by surprise as it has come at a time when people are looking for fuel at normal price, with the lifting of the blockade. The decision proves that nothing has changed substantially in the country despite the change in governance system. That is to say, be it any form of governance system, it is the general people who have to suffer due to the irresponsible and corrupt authorities. Moreover, such an illegal decision by a state-owned fuel monopoly has raised a serious question. If a state ownedcompany breaches rules of law blatantly what can the general people expect from the government?

Rupak R Khanal, Via e-mail