The news story revealing the demolition of Baneshwor Vegetable Market drew my attention (“Government officials demolish Baneshwor vegetable market”, THT, December 11, Page 2).

The land occupied by the vegetable vendors is reported to have been owned by the Citizen Investment Trust (CIT). Even after more than a decade, the government didn’t think it necessary to give the vegetable vendors an alternative.

This vividly shows the government’s apathy towards them. The way the vendors threw the vegetables on the main road was barbaric. Needless to say, the waste of vegetables is beneficial to none. The vendors have no other option than to sell the vegetables to make their ends meet.

Had the government provided them with an alternative the vendors would not have occupied the land belonging to CIT.

Now that they desperately need a new marketplace to earn their living, it’s a responsibility of the government to address their grievances as soon as possible.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen

BUSINESS

In Nepal, common people talk about comparative advantages with China and India. Similarly, we can see tremendous opportunities untapped by the government in sectors such as tourism, garment industries, food and beverages, metal manufacturing and herbs.

However, it is not hyperbolic to say that a handful of private business houses are tapping such opportunities on their own. China and India together have over two and a half billion people.

Still Nepal has not been able to reap the potential that it has because of the huge population both the countries have. Population itself is not an opportunity; we must be able to do business with both the countries in a competitive manner.

We must have business deals with both the sides if we want to take advantage of the huge market both the neighoburing countries have. We must identify what we can grow here in Nepal and what we can export to North and South.

Nobody will spread the red carpet opening up their market from where another country can easily do business and reap benefit.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

Fate of airport

Apropos of your commentary “Lack of expertise taking toll on Nepal’s aviation” (THT, December 19, Page 3), what is of graver worry than our mediocre aviation employees at the moment is the Indian permission for flight entry into Gautam Buddha International Airport.

When it comes to geopolitical concerns for flight operation, it is clear that the ADB experts and planners are no better than their Himalayan counterparts as they too failed to foresee the protection area extending to the Indian territory while pushing the national pride project further south.

What if India does not grant permission to use their space for descent below 29000 ft.

It would not be easy for our mediocre aviation experts to convince India to help the impoverished neighbour to operate the airport.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu