I was shocked upon reading the news report (‘Many Nepalis hope to reach Europe. But their dreams end in Libya’, June 20) that Nepalis who can afford to pay Rs5 million to go abroad, instead of starting something back home. Even if this amount was a loan, would it not be better to use this on entrepreneurial ventures in Nepal? Many people are making a good life here by running poultry, kiwi, and ostrich farms, among others.

I feel sorry for the unskilled workers that have to leave for the Gulf countries to earn a living and send money back home. And I understand the need to go abroad to study by obtaining legitimate student visas. However, I feel that part of the blame lies with the people attempting to immigrate illegally to Western countries and not solely with the human traffickers. People cannot despair over traffickers cheating them, because they themselves were attempting to cheat the asylum system in another country.

I'm a stateless person in my own country, as my mother is Nepali and my father is a foreigner. I have never knocked on the door of my father’s country to acquire citizenship. I cannot even earn money by driving public transport because I have no driving licence due to lack of citizenship. But what about those people who choose to immigrate illegally? They have all the rights and opportunities as citizens to take loans to start businesses, or to apply for jobs legally.

The news had depth, and I do feel sorry for them. But, being trafficked unknowingly and knowingly are two different things.

Suraj Hazare Dahal, Pokhara