Apropos of the news story “Journo Mishra quits BBC to make foray into politics” (THT, March 1, Page 2), it is good news that renowned journalist and chief of BBC Nepali Service, Rabindra Mishra, has quit his post to make a foray into politics with the intention to promote “transparency, integrity and meritocracy” in the country.

There is no doubt that the present political parties in Nepal cannot rescue the nation from regression. So, I want to express my solidarity with the vision, mission and goal of Mishra to dismantle the dirty game in politics.

Thousands of Nepalese are frustrated due to mediocre performance of the major political parties which have failed to deliver service to the people. It is true that a group committed to the people can translate their vision into action.

Furthermore, the existing leadership is almost disqualified to lead the nation towards prosperity and lifting millions of people from poverty. So, it is meaningless to expect the present leaderships of all major political parties will make a new Nepal under the new constitution that they drafted.

But time will tell whether the Mishra-led party will emerge as an alternative political force or just remain a letter head party confined to tweeter or facebook run by leisurely urban youths and intellectuals.

Magar Bharat Khotange, Kathmandu

Abortion

It was encouraging to know that the government a few years ago decided to legalize abortion in the country.

However, it seemed that it did not make the desired level of effort to create awareness among the population, especially in the rural areas, about unsafe abortion.

Many NGOs working in the reproductive health and women empowerment sector have also failed to create awareness among the rural women about unsafe abortion. Both the government and the NGOs should plan a massive awareness campaign in the coming days to save the lives of many innocent women.

Illegal abortion is on the rise even in urban areas causing untimely death of many women as reported “Illegal and unsafe abortions put women’s lives at risk” (THT, February 28, Page 4). Women are found to be visiting abortion centres without getting proper advice of a surgeon or a specialist and ending up with reproductive complications.

Fearing family members and the community, many women go for illegal and unsafe options thereby risking their lives. Visiting unregistered centres where unhygienic equipment are used can cause infections leading to further health complications.

Data from CREHPA 2014-15 shows that abortion is the third leading cause of maternal death in Nepal and seven percent of total maternal deaths. This is an alarming situation which demands immediate action from the government and its concerned authorities.

Due to lack of government’s proper monitoring and supervision system, many unregistered abortion centres are operating in densely populated cities where unsafe abortions are done.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj