After the political changes in Nepal last year, many national symbols were altered. We are getting a new national anthem, the coat arms has been changed. But the fact that our sun and moon flag was left alone shows just how potent this symbol of our national identity is.

Yet, the way this flag is being dragged on the ground by the national airline that carries it is a disgrace. It shows that just by dropping 'Royal' from its name hasn't changed the way Nepal Airlines is managed and operated. It also shows the political apathy for the airline's growth as well as interference by successive governments. The airline has only two aircraft for its international flights and they are mostly grounded. Whenever one goes off for routine maintenance, the airline's schedules go haywire. This time, the airline is taking a Druk Air plane on lease. It just shows Bhutan, which despite its landlocked topography has managed to allows its airline to grow, and underlines the total mismanagement of our national airline. Neither the current government nor the concerned minister seem to have any new ideas about rescuing the airline. If that's the case it is better to pull the plug on an airline that is in a coma. Because allowing it to function would just spread a negative image about the country.