After reading Trading power (#108) by Binod Bhattarai, it struck me that Nepalis must get over the mindset that we always need to dance to the tune of the Indians (even if their cronies in this country would like us to believe that we must). Have we not learned enough lessons by making deals such as Kosi and others with the Indians? We have always been an independent country and let us continue to exercise our independence. We must use the surplus electric power and much more that we can generate for our own use, if needed, by subsidising electricity while removing subsidy on imported fossil fuel.

Let us use electricity for transport, industry and household needs. Let us go ahead and light our villages and towns while the villages and towns on the other side of the border remain in the dark. When this happens, the pressure from our neighbours beyond our borders will be enough to force their politicians to purchase power from us-which we know will be beneficial for everybody (them and us).

R Khadga
Kathmandu