Going undercover for research is one thing but 'integrity' in reporting is another. Pranav Budathoki ('Nepalis go underground in Britain', #230) needs to possess more ethics in his writing so as not to mention real names in a national newspaper unless he asked their permission which he would not if he was undercover. Working in restaurants or grocery stores is not lowly as he implicitly assumes. At the same time, these same people may not be illegal migrants as he implies and may be completing their higher level education by funding themselves, an effort which I salute.

Kavita Rai,
Bristol, UK

. It was really distressing to read the report by Pranav Budhathoki in a newspaper of the standard of Nepali Times. Illegal immigration is a big problem and Nepalis along with tens of thousands of eastern Europeans and South Asians in the United Kingdom are obviously subject to extreme exploitation in the illegitimate economy. However, to paint the picture of the grim scenario in such a pathetic way as Budhathoki did adds salt to the wounds of the sufferers. He and you in the editorial team should have realised the shortcomings of the Nepalis back home. The conditions there are worse than in the UK and only a portion of the Nepali immigrants are actually 'underground' in Britain. Many Nepalis have secured better jobs and are paid reasonably well. Although the students are working at hotels and restaurants or even cleaning hospitals, many have studied in universities having earned tuition fees with years of hard work. It will be the country, Nepal or Britain that will reap the reward of their hard-earned university degree. How can the students fund sky-high univeristy fees without earning a few pounds on the side? Their work has helped strengthen the British economy itself. They pay taxes as British citizens do. Instead of appreciating their hard work, derogatory articles like this will add salt to the wounds of Nepali immigrants. The first or the second generation of Indian and Chinese immiogrants suffered and worked hard, and look where their children are now. In future, Nepali Times should avoid such one-sided reports that tarnish the reputation of Nepalis as a whole.

R Kafle,
London