Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to embark on a week-long official visit to China on March 20 with a long wish-list of Chinese support for building mega hydro-electricity, road and gasoline exploration projects. China has been our all-weather friend as it has assisted Nepal even during the time of the recent blockade which ravaged the economy of our country. The Premier is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with both Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping in Beijing. He will emphasise Chinese assistance, mainly in the hydro-power sector, and he will also make sure the Chinese government will cooperate with Nepal on connecting Kathmandu with a railway network which will help diversify trade and commerce.

PM Oli must reach a deal on trade and transit agreement with the northern neighbor so that Nepal may not face any blockade from the other side in the future. This is the best opportunity for Nepal to reach a historic deal with the second largest economy in the world. After trade and transit treaties are signed with China, Nepal can import fuel even from China and do business with Europe using the Chinese trade routes connected to Europe and Central Asia.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu

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The whopping enthusiasm of the Nepali people before PM Oli’s China visit is for the finalisation of the deal with Petro China, which is still pending. Furthermore, PM Oli ought to outline diplomatic policy regarding foreign relationships in a way that would respect the sentiments of the resilient Nepali people. In order to boost and strengthen the relationship with the northern neighbour, he ought to take necessary initiatives in a way like never before. The Oli-led government should seek Chinese cooperation to build the Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi roads that have been damaged by the earthquake. Most importantly, Oli also needs to address some of the Chinese concerns such as the anti-Tibet activities taking place, especially in the aftermath of the earthquakes on Nepal’s northern borders.

Sanjog Karki, Tansen

Tradition

Apropos of the news story “Jhuma tradition on in Muktinath” (THT, March 10, Page 8), we frequently hear Jhuma Pratha which permits violence on women in the name of tradition and culture. The second daughter of the family is offered to the god in a gomba and the girl has to remain unmarried and spend her life in the service of the gomba. Poverty has mainly led to the perpetuation of this practice among the Buddhist communities. In the name of rituals, the girls are forced to serve in Buddhist monastery for their whole life. The public outcry against such a tradition is unheard of and the violence is rampant. Thousands of women are victimized in the name of rituals. The new constitution has empowered the womenfolk, and women have assumed some of the major constitutional posts.

Neela Adhikari, Kavre