Apropos of the news story “Biogas plants growing in popularity” (THT, May 8, Page 3). We all know that biogas plants are the best alternative source of energy.

On top of that, the plants have been helpful in managing degradable wastes.

At a time when the country is reeling under a fuel crisis people in the western region have switched to biogas.

Therefore, the government must give more incentives and subsidies so that other rural households can set such plants to be energy independent.

After the government took the open market policy since 1990 even the people in rural areas switched towards imported LPG which most of the time remains a scarce commodity.

It has been found that the families who had set up biogas plants did not have to worry about a gas cylinder even during the blockade.

Animal dung is be used as a source to produce biogas and it can also help people sell milk and slurry for farming purposes. It is also environment friendly and helps protect community forests to a great extent.

It is the scheme of biogas plants in Nepal due to which community forestry has become a successful story to be cited all over the world.

Saroj Wagle, Bara

Grant

This is in reference to the news article titled as ‘’NHRC gets USD 128 million to promote human rights’’ (THT, May 6, Page 5).

European countries like Switzerland and Denmark on May 5 agreed to contribute US$ 1.2 million to the United Nations Development Programme to support implementation of National Human Rights Commission’s strategic plan and to develop its internal capacity.

However the thing is that the such constitutional bodies should not overtly depend on the donor funding, rather such bodies should be strengthened by the government itself so that they can function independently without being influenced by donors when it comes to discharging their duties.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu

Mother’s Day

The voices expressed on Mother’s Day “Inspiring qualities of Mother” (THT, May 6, Page 6) clearly shows that mothers are mothers whether they are ancient or modern, although their roles do diverge with the changing times.

It gives a message that mothers are like birds that keep their young under their wings, always protecting and nurturing them. Universally, the mother is the shock absorber of all conflicting emotions that arise among family members.

The travails of a mother never end. But she makes the best management guru. Organisational skills, time-management, being economical, crisis management … everything is tackled eventually.

Mothers are always taken for granted. We often fail to recognise their unconditional love and the sacrifices they make for the family.

All hell breaks loose if she is ill for a day, and we have a terrible time managing the house.

I wonder what God planned when he made mothers of children with special needs.

Vinod C. Dixit, Ahmedabad