Isn't it ironic that CK Lal became a businessman overnight when it came to giving NRNs advice ('Homecoming', #165)? Nepal should welcome anyone who wants to contribute in whatever way possible. We should even welcome non-Nepalis to Nepal if they want to make Nepal home. We should open our arms and say please come. Nepal needs more enlightened beings, not just those with cash. We probably shouldn't take Lal seriously since he writes to whip up controversy. I have not read a single article by him where he supports something. I get the sense that he is always anti everything, except his beloved kangresis.

Prakash Bhandari,
email

. CK Lal has it wrong when he writes "we should deal with overseas Nepalis with rationalism, and not nationalism". The Nepali diaspora includes students, asylum seekers, refugees, professionals, illegal immigrants, labourers, maids, employees of INGOs, etc. They have been driven out of Nepal because of social, economic and political misfortunes, or to seek a better living abroad. Lal's view that "those who have taken the citizenship of other countries aren't our responsibility" is therefore not right. The Nepali state must take full responsibility for driving out thousands of its citizens because of its irresponsible governance and inability to provide basic needs like peace, freedom and security. If they want to return, it should welcome them back irrespective of whether or not they hold citizenship of another country.

Kiran Chalise,
Australia