CK Lal in 'State of paranoia' (#12) seems to say three things: that we should hang in shame for our social ills, that we were wrong to show nationalism in the web and that we weren't clever enough to use the BBC debate effectively. Needless to say, all three are wrong.
First, no country hangs itself for its social problems, the country works toward solving them. Second, the outpouring in the web is right, because such responses are needed to counter increasing Indian propaganda. No matter where one is living, Nepalis take pride in being Nepali. Finally, these responses have been effective as evidenced by the BBC's retraction and apology.
Even more pitiful was Mr Lal's misunderstanding of the answers given by Nepalis around the globe. The answers were quite simple-that Nepal will not be better off under the Indian umbrella, because many states under the Indian umbrella are still far worse than Nepal, that the country will survive because it has survived so for many centuries, and that it should, because we take pride in our country's existence.
Sameer Shrestha
Kathmandu
CK Lal deserves thanks for 'State of paranoia' (#12), he stands alone in the media hysteria to question the overreaction on the part of the government to a debate that (however the question may have been formulated) in the end turned out to be of utmost benefit to Nepal and Nepalis.
J Gurung
Pokhara
A quiz doing the rounds of krazy Katmandu. If a half-drunk bully gets hold of your wife's hands at a party, do you:
1. Use the null hypotheses
2. Pretend the bully doesn't exist
3. Blame your measly salary and your lousy house
4. Call for a general debate
Shouldn't there have been a fifth and more natural choice: "firmly push the bully away and ask questions later"? Mr Lal, please advise.
Bibhuti Man Singh.
Kathmandu
On the delightfully provocative debate on whether Nepal should come under an Indian security umbrella (#12). Surely, with an avowedly Hindu government now ruling India, and Nepal being the only Hindu kingdom in the world this union should be the other way round? In other words, shouldn't India secede and join Nepal?
PKS Iyer
London
