TAPLEJUNG, March 6: Senior ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit, known as the 'God of vision', has said that the prosperity of eastern Nepal is possible with good relations and trade promotion with China.

He has also requested the top political leadership to prioritize the development of the country.

During an eye camp organized in Phak Tanglung Rural Municipality of Taplejung, his native village, he told media persons that since China is a good friend of Nepal, harmonious relations should be established between the two countries.

He said that since roads are the main backbone of development, the north-south road network should be completed quickly, bringing a new dimension to the trade relations with Nepal, China and India. 

Dr Ruit said that the construction of the Mulghat-Dovan-Olangchungola road connecting North-South should be completed soon and the tri-nation trade network should be put into use as soon as possible.

For this, he said, establishing high-level diplomatic relations with China and establishing tripartite business relations with Lhasa and Shigatse through the North-South road network will promote trade. 

Dr Ruit also recalled that in the past when Tibet was far from China's main commercial center in terms of distance, essential goods came and went to Tibet through Olangchungola in Nepal.

The Mulghat-Dovan-Olangchungola Road has reached Suke Pani from Lelep and Bagar from Olangchungola. 

Rajiv Lamichhane, the site in-charge of the road construction company, said that there is about one and a half kilometers left to extend the road towards Olangchungola. The distance from Mulghat to Nepal-Tibet border in Tiptala is 217 km.

According to the road plan, the distance from Tiptala to Riu Market in Tibet, a self-autonomous region of China, is 30 km. A 25 kilometers road from Olangchungola to Tiptala has already been opened, while the Dingji County Government in Riu has built the road from Tiptala to Riu suitable for any time of the year. Now, if the rest of the Suke Paani area is cut open, a three-country road network will be established between Nepal-India-China within a short distance.

Stating that access to health services in Nepal is ineffective, Dr Ruit said that eye health should be linked with primary health and a common mechanism should be made in the health sector. On a different note, he said that there are very few leaders who have a vision for the country's development in Nepal. He believes that the development of the country has been halted due to the tendency to ignore the agenda of development and take advantage of the petty interests of the leaders.

 
• Dr.Ruit
 
• Taplejung