Going Green With Bicycles

There was good news published on January issue of Nubiz about the Laxmi Bank going green. The bank's initiative to encourage staff to ride bicycle to office at least a day in a week is really commendable. That is something every corporate house and company should choose to do. It not only helps make the environment greener but also is a healthy way to reach office.

It would be better, if we, the working people, can do it voluntarily rather than imposed by our bosses. Riding a bicycle is the best option over the car or the motorbike. Bicycles also help expand the crowded and squeezed streets like ours. And it also adds some relief to the parking space crisis.

Reading about the green program I am planning to opt for similar way to reach office. And I am surely going to discuss with my colleagues on the greener, healthier and economic way to reach my workstation. But I â'm still not that much sure how much the roads of Kathmandu are suitable for bicycles.

- Binaya Khatiwada

 Kalopul, Kathmandu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Corporate Responsibility  

'CSR a Useless Concept ?  an article by Catrin Froehlich sparked a thought in my mind. The Nepali corporate houses may claim that they are making huge non-profit contributions to the society in the name of corporate social responsibility (CSR). But as Froehlich rightly pointed out, mostly, there are some long term profit motives attached to any CSR initiative. The corporate houses are always looking for a win-win situation. I don't think business houses pour money into anything in the name of CSR without looking for any return. A bank  investing  in sponsoring educating students in a school is certain that those students in  future will open accounts or buy shares of the bank and also work as the agents to encourage others to  buy  services and products of that bank. Similarly, they foresee a lot of businesses and calculate the return of CSR activities. On the other hand, CSR activities are the publicity stunts, too, to grab the attention of consumers towards the brand names in less cost than the cost of media advertisements.

- Srijana Shrestha

Bhaktapur

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is HR Solutions

Thank you so much for publishing the HR Kurakani on your reputed magazine.  I would like to bring into notice the major mistake in the article i.e. the name of our organization is Real solutions but it has been written in the beginning of the article as HR solutions.

Thanking you!

- Kriti

meroJob.com

(We regret the error. - Ed.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicks Will Grow

The Cover Story of January 2011 issue titled as Chicks are Growing put forward a very positive picture of poultry business that is growing by 30 per cent annually. This is the industry at the common people's level and it can be operated in the backyard of village homes. Poultry farming can be done by any farmer or anyone interested. It is not only the source of cash for the farmers but also a contributor to the national economy. The Cover Story says it all: this industry is contributing some three per cent to the GDP.

      It is good that the Nepali poultry farmers are not so much scared now of the diseases like bird flu as they are now more aware about how to fight such incidences when they appear. Meanwhile, the availability of veterinary doctors and medicines is expanding to help the farmers. The availability of big markets in the urban areas is being utilised by the farmers and this industry provides ample evidence that the Nepali farmers are quite adept to adapt to the changing market situation no matter what their level of education may be.

      However, the story also reveals that the per capita consumption of poultry meat is still low in the country.  The consumption of poultry products should be encouraged due to its nutritional value. If that can be done, there is even a bigger market prospects. That means more income for the farmers and also the nation. We should not forget the market in our neighbouring countries as well. The quality products will always get a place everywhere. If food processing industries can be established, agro based and especially poultry related business will benefit the most.

      The trend shows this industry is growing and there is prospect for more growth. The state must be promoting this sector in all possible ways so as to make this business self-reliant and stronger to become even the international supplier. I believe chicks are growing and will continue to grow in the future too.

- Rabindra Pudasaini
Chitwan