I am extremely perturbed when I witness the leaders of both the army and the Maoists sacrificing their youth to fight a war without a plan to win the peace ('Gun men', #207). I even marvel at the blind faith of these brave soldiers. The mindset that believes in a military solution is dangerously obsolete. It would be more patriotic to question the authorities about the root causes of Nepal's evils. Instead of being mere puppets to those incumbent leaders who are incapable of coming up with peace plans, engulfed with defective strategies to serve their own purpose, it is time to stand against them till they put the country's interest ahead of their personal ones. While I was in Nepal, I believed that the Nepali army was the best in the world. I still believe that is true. Coming from a family that has time and again served the nation, it is upsetting to witness the current mistrust and apprehension the nation is showing towards its soldiers. The very army which every young Nepali boy would strive to join is being scrutinised with fear and even contempt. The Royal Nepali Army needs to regain the glory bequeathed to it by its forbears.

S Parul,
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