Apropos of the news story “Banks revoke inter-banking transaction with NIC Asia” (THT, March 10, Page 11), NIC Asia should march alone on its struggle to keep the true flag of privatisation flying high.

Inter-bank understanding, agreement and consensus to determine and hold interest rates on loans and deposits with no benefit to customer is nothing less than “carteling’ to use a mild word. What is the point of privatisation in the country if the traders gang up to resort to price, or in this case, interest fixing? Isn’t the price and interest fixing by a couple of dozen banks against the values and norms of the most sacred, holy and democratic privatisation mechanism which works solely based on the demand and supply in the market? It is time we realised that trading is not politics where a few characters decide who get what post and how.

Customers or people if you like are the new king in a competitive economy. Traders have to come up with ideas and prices to win over customers for their survival.

It is time that the government came up with strong deterrents against monopolistic tendencies and price fixation by the traders in every field from potato and tempo to motor vehicles and helicopter charters.

Since we are talking of privatisation day in and day out, we should copy the trade practices of developed countries and impose them in the country. Or, just do what Reliance is doing in India by offering good communication services at the cost of a plate of buff momo on the road side stalls in the country.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Lifestyle

It is very important that we take proper care for our general health for our general wellbeing and to provide long term support for our families, the society and the nation.

A healthy body is the habitat for a healthy mind without which no objective in life could ever be achieved successfully. It does not take too much efforts or financial support to stay healthy. But it does need some education, awareness, motivation to follow a regular lifestyle with a balanced diet and physical activities like some freehand exercises, stretching, yoga, jogging or brisk walking at least three or four times a week. It is important to eat a balanced diet rich in protein and fibers and low in carbohydrate; avoid eating cheap junk foods and soft drinks and focus on building a healthy lifestyle.

This is an investment in our life that is significant for our overall well being. One would start looking fit and feel energetic with balanced diet and a regular exercise regime incorporated in the lifestyle within a week or a month.

If we are healthy, then we could achieve lots in our life; continue to be successful; able to handle stress better as well as sleep and relax better. We must follow the old saying that “health is wealth” in our daily life.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada