Dear Mr Bajracharya,

We are writing to you as mayor of our fair city of Patan to ask what on earth you are doing at the Bagmati Bridge taking two months to dig three enormous holes. The labourers there tell us you are building a "Welcome to Patan" gate. Stop this megalomania at once.

If there is one thing we don't need more of in Nepal, it is gates. This nation has a fixation on gates. There is a welcome gate at the airport that is neither functional, nor tasteful and it is in total disharmony with the surroundings. Maoists are busy erecting martyr gates all over their territory. Mr Mayor, if you were really concerned about the welfare of your voters you should plough the money you are wasting on that gate to give us street lights that work, Ashoka Stupas that are not blotted by concrete high rises, garbage that is collected, and pot hole-free streets. Save the erections for later.

Yours truly,
Patan Residents