Nepal: Shopping for helicopters

Shopping for helicopters

By RAZEN MANANDHAR

How on earth can I convince the government that this peace-loving country is in dire need of helicopters, and more helicopters. I quote those intelligent geographers who now say that Nepal’s geography is complicated? In fact, it is true. If you don’t believe it, then take a round in a helicopter and look from above, you see hills and mountains only. OK. I have no Nepal-ko-graph.

You may say: if we need so many things in this world, why are we talking about helicopters only? You may add if we already have a dozen or so of such flying objects, then why do we ask for more?

Everybody knows that the situation of this country is changing — day by day. In the past we used helicopters to carry foodstuff to remote areas, to take every successive prime minister on supersonic tours around the country during election campaigns, and we even used them to shower flowers during auspicious occasions. But such purposes do not get much attention these days as other pressing needs have come up.

Now we need some more sophisticated helicopters to carry dead bodies of our security personnel to the capital. It is not unfamiliar that soldiers die in wars. It is so disappointing that we can’t bring the bodies back to Kathmandu in time to cremate them at Aryaghat.

The bodies of our soldiers lie in remote areas for days. They deserve a better treatment. After all, they die during "search and destroy" operations. Just imagine how long they had searched for terrorist hideouts and how they put up against all odds before attaining Veergati. We the intelligent citizens — the political leaders, government staff and social workers -- must do something to pay tribute to the brave soldiers.

Incidents take place so often and we have only a few helicopters. And you know, the ministers make it a point to visit the site after every terrorist attack. We can’t say "no" to them because most of the ministers are from those areas and it is an opportunity for them to meet their voters. All the helicopters are "house-full" these days.

We swear, we won’t let anyone misuse the fund. We have a glorious record of successful aircraft purchasing. It’s amazing the people have become so pessimist that they smell fishy whenever we talk about buying any vehicle.

While going for shopping, we should see that the helicopters must not be like those which do not fly even after making sacrifices, just like the recently purchased Indian helicopters or the much-hyped night vision chopper that is gathering dust inside a hanger because its "crucial parts" are not available in the local market.

http://www.nepalnews.com/

Also:

Maoist blockade creates tedious problems for district

By Shyam Bhatta

BAITADI, March 18:The price of goods in the district is feared to rise to soaring heights and around 17,000 students appearing the School Leaving Examination (SLC) this year, will be severely affected following a blockade in transportation at Satbanjh area of the district, said sources here.

Transportation entrepreneurs have ceased to resume road service from Satbanjh to the headquarters of the district, Patan, 20 kilometers west from the area, following a threatening letter that was said to be sent by Maoists through the hand of a young boy, recently.

This has affected passengers bound to other districts like Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham and Darchula. The populace in the region is bound to make a long de-tour via an Indian road to Mahendranagar. Even Urba Datta Panta, a lawmaker from this district used an Indian route to attend the District Council convention, here.

Following the adjournment of vehicles plying daily from Mahendra Nagar and Dhangadi to district headquarters, people in the area are worried of the price hike. "If transportation doesn’t operate in the district for a week, we will have to face soaring price hikes as the cost of goods brought in via the Indian road will become costlier," said Mohan Chand, a local merchant.

"More than 17,000 students appearing the SLC examination from remote parts of this district will be affected by the Maoist blockade on transportation," said Surya Prasad Adhikari, chief at the District Education Office (DEO).

However, the local administration says the incident could be a ‘rumor’. According to sources at the District Administration Office (DAO), a massive operation by security forces is being conducted on around 40 kilometers off the Satbanjha area, but there are no evident signs of rebels seen in the area.

The DAO further adds that a bus from Mahendranagar, guarded by security personnel reached Patan on Sunday night, and left the district headquarters on Monday, this week.

http://www.nepalnews.com/