Opportunity

Without failure there is something inside of me which makes me question everyday, what can I do to make the lives of ordinary Nepalese people better. I am sure that there are thousands of people like me spread all across the globe with some kind of desire to change Nepal for the better. As a fellow Nepali what I would say is that you should take the opportunities that life has gifted you, because that is exactly what this is when you compare to the hardship back home. Especially to the youth of my age living abroad, do not ever forget the privilege you have, children back home would die for the doors you can access. It does not matter which path you choose to follow but do not ever waste the life your parents have built for you. It's funny to consider that many of our parents have been working in a foreign country for the majority of their lives, not from choice however, they do this because it is the best they can manage with the doors that were open to them. It's not the same for us. Yes there are other factors like discrimination and racism, but remember that those hurdles are not the same. Understand where you come from, and use that to drive you to get where you need to be.

The future of any country depends on the youth of today who will subsequently become the leaders of tomorrow. Consider the fact that to become a leader you do not have to become a politician. There are many industries which are popping up all around Nepal, imagine what they could manage to achieve if they had qualified leaders with a vision for the long future ahead. There are thousands of very successful Nepalese people living throughout the world. However, this potential and talent has not been utilised in Nepal due to the failures of the political leadership to offer a secure future at home. Some people will argue that these people are simply running away however it is the professors, the academics and those with businesses who are the first to be targeted when there is any upheaval.
Yes, the revolution is over but there is still a huge lack of security and stability. If Nepal is to go forward, it has to find a way to establish peace and security for its people.

I hope the life that the Nepali youth found after the earthquake to bring about positive change becomes a force for the long and hard future. But, with the sky high unemployment rates and migration to other countries this hope becomes harder to fathom. I would ask every Nepali to consider this, its something a very wise man said once and applies now as much as it ever did ''ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Unclear Future.

It is a time of great uncertainty in Nepal. Our political landscape changes as frequently as the seasonal rain. Looking at the situation of Nepal from afar there is a sense of fear and anger within me. Nothing is clear, people seem to be divided, there is a tension that I can sense from just watching the daily news and interviews. Mistrust and self-gain are driving our aged politicians into a corner that they're not willing to give up. I am hugely suspicious of India's geo-political foreign goals in the region. I may be laughed at for this speculation but I sense that the Madesh is going to stir up new troubles within Nepal. Almost to the same effect that we saw in the now-invaded crimea in Ukraine.

I am sensing myself become more Nationalist than I have ever been before, simply for the reason that, I feel Nepal is at a point, where, if the politicians do not work for the interests of the country, we might not be happy with the Nepal we are left with. If you are wondering if I am calling India out, then yes I am. The aggressive politics it has been ushering throughout the South-Asian diaspora is not favourable for the many nations in the region.

Exam day is here, all or nothing now I suppose. I am excited to get this one out of the way so I can return to writing. Stay tuned guys I will be back very soon!

Hey guys, I wont be able to post anything substantive till the 22nd, I have an exam coming up and I guess I will have re-divert my attention there. But stay tuned and see you all very shortly!!

Federalism in Nepal - a reversal of Nepal's political progress.

Its a constant source of anger for me to see Nepali politicians talking and implementing a federal system in Nepal. Usually, federal states are created by much larger countries to allow for local level governance. They bring about many benefits when the country implementing is one which needs it, an apt example being our two huge neighbours India and China. However it is almost comical to see a country as small as Nepal allowing for the fragmentation of its society and peoples for the most illogical experiment of its leaders. The first time I had any discussion about this issue was in a car journey through the rolling hills of Nepal. I was in Nepal for my Bartabanda (coming of age ceremony) and my cousin could not understand why I was so baffled at the idea. The current system which was already in place and had just started to find its footing would be re-shuffled and the civil administration would have to re-invent itself. Knowing the pressures of Nepali governance, I will leave the timescale to your imagination. 

Currently, there is the need for unified national policies to be adopted to combat nation-wide poverty, illiteracy, poor education, high child mortality rates and a plethora of other issues. With the constant political, economic and social pressures Nepal faces due to its geographic location and sometimes difficult neighbours, many would argue that federalism isn't the answer to this. The pre-existing divisions of Nepali society of caste, religion as well as it's geography means that the states which will be implemented will always be discriminatory and marginalise one group or another. As such Nepal needs to work as one unit to tackle the issues discussed as a country to make sure there isn't disparity in the work and funding within the country. Nepal at this point in history cannot continue to leave some of its people in the middle ages. 

When Nepal was first unified as a country by our founding father, Prithivi Narayan Shah, it was fragmented into many little kingdoms all ruled independently with regional interests at heart. There was local fighting for resources and constant threats from foreign forces. I would argue that the current climate which is being created is not one suitable for the National progression of Nepal as a whole. There is a possibility of the Madesh being separated with some calls for independence from Nepal. I concede that this is a tiny minority, however this extreme protest would not be necessary under a national system as it only came about with the new divisions being created. I am sure our neighbours to the south are keeping a close eye now more than ever on the political climate. 

As a foreign onlooker I cannot pretend to understand the situation in Nepal properly. However, I hope that the analysis that I can present with the best interests of all parties involved  shows that the federal system isn't necessarily the best option for Nepal. It would be a joke for me to think this would even reach the politicians ears' in Nepal but for those who care about this issue I hope it was of interest. 

BIDESH - नमस्ते

It’s never easy being part of two very different communities and having to bear the pressures of both. You cannot forget the ‘culture’ and traditions of a Society which has a history as rich as Nepal.  However, growing up in a western society means that you cannot be so distant in your thinking and beliefs. Inability to integrate into the society that we currently live in raises other issues. Racism and stereotype flourish when there isn’t the willingness to become cohesive with the place that you now call home.

I would argue that our generation’s parents hold attitudes very dear towards Nepal and may find it difficult to accept in its totality the western customs. I believe that the problems are not in the lifestyle or the values but it is the customs which have developed very differently to those in Nepal.  For example, my mum finds it awkward when she sees people kissing publicly, she does not have any intrinsic hatred for it but that is not something that she would see so openly in Nepal. She is not accustomed to it thus, it is of dis-comfort. However, for those of us that either grew up here or were born here, that is the reality which surrounds us. It isn’t uncomfortable nor is it so alien.  I know this is probably stating the reality for many who have the same demographic background as I, however for many people it is not that simple.

 The true question is what do people really want? Are they living in a foreign country with the intention to return one day, or is that western country the new home?

If the answer is that they expect to return, then it may be advantageous to hold onto the ideologies that they left Nepal with. However, even this premise ignores the modernisation which has taken place. Societally and economically Nepal is very different to even five years ago. From my own personal experience the people who have migrated have often more conservative views than those living in Nepal. This may be due to not wanting to forget the society which they left often at very young ages in search of prosperity. They wanted to change their economic standing in life as anyone would however I don’t think that many were prepared for the cultural differences or how it may affect their reality. The situation is not simply black or white and there are a lot of issues to be considered. 

I understand that this article may seem a little exaggerated with a very focused approach to the issues at hand. But it is done purely with the intention to bring about dialogue within our community. There are many elephants which are all too frequently brushed under the rug, I just simply wish to bring them out. Let’s start having an honest discussion about the direction in which our society and community is heading. 

The New Constitutional Chapter of Nepal - नमस्ते

The new constitution of Nepal was promulgated on the 20^th September 2015, after nearly a decade of delays and political failures from those in charge. The Late Prime Minister, Sushil Koirala had managed to bring together the political leaders of Nepal. The constitution was agreed by five hundred and seven votes out of the six hundred and one members in the assembly. This as a result makes it one of the most agreed upon constitutions to be passed and implemented anywhere in the world. 

However soon after the passing of the constitution it was met with a damning statement from the Indian Government across the border, with the stance being that it didn’t give enough rights to the minorities of Indian origin settled in Nepal. This condemnation faced a backlash from the Nepalese with “#BackOffIndia” trending on social media for several days against the Indian Government. Furthermore, there were protests in the streets of London when Prime Minister Modi visited Downing Street. They claimed that a Minister who was responsible for the deaths of thousands during the 2002 Gujrat violence when he was in charge should not lecture Nepal on human rights issues.

Within the week of its passing there were riots in the Terai belt of Nepal, leading to the deaths of forty police officers and protesters. The protesters were led by some of the defaulting politicians arguing that since the constitution was rushed through it would work against the already marginalised minorities as it was dominated by those of the higher hill castes. However, this argument fails to realise that Nepal had been working towards a Constitution for more than 10 years. Furthermore, it does not account for the reality on the ground, primarily that the Terai now is a mixing pot of all castes and peoples.

For millions who have left the country in search of employment, the constitution is a step in the right direction. It gives us hope that one day we may be able to feed our families with the money earned within Nepal due to the stability that the constitution provides and the opportunities which present themselves because of the security it offers. However, I do not fall into the fallacy of thinking I know the situation in Nepal, I can merely be a commentator at best. But if the world’s newest constitutional parliament is to bring about meaningful changes to the lives of ordinary people across all realms in Nepal, it must be given the time to do so.

For many, the constitution provides the only fire of warmth as the cold Nepali winter winds sweep in, across a country that was recently savaged by what can only be described as the worst natural disaster to hit Nepal in 80 years. It claimed the lives of thousands and its affects will be felt for generations to come.

With the arrival of the constitution come rights for previously discriminated groups within society, putting a spotlight on issues which were previously un-discussed. For the first-time Nepal is taking strides in equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and the transgender community as well as recognising the rights for the binary community. It is wholly inclusive and is one of the only constitutions in the world to expressly include such a provision. The provisions under Right to Equality clearly state that “no discrimination shall be made against any citizen in the application of general laws on grounds of religion, colour, caste, tribe, sex, sexual orientation, bodily condition, disability, status of health, marital status, pregnancy, financial status, origin, language or region, ideological conviction or any of these.” This I would argue goes a long way to secure justice and fairness for all. It may be the case that it is not yet perfect, however that can be easily amended later, as the constitution allows.

However, what is worrying is that after the constitution was passed a game for the political throne was played out, in which the main contenders used the division created between those from the hills and the flat plains to pursue their political goals. This technique of divide and conquer has been used previously when the Maoists were in power and many had thought that it would be left in the history books where it belonged.

Nepal is a script filled with many episodes of events which have defined it, beginning with the creation of modern Nepal by the founding father – King Prithivi Narayan Shah. He fought to gather a country which was three times as large as it is today. A national language was born and for the first time in what is now known as Nepal all the different states worked towards the same goal. 

This is the most recent chapter in that long and celebrated history and as such we should not fail to recognise why the recent constitution is a pivotal step for any country. For a country with so much diversity and richness in its history and culture it symbolises a way of looking forward into the future. It is a way to put the dark chapters of the civil war, the assassination of the monarchy, the earthquake  to bed. It is not a case of forgetting what has happened but accepting that there is something to guide the country forward. The constitution of any country, be it written or not symbolises the struggles of those people, yet it is also a promise, a promise that every citizen will be respected, their wishes and beliefs allowed to be practised but more importantly it promises the people a permanent home.