September 14 (Bhadra 29 B.S.) is observed as National Children’s Day in Nepal. On 14th September 1990 AD Nepal had signed and approved the protocol passed by UN Convention on Child Rights.

To commemorate that day Nepal started to mark 29th Bhadra as the National Children’s Day since 2063 B.S. The UN general assembly passed the Convention on Child Rights on November 20, 1989 and implemented it on September 2, 1990 AD.

However, Nepal ratified this convention on September 14, 1990. Nepal has not been able to address the children’s problems although it had made many strategies.

Nepal observed 1990 as a ‘Girl Child Year’.

Similarly, we observed 1991 to 2000 as ‘Girl Child Decade’ and 2001 to 2010 as ‘Child Right Decade’ along with other SAARC members. Nepal implemented Children Act on 2048 B.S. Still, our streets are not urchin-free areas.

The rich in urban areas still keep poor children as domestic help who are denied their right to education, health and minimum wages set by the government. The Children’s Day will be meaningless unless the children from humble family background get the opportunity to go to school and are provided with health care.

The situation has turned from bad to worse in the earthquake hit districts where the children have been deprived of their right to education and health services after their school buildings and health posts were damaged last year.

There are also reports that the destitute children have been trafficked in foreign countries unnoticed by the district authorities and forced into immoral activities.

It is education that will make children happy throughout their life.

Abhishek Kunwar, Pokhara

Agenda

Apropos of the news story “Mahat, Swaraj vow to improve bilateral ties” (THT, September 13, Page 1), the main question is to turn the never-ending ‘vow’ into ‘wow’.

After meeting three Hindu foreign ministers from different ethnic groups in six months, Swaraj would know by heart by now what will improve the bilateral ties.

Nepal must insist on speedy completion of Pancheshwar, postal roads, flood control, irrigation, border regulation etc.

India might want something in return, so Nepal should ask them what they want in lieu of their support.

Also, rather than raising the issue of Kalapani and Susta within the country through highly charged political youths as and when time and situation dictate, Mahat-Dahal combination should find a permanent solution to this irritant.

Our bilateral or trilateral relations should be treated purely as business which is what they are. As for the agendas, they have already been fixed.

Suggestions from various quarters to Dahal to do this and that will be only for local consumption.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu