Artha Beed's 'Moral police needed' (#299) reflects a sorry state of affairs regarding Nepal's public life. An emphasis on rights rather than duties has shattered the myth that democracy is synonymous only with enforcing one's free will. Whether it is trying to queue in a government office, driving amidst chaotic traffic or arguing with a neighbour when his dog disturbs the neighbourhood, there is something wrong with our psyche that puts self-interest before common welfare. While our educational institutions may take pride in churning out qualified citizens each year, it is doubtful that they have been endowed with the sense to contribute towards a better functioning society. While the state should work to provide essential public goods, rules and regulations should either be enforced strictly or not adopted at all.

Shyamal Shrestha,
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