I am profoundly puzzled not understanding the way Nepal government endorses decisions such as the national holidays.

This must be the sign of not being able to find options other than using the security forces and a fleet of vehicles when foreign leaders are on our roads. We can see there has been a huge public outcry over the government’s pathetic decision.

I am very much baffled to see our Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal who seems to be a “Yes Man” now. He is responsible for the government’s embarrassing decision. We have to preserve our tradition and culture to show our respect for our foreign guests.

However, it doesn’t mean that we need to do the things that make us feel ashamed. When the US president visited China, the Chinese did not bend even an inch; rather they showed their calculated diplomatic snub to Barack Obama, not to mention disturbing the transportation routes and announcing a national holiday.

I can’t speak for applicability of systems and mechanisms of Nepal by comparing living here in a first world country, Australia.

However, can we not at least try to get inspired by the first world country’s systems? When American television celebrity Oprah Winfrey came to Australia there was a big crowd in Melbourne, but a single vehicle was not affected by it.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne

Bewitched

Nepal is completely bowled over by the infectious charm of the Indian president “Mukherjee departs after three day visit” (THT, November 5, Page 1).

In a fine gesture of warm and friendly reciprocity, Nepal has started preparation for our president’s visit to India. This will bring our relation with India back on the track.

With Deuba hurrying to India on the heels of Mukherjee’s visit, and many more likely to follow suit in the near future, we will never have to live with another blockade during our lifetime.

Things are looking as sunny and as glorious as the autumn sun and the chuckling Himalayas.

Manohar Shrestha, Kathmandu

Ultra runner

It’s really a matter of pride and honour for a country like Nepal for the fact that Nepalese ultra runner Mira Rai has been shortlisted for National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year Award.

Rai will have to fight with nine other contenders from exploration, adventure sports, conservation and humanitarian sectors for the people’s choice award to be announced in coming January.

She was a former Maoist combatant who turned to athletics later on.

The ultra runner then went on to win a gold medal in the Mont-Blanc 80 km race in June last year, besides securing second positions in the Salomon Ultra Pirineu in Spain and Tromso Ultra 45 km in Norway, which helped her finish second in the Skyrunning World Championships.

According to National Geographic, high-elevation racing phenom Mira Rai is on a mission to help the women of Nepal with the help of sports.

Pratik Shrestha, Baneshwor