With regard to the letter in Nepali Times last week ("Kathmandu immigration"), I have something to add. I was leaving the airport for the US after visiting my parents in Nepal. On the way to the boarding area a police officer asked me for $100. When I asked her why, she replied that they were poor people and that they do not get a chance to make money like high-ranking officers. I said, no, sorry.

She then said, "I wish you a safe journey, that you do not have any accident while you are flying."
I could not believe she said that to me! As a Nepali, it had the psychological effect that it spelt bad luck. Then another policeman came up to me, a two-star one this time, and said, "Give her Rs 1,000. She is poor. She can use it for chya-pani."

I really felt so bad and angry because these people were wishing bad luck just before I was to fly. So I gave her Rs 500, because that was all I had. Why does the government allow these people to run such personal businesses at the airport? I know they have to pay a lot to get a posting at the airport. Isn't this is another form of corruption? They do this to everybody, and it is time the government stopped it. t
Suman Shrestha
USA