Mirmiray-ji wrote: "आशुजी, तपाईको नेपाली टाइम्‍सको कलममा लेख्‍नुहोला, नेपालीलाई शहर र ठाम परिष्‍कार राख्‍न किन नआएको होला? हाम्रा मँत्रीहरु, योजनाविदहरु देखि ऐरे धैरे लुईरे सवै कर्मचारीहरु विदेश गएर देखेका छन कस्‍ता सफा राखिनपर्छ भनेर।" Mirmiray-ji, What we -- Nepalis -- know and what we do are two different things. And the two do not match, and that's fine, for that's life. So, there's this huge knowing-doing gap -- as you have mentioned one example of this. But I am NOT worried about this gap. If we do all that we know, then we will NOT be humans, but gods and goddesses! :-) So, OK: We have a solid waste disposal problem in Kathmandu because we have never taken the time to think critically and then act decisively on the issue. Yes, we all share the goal: that of keeping Kathmandu clean. Nobody disputes this goal. What is at dispute is HOW to achieve that goal. Should we rely on traditional sweepers and cleaners who report to municipal officers? Should we being in private waste-disposal businesses who can clean up the mess and make a profit in the process? What do our environmentalists say about the issue? Are recycling waste products in KTM too costly (more inputs for fewer outputs); and if so, could we look for ways to lower that cost? And on and on . . . Mirmiray-ji, the point is: it's not enough to have to our planners visit various countries and come back with ideas. We have been doing that since 1951, and we have what we have today, which is far from ideal. So the point is this: Whenever there are PRIVATE issues are involved (say, about cleaning personal rooms and ghar), we tend to do a pretty good job. But whenever there are PUBLIC issues are involved (say, doing something to enhance the cleanliness around temples, parks, streets and so on), we tend to do a lousy job. The question is: What explains this private cleanliness and public squalor? After all, the people are the same. Why do they behave one way in one setting and the other way in another setting? Any effective solid waste management program needs to start by tryingt o answer that question, and then put in activities that reduce the level of solid waste problem in Kathmandu. My two cents. Thank you Mirmiray-ji for your kind words. Writing the NT column is fun, and I do it for the love of it. But, alas, truth be told, the power and the influence it's supposed to confer on me remains vastly exaggerated :-( oohi ashu