This is no point of criticism, but clearly demonstrates the ground reality of the strong ties between the Nepal and India stretching back centuries. Both nations have gone through periods of love-hate relationships, including the current one. I have also noticed overwhelming coverage on Nepal’s crisis and the strong empathy for Nepal in Indian media too. PM Oli’s decision of visiting India should be welcomed and could be looked upon as a significant step in trying to bridge the strained relationship and normalizing it. No matter what, the neighboring nations willcontinue to exist side by side. In spite of challenges of relationship, things have to be worked out diplomatically to resolve the crisis, and there is no problem that cannot be resolved if both the parties sincerely attempt to do so. There is a strong support for Nepal in India and an overwhelming pressure on the Indian Central Government to extend support to Nepal and resolve the crisis through dialogue. However, India and her general population have strong resentments towards Pakistan and China from their mutual historic standoffs on several issues. The national interests of Nepal are more important than anyone’s personal likes and dislikes. After over 100 days of conflicts in the Terai, the government has failed to bring any comfort to the ordinary people of the nation, and could not find a solution to the problem. Hence, the Government of Nepal must realize that there is only one nation that can help Nepal to overcome this crisis and that is Nepal alone.

Saikat Kumar Basu, Canada

Preparedness

Apropos of the news story “Quake fault straining underneath Kathmandu: Study” (THT, Jan. 13, Page 1), nature has different dimensions of its own boundary. No one can anticipate when and how it will occur. Earthquake is one of the many forms of natural calamities that cannot be predicted when it will happen. Last year’s two temblors left as many as 9,000 people dead, wounded more than 22,000, damaging around a million houses, and rendering a similar number of people homeless.

The news story is a clear warning that the Nepal government and the Nepalese people themselves must be prepared to tackle yet another temblor likely to hit Nepal. However, sad to say, thegovernment is the least prepared for the eventuality. If yet another quake strikes Nepal in the near future, we will not be able to deal with it as we failed to do so in the aftermath of the April 25 quake and its aftershocks. Our institutions are very weak for rapid response such as the rescue, relief and rehabilitation missions, the three important tasks to be carried out on a war footing. A weak government and a corrupt and lethargic bureaucracy cannot provide any support to the people suffering from all kinds of natural disasters, be it a landslide or flood or earthquake. There are hundreds of families who are still living in tents and temporary shelters.

Saroj Wagle, Bara