Provide job opportunity

Apropos of the news story “NVP launches reconstruction network, lauds volunteerism” (THT, August 2, Page 2), the spirit to create and mobilize youth force in a sustainable manner in the reconstruction process through volunteerism is praiseworthy. However, reconstruction is not the process done within a few months. The mobilization of youths only through volunteerism is really challenging as the old adage goes “easier said than done”. Reconstruction needs a long term vision and plan. The integration of youths in the reconstruction process could be more effective and sustainable if the youths of a country like ours, where hundreds of thousands youths are unemployed, were mobilized through some technical and financial support. This is not to undermine the true spirit of volunteerism but even the volunteerism also needs means of survival and this can even inspire or stimulate a large number of youths who are committed to rebuild their nation. The social mobilisers should understand the fact that when earthquake struck the country on April 25 and May 12, it was the youths who came forth for immediate rescue, relief and recovery of thousands of people displaced by the natural disaster. The youths associated with one or the other political parties helped the people rebuild their houses and schools in remote areas. In the aftermath of the disaster youth have been unemployed. It is a good idea to create a pool of youth volunteers but they should also be given an opportunity to get employment within the country. On the other hand, empowerment and capacity building programs for the youths are necessary before they are mobilized. Youth volunteerism will become effective provided that they are given proper skill development training, financial support and opportunity of work within their locality.

Som Nath Ghimire, Kawasoti

Village tourism

This is with reference to the news story ‘’Promotion of village tourism stressed ‘’ (THT, July 31, Page 2). Speakers at a programme stressed the need to promote village tourism in order to attract more number of tourists and prolong their stay in Nepal. At the programme organized for marking the 19th anniversary of Village Tourism Promotion Forum (VTOF) Nepal, speakers said the foreign tourists should be taken to villages for understanding their nature, culture and lifestyle. What can be asserted more is the village tourism will certainly be helpful to promote rural tourism. Malaysia for example is one of the few countries which have been able to attract a large number of foreign tourists in the countryside. But the tourists will not visit the countryside unless we are able to provide basic facilities to our visiting guests. Rural areas of Nepal can definitely be a major attraction of village tourism.

Pratik Shrestha, Kathmandu