HELLO NEPAL

The Himalayan Times 24 December 2015 Children’s use Rauatahat district remained tense after one student was shot dead by security forces during demonstration on Sunday. A day after those incidents, irate students attacked and burnt down some police posts, pulled down compound wall of and picketed Area Police for four hours. They even attacked and burnt some government offices as well. It was very unfortunate to see the disgruntled parities involving students in the protests which is totally against the rights of the students to independently engage in teaching-learning process. It is really surprising to see the security personnel using excessive forces to quell people’s right to peaceful demonstration. And, it is really disturbing and unfortunate to see the students coming out in the streets and get killed during demonstration. Where are we leading the young students who are considered to be the future pillars of the nation? Why do not the ruling parties become ...

The Kathmandu Post 25 December 2015 FALSE PROMISES People must be happy to know that the PM KP Oli has promised to end load shedding within a year. However, many previous governments and ministers had made such promises too. But, concrete measures were not taken to fulfil those promises. In any case, it is easier said than done. Even so, things might turn around this time considering the hardships faced by the country and its people due to the “unofficial” trade blockade by the Indian government since the last three months. This situation had forced the government to seek alternatives to improve and strengthen the energy sector (“Fuel crisis prompts govt to mull 15-year plan” December 23, Money I). Time has come for the Oli government to put detailed plans and programmes in action to reduce the existing load shedding hours and assure the public that the government is serious this time. Those plans and programmes should be immediately implemented in order to comp...

The Kathmandu Post 18 December 2015                        UTTER FAILURE          It was extremely saddening to read the news report that earthquake victims are reeling under sever cold (“Victims shiver as parties bicker” 16 Dec, Page 1). Almost all the political leaders and their parties who were at helm made numerous promises to these victims. However, they are compelled to live in temporary shelters over seven months after the quake. More victims may lose their lives if the government fails to take swift act. It took eight months for the government just to table the National Reconstruction Bill in Parliament (“Govt pushes both bills through” 16 Dec. Page 1) and finally it has been passed. However, the tug of war among the major parties to appoint the CEO for the Reconstruction Authority has already begun. If it p...

The Himalayan Times ! 7 December 2015 End political bickering The Madhes unrest has been going on for almost four months putting the lives of the general people in great difficulty. If this situation continues for some time more, many human casualties are likely to occur which will be extremely painful to hear and bear. However, both the ruling and agitating parties do not seem to budge an inch from their political stands blaming each other for this political deadlock. It is very unfortunate to see the people continue to suffer from this destructive politics played by some political leaders for their own political benefits. What could have happened if the big three parties had waited for few more days to settle the political issues with the disgruntled forces before promulgating the new constitution? Now, the agitating parties have again started threatening to intensify their protest if the ruling parties do not become serious in solving the political issues (“UDM...

NO MORE FUN It was extremely painful to read the news report (“PM Oli spends 1.2m in food, entertainment” 25 Nov. Page 2, The Kathmandu Post) at a time when the nation is facing acute shortages of fuel and essential commodities caused by India’s unofficial trade embargo and Madhes unrest. What a shame is this on him who, before occupying Baluwatar, had promised to the people that he would leave no stone unturned to emancipate the nation and its people from the ongoing hardships. He already completed five weeks plus of his highest political helm doing nothing except trying to buy time for suppressing the constitutional and political inequalities being faced by Madhes and Tarai based people, which could be detrimental both for him and the nation. His recent address to the nation was nothing but a bundle of false promises. There were no concrete plans and programmes to tackle the ongoing issues. Black marketing in fuel and other essential items is rampant (“19 pumps char...

The Himalayan Times 26 November 2015 Promises It is definitely a delightful news for the general people of Nepal to know that the country will be completely free from the ongoing load-shedding within a year as reported in “Load-shedding will become history within a year” (THT, 24 Nov, Page 9). It is really encouraging to know about this earlier from PM Oli during his recent address to the nation and now from Top B. Rayamajhi, Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister. Such similar assurances were also given by past governments. However, they never materialized, rather the load-shedding hours continued to increase.   According to NEA, the current installed capacity of the nation is around 800 MW which drops down to around 300 MW during dry season. However, the total demands during the peak seasons stands at around 1400 MW which is far beyond the current power outputs being generated in the country. Is it possible to generate additional 1100 MW within one yea...

MENSTRUAL EXILES - Post Report , Kathmandu Nov 22, 2015- The people in the rural areas continue to strictly follow their traditional cultures and practices in-spite of facing many difficulties. As a result, these deep-rooted practices cannot be easily uprooted. Among them, chhaupadi still persists in the rural areas of mid-western and far western districts (‘Chhaupadi practice still continues in Dailekh villages,’ November 18, Page 2). This age-old practice is deeply ingrained in the minds of the rural folks. They hesitate to discontinue this belief as they strongly believe that their family members or animals will either get sick or die if they do not keep menstruating women separately. Some women have even lost their lives while observing this illogical tradition. Many women feel very vulnerable during the first three days of their menstruation. So, they need nutritious food, warm clothes and a clean surrounding. It is very unfortunate and sad to see ...

Humanitarian support It was overwhelming to read the news “Humanitarian airlifts to continue” (THT, 17 Nov. Page 2) pertaining to continuation of airlifting of food and other humanitarian items to the earthquake effected people in the hilly regions of Nepal with the gracious financial support received from Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Many thanks to WHO for its initiations with these countries for acquiring necessary funds required for the noble cause. Winter is almost close to the doorsteps. If the humanitarian supports are not provided to the affected people in these hilly areas on time, the chances of human casualties are very high. The attention of new government led by PM Oli has been drawn elsewhere. It’s been almost six months after the devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 rector scale that shook the nation. Thousands of effected people are spending nights in temporary shelters without even warm clothes and proper foods. The government had already an...