This is in response to Shiva Neupane’s letter titled “Holi excuse” (THT, March 14, Page 8). The erstwhile noble and divine festival of colours gets presently “celebrated” in the most barbaric fashion possible. Thanks to certain philistines and vested interests, Holi is increasingly getting branded as the day in which a “license” is issued to molest the womenfolk! In this sorry perspective, it is natural that women will get subjected to sexual atrocities in the name of “celebrating” Holi with them. Again the young boys and girls, who try to attain “modernity” by engaging in public display of affection, discard all sense of decency and civility during Holi and visually pollute the environment. And there exists a brute section of revelers whose enjoyment in Holi depends upon the nuisance they can create in public. Thus, they unhesitatingly sprinkle rubbish, paint on the pedestrians or commuters in trains causing serious accidents, eye injuries and even death. It is high time the concerned authorities awarded exemplary punishment to the philistine lot and urgently reinstate the noble festival to its former purity and glory.

Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata 

Cricket    

Apropos of the news story “Nepal crush Kenya for their first win over Africans” (THT, March 14, Page 1). It is good news that Nepali Cricket team crushed Kenya by seven wickets in ICC World Cricket League Championship match held in TU Stadium, Kritipur on Monday. Nepal lost first match by 5 wickets whereas Nepali players returned in the game with spectacular performances and became successful to fetch name and fame. Whatever the Nepali cricketers are doing, it is a matter of happiness for all Nepali cricket lovers. They are doing it all through their individual efforts. But Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has done nothing for the development of cricket in Nepal. Instead, it has been marred by political wrangling and leg-pulling.. So, the first priority of the government is to rescue CAN from political maneuvering. Similarly, CAN still has a long way to go ahead along with clear vision to develop cricket which has huge potential.

Magar Bharat Khotange, Kathmandu

There were more than 10,000 spectators to watch the recent cricket game for ICC World Cricket League Championship between Nepal and Kenya in TU cricket ground, Kirtipur. But the ground and its parapets are not suitable for any international match. They need to be upgraded to make it upto international standards. The seats on the parapets, rest-rooms, drinking water facilities, emergency clinic and parking lots need to be taken care of. If the organizers take a certain amount of money as entry fee, the spectators also expect some facilities inside the stadium. As cricket is becoming popular in Nepal, the government must build well-equipped stadiums so that people can enjoy the matches in a comfortable manner.

Prajwal Rijal, Kathmandu