Politically, Nepal has passed through many phases based on the whims of the political parties and (might be) in the interest of the external powers. Nonetheless, this situation also helped to make the voters more aware about the political situation. However, the illiteracy rate, especially in the rural areas, of Nepali people remained to be one of the drawbacks for them to realise the importance of their votes, which have made same old faces get elected time and again. Nepal has witnessed many political changes, but has failed to bring expected level of development and economic changes required for the overall social development.

Surprisingly, many old faces of Nepali Congress lost the election. The defeated leaders continue to blame their leadership for the debacle in both the polls and are publicly talking about seeking new leadership “New leadership needed in Congress: Koirala” (THT, April 10, Page 3).

Is it appropriate to blame only the leadership?  Is it not the entire NC senior leaders’ failure not to be able to convince their voters with their political performances? Is it not the failure of senior leaders who failed to stop their president from irresponsibly forming a jumbo Cabinet and registering impeachment motion against the then chief justice Karki?

I think, time has come for NC senior leaders to seriously contemplate their past political performances and make proper political strategy for future. If the NC itself fails to follow its own statute, how can it call itself a champion of democracy?

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Work rights

Australian senator Pauline Hanson has once again renewed her calls to strip international students of work rights in Australia. According to media reports, Hanson is of the view that the work rights international students get were making it difficult for Australians to get jobs.

According to her, those students who come to Australia to study “should be self-supporting”. The opportunity given to international students to do 20 hours work a week, says Hanson, is impacting the other Australians getting jobs. I do agree that leaders should try to enforce rules that work for the national interest, but by subscribing to extreme ideas like this, I don’t’ think she will be able to bring sustainable economic growth in her country — Australia. Almost every overseas student has to pay roughly $10,000 tuition fees in advance to the university before flying to Australia.

They invest this exorbitant fee to enter Australia not just to study but in the hope of laying the foundation of their bright future. In a country like Nepal, a student has to sell a good chunk of land for a semester fee in Australia because of weak Nepali currency. As a former international student here in Australia, I would not have been able to make Australia my education destination had there not been a part time work rights.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne