I have been listening to the BBC Nepali service daily over the internet since February 1, 2005. I appreciate the coverage especially given a very difficult situation for local media outlets in the country. I think the BBC?s journalism is fair and balanced although I have qualms about a particular topic.

Nepali staffs at the BBC in London seem to have an impression that things in Nepal are hunky dory since the King's takeover on February 1. Mr Rabindra Mishra stated that much in his most recent article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4502455.stm). And just yesterday (Wednesday May 11), the BBC Nepali service interviewer (not sure if he was Mr. Khagendra Nepali or Mr. Jitendra Raut because he was not Mr Mishra - I recognize his voice) during an interview with Madav Nepal asserted that the security situation in Nepal was improving and that the bureaucracy was working efficiently since the February 1 coup. I would have preferred that the interviewer attributed those arguments to the supporters of the current regime and NOT presented them as facts.

I am guessing that the BBC Nepali Service staffs in London formed their views on Nepal from reporters based in Kathmandu, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj. If that is the case, then the reporters are obviously misreporting the realities on the ground. May be they should be cajoled to venture into the villages and see the realities there rather than make opinion about the situation of the country from their experiences in the urban areas. I can't say whether Nepali bureaucracy has improved since February 1 but I can certainly say that security situation has not. My family moved from a village in western district of Nepal to Pokhara in the late 1990s mainly because of the Maoists, but we still own a house and some farmlands there. My brother goes back and forth every few months. He just got back from his trip last week. When I asked him if the situation in our village had improved, he said NO. Actually, things have gotten worse not only in our village but also in the surrounding areas. And just three weeks ago, a relative moved from Pokhara to Kathmandu because of the deteriorating situation there.

When the BBC Nepali service staffs interview Mandale ministers, they show unnecessary deference, which they don't show to others. Also the interviewers never asked tough questions, like how can the current regime say that they represent Nepali people's aspirations when we know that the center, and left of center parties have consistently garnered >75% of the votes in all the elections. The pro-monarchy parties, the RPPs never crossed the 20% ceiling. And Kirti Nidhi Bista, when ran in the last election won less than 200 votes. I suggest that the interviewers ask these types of questions next time they get the opportunity.

Please understand that I am not a fan of Girija, Nepal or Deuba. Those leaders should be "punished" for poor leadership but that "punishment" must come from the people (in votes) and not from the feudal king.

कहिले कसको कहिले कसको अनतर्वार्ता लिएकै छ त।