It has been two years since I left Nepal for USA. I am not sure whether my age or my change of lifestyle has contributed to making me feel more grown-up than before. But being able to observe my country from far (kinda like Rose watches the Earth for the first time in Doctor Who ) and insurmountable internet access has brought light upon so many things for me. In fact, let me present to you the myths in my head (MMH):
1. There is no one (very very few people) in Nepal to help make it a better place.
Although this notion ignited in me the wish to contribute to Nepal's development, it is not true. Ever since I started paying attention to non-profit organizations now that I was an International Studies major, I have become amazed at the national and international involvement there. Every other person is working with an NGO. There are many who have gone back after studying abroad and started up welfare/development projects. For instance one of my earliest finds was a hospital built in Far-Western Nepal in the early 90s by foreign nationals.My ignorance could be due the fact that I have been to only a few places out of Kathmandu. But even within Kathmandu, there are so many organizations. I know I should be aware of the Nepal's degree of dependency in international aid and it is one of my learning goals.
Thus, Nepal is cared for and Nepali people are making the best of it. I have to dig deeper into why the country is still lagging behind.
2. Politicians, Civil Society Workers are not well educated
They are! At least most of them. One of my other goals is to lead Nepal eventually. But I used to think there is no good going on in the bureaucracy and governance and I will bring the needed change. But there is. There are people like Kul Chandra Gautam who studied at Princeton and worked for UNICEF! Look how amazingly the Dixit's have contributed to the education and other social systems. I was a fool to underestimate the intellect of our leadership. Business Admininstration, Economics and STEM Graduates are in high demand in America. Why? Because they have received rigorous professional training as analysts, etc. Now think of how popular these very majors are in Nepal. And I am sure there are hundreds of Economists out there in civil service. So, what is the problem? Is it that we rely too much on foreign experts for guidance?
3. Nepali people have less entrepreneurship skills.
What was I thinking? How could I have crossed out those fruitsellers' carts or nanglo pasal ko didi (lady with the shop in a basket?) Or my friend's dad who used to get us gifts after his business trips to Hong Kong.
4. Students are not taught value education at school.
Well I know many schools have these classes and I have been a student in a school which was the best in this category. However, now that I am in America and am struggling through life as an independent student, I think of those mini-biographies and stories we read in our very own Hamro Nepali Kitab. Balkrishna Sama and Muna Madan taught us to keep going even when the going gets tough. Dukhama na-atinu, sukha ma namatinu : I am trying to make this my mantra. We read about the life of BP Koirala and Kalidas. We read about Pasang Lamhu Sherpa and read that poem of innocence and instruction, "natipnu hera kopila, nachyatnu paapa lagdacha".
So, these are my discoveries and there are many more to come. I promise to keep researching and posting about them.
Jai Nepal (Yes, Call Kantipur style. That was a great program!)
1. There is no one (very very few people) in Nepal to help make it a better place.
Although this notion ignited in me the wish to contribute to Nepal's development, it is not true. Ever since I started paying attention to non-profit organizations now that I was an International Studies major, I have become amazed at the national and international involvement there. Every other person is working with an NGO. There are many who have gone back after studying abroad and started up welfare/development projects. For instance one of my earliest finds was a hospital built in Far-Western Nepal in the early 90s by foreign nationals.My ignorance could be due the fact that I have been to only a few places out of Kathmandu. But even within Kathmandu, there are so many organizations. I know I should be aware of the Nepal's degree of dependency in international aid and it is one of my learning goals.
Thus, Nepal is cared for and Nepali people are making the best of it. I have to dig deeper into why the country is still lagging behind.
2. Politicians, Civil Society Workers are not well educated
They are! At least most of them. One of my other goals is to lead Nepal eventually. But I used to think there is no good going on in the bureaucracy and governance and I will bring the needed change. But there is. There are people like Kul Chandra Gautam who studied at Princeton and worked for UNICEF! Look how amazingly the Dixit's have contributed to the education and other social systems. I was a fool to underestimate the intellect of our leadership. Business Admininstration, Economics and STEM Graduates are in high demand in America. Why? Because they have received rigorous professional training as analysts, etc. Now think of how popular these very majors are in Nepal. And I am sure there are hundreds of Economists out there in civil service. So, what is the problem? Is it that we rely too much on foreign experts for guidance?
3. Nepali people have less entrepreneurship skills.
What was I thinking? How could I have crossed out those fruitsellers' carts or nanglo pasal ko didi (lady with the shop in a basket?) Or my friend's dad who used to get us gifts after his business trips to Hong Kong.
4. Students are not taught value education at school.
Well I know many schools have these classes and I have been a student in a school which was the best in this category. However, now that I am in America and am struggling through life as an independent student, I think of those mini-biographies and stories we read in our very own Hamro Nepali Kitab. Balkrishna Sama and Muna Madan taught us to keep going even when the going gets tough. Dukhama na-atinu, sukha ma namatinu : I am trying to make this my mantra. We read about the life of BP Koirala and Kalidas. We read about Pasang Lamhu Sherpa and read that poem of innocence and instruction, "natipnu hera kopila, nachyatnu paapa lagdacha".
So, these are my discoveries and there are many more to come. I promise to keep researching and posting about them.
Jai Nepal (Yes, Call Kantipur style. That was a great program!)
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