I don't mean to sound like a communalist, but communalism or casteism are what seem to prevail in Nepal, going by the list of new secretaries. Every time the government announces appointees, political or otherwise, I look to see if there is a wider representation from Nepal's ethnic diversity. I look at the current list of ambassadors and CDOs, and check how many are Magar, Rai, Limbu, Tamang, or Gurung. Sadly, their representation is almost nil. What did the 30 years of so called suited-to-the-soil Panchayat regime and over a decade of democracy bring for the Tamangs and other ethnic groups? Absolutely nothing. Are they not part of mainstream Nepal? When will we have true national integration? To a large extent, the long-term solution to the Maoists or similar problems lies in addressing the grievances of various ethnic groups.

S Prakash, by email

. At the all-party mass meeting in Kathmandu recently, the president of a national party was not allowed to speak in Hindi on the grounds of it being anti-nationalist. The incident throws up complex questions concerned with the core of Nepali nationhood and democracy. What is a nation? The essence of nationalism in these countries lies in "unity in diversity"-a common sentiment that binds people in spite of differences. This implies that speaking in Hindi in Nepal strengthens national loyalty by integrating people who speak this language into the mainstream and accepting the principle of diversity. Then there is the perception of nationalism among Nepalis. Is our unity and patriotism so fragile that it will be shattered if someone speaks in a language that might not be spoken by the majority population? There is a false perception that to be a good nationalist, one has to be anti-tarai and alienate that section of the nation because their distinct habits, language and way of life are similar to India. This is pseudo-nationalism.

A large section of pahadis have found it difficult to accept madhesis as an intrinsic part of Nepal. This discrimination has made it difficult for madhesis to reach decision-making posts in the higher echelons of the government. Just look at the figures: only two SP's and one SSP in the police belong to southern Nepal. Only eight of the country's 75 CDO's are madhesis. While there is one school for every 100 households in the hills, the tarai belt has only one school for 400 households. Among 15 educationally disadvantaged groups, 11 are from the tarai.

Pahadis need to shed their anti-tarai attitude, and promote national consolidation and greater participation of tarai people in national affairs. This must be done with utmost care so that the pahadi-madhesi divide doesn't go deeper and break Nepal's fragile socio-political stability. But the silence of the major political parties about this discrimination is deafening. Nationalism requires people of all hues and walks of life to live in harmony, and accept each other as Nepalis.

Prashant Jha,
Delhi University

. I really wonder why people think the monarchy is Nepal's great saviour? What have we gained over the past centuries besides poverty, illiteracy and serious social problems? It is only the Nepali people who can save the country by developing it, educating themselves and make multiparty democracy work.

K Timsina, by email