Ken Ohashi's portrayal ('The third war in Nepal', #170) of Nepal's victory in the third war is reassuring but it seems more like a self-serving statement. I truly hope his assessment is indeed true and that this is also an assessment of all those concerned with Nepal's development. It is interesting that most, if not all, of the reforms described are 'driven' by the World Bank. The piece completely ignores the reforms initiated by the government on its own or supported by other development partners over the years. This sounds more like the World Bank tooting its own horn rather than making a realistic assessment of the development challenges facing Nepal. Further, what striking change has the World Bank seen in the last two years or so in Nepal that it now considers the reform process so praiseworthy as compared to its own earlier, very negative assessment? This is clearly a stage-managed assessment to justify the World Bank's recent decision to suddenly and sharply increase its lending volume to Nepal.

Sabita Thapa,
Baneswor