Following the disastrous earthquake on Saturday many historical monuments, temples and old buildings in the Kathmandu Valley have been reduced to rubble. They were the symbols of civilization of the valley which boasts of being a city of temples. It will take years even decades to reconstruct them to regain their glory. The Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the most important cites as well as UNESCO world heritage sites which need to be restored immediately. The government must come out with a detailed plan of action about the ways to reconstruct and renovate them without further delay. The scene of quake-caused devastation will remain in people’s minds forever. No stone should be left unturned to reconstruct them as they represent the art, culture, religion and even history of the human civilization in the Valley.

The world community, especially the UNESCO, should extend its support for the reconstruction of these monuments, including the Bhimsen Stambha. Such monuments had been destroyed during the 1934 earthquake but were restored by the then government. The people should also cooperate with the government in its efforts to reconstruct them. The quicker the reconstruction process begins, the better it is.

Ankush Acharya, Kathmandu

Be prepared

The big earthquake in Nepal just reiterates the need to be prepared to survive a natural disaster or a man-made catastrophe. Can you survive without all the man-made comforts that surround you everyday? No money, no stores to supply you food and drinkable water, no gasoline, no security, limited transportation, no power, no heat or communication, no medical help or supplies, and maybe as in Nepal, no safe shelter?The first 30 days are critical in any kind of situation like this. Are you ready?

Micahel Shanon Mays,

Colorado, USA

Act soon

Government briefings to the media suggest that international support is pouring in to help the earthquake victims. A number of flights have been made by various friendly countries with financial and material support and they have already arrived at the country’s only international airport. But the reports coming in from earthquake districts, including Gorkha and Dhading, suggest that no relief materials, including tents and foods, have reached to those districts which are very close from the capital city. The relief materials offered by the friendly countries should have reached to the needy people within 24 hours as these people are living under the open sky without food and makeshifts to cover themselves from heat and rain. Gorkha district which was the epicenter of the 7.6 in the Richter scale; Dhading and Sindhupalchowk are the most affected areas where so many people perished. The relief materials have not been distributed even in the core areas of the Kathmandu Valley.

Pratibha Poudel, Gorkha