I t is difficult for the people to be heard when they have no representation. Despite the overwhelming desire for an end to the conflict, there is no organised way for Nepalis to express this wish. Political parties haven't given up the antics that brought us to this sorry state, and politicised civil society groups often have vested interests and speak with hidden agendas.

This year's Himalmedia public opinion poll once again goes directly to the people to find out what they think. More than 3,300 Kathmandu Valley residents, nearly half of them migrants from various parts of Nepal, were asked last week where the country is headed, where they wish it was headed and how to go about it. We doubt if anyone is listening, but on the people's behalf, we paraphrase their Dasain wishlist:

1. Water, clean air, jobs.
2. It doesn't matter who declares it first, it doesn't matter if it is unilateral or bilateral, but we want a truce at least over Dasain-Tihar.
3. Stop paying lip service to peace, stop turning it into a political slogan, show us you mean what you say.
4. We don't want a fig-leaf election. First get an agreement on truce and talks.
5. The government must prove it is serious about delivering services by at least ensuring relief and rehabilitation to those directly hurt by the conflict.
6. Never close schools, never target children and never force them to attend indoctrination and military training.
7. No political force, whether underground or otherwise, must enforce bandas and blockades with the threat of violence.
8. The targeting of unarmed civilians, abductions, disappearances and extra-judicial killings by both sides must stop immediately.
9. The Maoists must renounce violence and join the political mainstream, the king must restore power back to the people, the political parties must prove they have mended their ways.
10. Find and punish the corrupt.