The Land of Young Hypocrites (From Nepalnews guest column)
We do have an unfortunate poverty and illiteracy rate, but Nepal’s problem isn’t at the bottom but rather at the top

By Nishchal M.S. Basnyat

As Nepali youths line up along the passport lines and security checks at the Tribhuwan International Airport with the hope of living the cinematic “American dream,” they leave behind a country tattered and torn in political pandemonium. With heavy-hearted patriotism they depart and ritualistically hang their Nepali flags in their college dorm rooms. Yet, the ambition of going back to Nepal and taking charge of their beloved homeland becomes only a distant priority once they taste the freedom, democracy, and hamburgers of the materialistically satisfying life abroad.

Such is the perilous future of the nation; even with the Maoist insurgency, political turmoil, and economic crises resolved, the country faces another monumental obstacle: patriotic hypocrites. As the trend of educating children outside the country increases, what happens if this minute population of youngsters who are wealthy, bright, and fortunate enough to go overseas doesn’t return? The result: something I like to call “the great divide.”

A country where the educated elite are ready to point fingers at the government, but none of whom are ready to work for it. A nation where all the sophisticated citizens seem to know the solution to the country’s troubles, but no one is intrepid enough to return and work for five or six thousand rupees per month. What happened to all the patriotism? What happened to all the “Jai Nepal” rhetoric? In the face of self-satisfaction, a country’s cry seems trivial. So how can we simply blame politicians when we’ve also forgotten out promises? The Nepalis that go abroad usually do so with a one-way ticket, only to return for brief visits. Unfortunately, these are also the same people that seem to have the loudest voices and seem to know all the answers to Nepal’s political friction. Such brain drain will impair Nepal in ways unimaginable to us now.

Think about our future government. No matter how many shrewd businessmen, erudite journalists, “well-informed” NGO-workers or caring human rights activists Nepal might have, for a country to prosper, we will need a strong government. For a strong government we need the best to actually work for the government. Who will be the future bureaucrats of the country? The era in the later half of the 20th century for Nepal when the best and the brightest were enthusiastic about a post in the government is over. The educated, capable and accomplished are no longer willing to work for the government for such nominal salaries. Instead, those who were unable to get jobs elsewhere or those who were the least competent will be running the show, further widening “the great divide” between the privileged few and the government, thus giving birth to an intellectual civil war in the near future.

Of course, there could be counter-arguments from nationalistic charlatans who claim that a flood of brainpower from Nepal to other countries will not affect Nepal. Some claim that in countries like India and China, where millions have gone abroad for work and study, there is not only development but these nations are already emerging super powers. Although it is easy to get carried away in such romantic optimism, pragmatically speaking, we cannot compare ourselves with these two giants just because we share borders. Likewise, we cannot compare Nepal’s “human capital flight” with that of India or China. If millions of Indians go overseas for education and employment, millions who are equally as educated and capable will stay back home. As much competition as there is to get into the best American and European Universities, there is even greater competition to enter educational institutions like Beijing University or IIT. Such conditions foster motivation to stay at home, which Nepal lacks.

India and China also enjoy a geographically decentralized reservoir of brainpower, whereas in Nepal only those from Kathmandu and a handful from other cities are privileged enough to receive the appropriate amount of education to go outside the country. Therefore, with every Nepali youngster that leaves the country, Nepal slides further into difficulty. Of course there are those that do return to the country and much praise should go their way. But this is a minuscule number. Even for the nominal amount of bold youngsters that return with the readiness to work for their government, passing the primitive and strictly Nepali-based ‘lok seba’ government exams is an insurmountable task.

There is also the logical argument that money being sent back home from Nepalis abroad is the only thing sustaining the Nepali economy. Although this argument has great credence, we cannot take the fact for granted and must move ahead with long-term goals to bring back our educated and capable few. The overwhelming population is made up of those with the determination and patriotism to return, but lack the initiative. Although taking a complete U-turn from a brain drain is an evolutionary process and not revolutionary, there are three innovative approaches we can still take to head towards the right direction. While criticizing the young educated elite for not being true to their country, we should also acknowledge the government’s errors.

First, the archaic “lok seba” exams will have to be reformed and made less of a daunting task to those who were educated under the English based system. This is an effective way of reaching out to those that are actually willing to work for the government. Second, we must now adopt what is referred to as the ‘Taiwan method’. A couple of decades ago, Taiwan, in the midst of economic and political instability, called back a handful of Taiwanese Princeton University graduates and promised them the post of political and economic advisors. With full gusto they implemented novel yet pragmatic policies that were highly successful and helped to catapult Taiwan to what it is today.

Nepal has far too many brilliant and determined youngsters for the country to be suffering like it is today. We do have an unfortunate poverty and illiteracy rate, but Nepal’s problem isn’t at the bottom but rather at the top. The ‘Singapore method’ is another approach Nepal can adopt to lure in the country’s best while simultaneously reducing corruption in higher offices of power. In Singapore, at the height of corruption, the country implemented a unique strategy of paying its government workers, especially those in higher posts, very large salaries. This will not only provide a strong monetary incentive for the best to join the government, but will also alleviate the need for corruption within the government. Such innovative approaches are key, not only in enticing the young, but also in long-term development of the nation. The third approach to reverse this brain drain, which stemmed from a late night conversation with a young Pakistani friend at Harvard, seems to be the most pioneering. Amidst mushrooming manpower agencies and student-help institutions in Nepal that help export migrant workers and students, why not start an agency that promises a future in Nepal for Nepalis living abroad?

The idea might seem illogical at first thought, but this has worked not only in India, but also in Pakistan. The idea is not to take advantage of the booming IT market, which Nepal doesn’t have, but rather set up agencies that can persuade organisations like UNDP, UNESCO, UNICF, CARE Nepal, and other INGOs to hire returning Nepalis to fill their domestic employees quota.

Such agencies in Pakistan, started only a few years ago, have been successful in bringing back hundreds of educated nationals with the promise of well-paying jobs at home. Even in Nepal a thousand dollars salary will go a lot further than a salary in the US that is three times that. Such approaches will also persuade the large crowd of Nepalis living abroad who are working in unsatisfying odd jobs.

Regardless of government efforts, ultimately the choice belongs to this particular age group of twenty and thirty-year olds that can make the difference. This next generation has the toilsome task of repairing and renovating a country that was raped and dishonored by the self-satisfying generation that came before it. The next generation will be no different if it forgets its duty towards the troubled native soil.

We might be poor, yet we have been blessed with a part of this world that is rich in a myriad of resources, natural, and now also intellectual. Both these resources must be utilized if the country is to get back up on its feet. There is only one thing that can set this country on a long-term path to prosperity: selflessness of the young. Most of these youngsters left the nation with the promise of returning, unfortunately as the nation dies a slow death, many have already forgotten their promise.

(Currently studying in La Sorbonne (Paris), Basnyat is a student at Harvard University and can be reached at nbasnyat@fas.harvard.edu)

I completely and utterly agree with the view points Ashuji has to shed on this article.
I dont think I could've put it in the words as he summed it in his last "stanza."

Cheers,

Napyo

bhanna sajilo huncha garna garho.

even if all the foreign educated nepalis return to nepal it won't make much of a difference. Nepal has plenty of highly educated people doing nothing in nepal because there is no scope to put their education to work.

As long as people of high intellect and high moral values don't get into politics, Nepal is never going to change. period. And please how many of these so called foreign educated brains are going to get into politics. almost none. POLITICS is the ONLY single factor that dictates everything else like it or not, I do not know how many of the commenters here are willing to join the politics and get the unappreciatve label of "chor Neta" on to themselves.

Ok for that , How many of The political parties are willing to hook up some foreign grads??
No they want somebody who is compeltely brainwashed.And listen to thier leaders only.

good job to Saroj. well written articles.

I again say that He wrote the article little bit earlier.... First, he himself should return to Nepal, then he may write such an article... Otherwise it's useless article.

Or may be he wants to see the agency established abroad that can assure him and lure to Nepal promising highly paid jobs????????? C'mon, give me a break.

I don't think there is any hypocracy in moving on to greener pasteurs. When a students goes abroad to study, the main thing in his mind is pursuing better opportunities at least pursuing better education to begin with. Which is the reason that they go abroad.

Who leaves the country and pledges that they will come back no matter what. They would be hypocrites IF they had pledged that they would come back to Nepal before they left, and then did not go back.

If someone goes abroad and finds a better life for himself, and also finds that in being abroad he can facilitate better lifestyle for his/her family in Nepal as well as for oneself, then I fail to see anything hypocritical about wanting a better life for oneself and the ones you love. Yes, patriotism is an issue here but what good can you do back home when you are struggling to make a living? With the red tapes and corruption, you'd be lucky if you find a job that is enough to raise a family without too much problem.

The title would be better if it said The land of opportunity seekers.

What about Duty towards your motherland?There is some selfishness in part of nepalese abroad involved .Don't deny it .just admit it!

There is no place for educated people in Nepal at least not until the country comes to order. I think that the article is not all factually correct. There are a sginificant number of Nepali students returnig to Nepal and rising to the top in banking and non-governmental sectors. They avoided the goberment because it is full of bull. anyway, I think the writer himself should make it his mission in life to go back to Nepal and make a difference rather than become a gadfly and make noise. Then he will see the reality there and come running back for his hamburger.

i am a hypocrite :-(

Amrit Joshi,
Why do you think there is no place for the educated people in Nepal...?

I would also challenge the person who says "POLITICS is the ONLY single factor that dictates everything else like it or not,"

Nepal is a cesspool..It is a backwards hopeless country as long as those illiterate politicians are at the helm..The ball has just been bounced from one crook's (the king) court to another's(SPA). If the King stole 5 rupees daily, the SPA steals 4 rupees daily...thats the only difference...

look at nepal, do you want to go back? spineless government is bowing down to every demand made by the terrorists, then there are these" holier than thou" brigade of human rights workers who have forgotten all about the people killed by the maoists and are now advocating for the rights of maoists prisoners..

nepal is land of irony. the nation does not play by the rules and the people are no different. why should i go back to nepal to salute prachanda..? why should anyone go back to nepal to pay tax to fund the terror campaign of the maoists..?

I agree with bhumi gh..why should the Nepalese residing abroad kiss the Party leaders. Have they given us anything in return? I mean I know several people who returned to do something back-some succeeded becasue of CONNECTIONS in the party. Others failed became frustrated and some even committed suicide. So, the time is not ripe to return for Nepal until the dust and smoke settles. There are family back home who cannot raise voices because they get killed by Maoists. SO the students and professionals abroad are the best way to raise their voices agains the injustices, crimes, and sorry politics affecting the lives of our dear ones.

Educated people can survive in Nepal if they can get connections with the party members for their job. It's like being a member of the gagnsters to set your goals in life in motion. This is absolutely nonsense.

Hypocracy is being committed by the author of the above article we are discussing here.

Dont talk abt Gandhi and Nehru please! I cant tolerate those traitors!

Napyo

One thing I would like to bring to people's attention is that
WHen people do go back to Nepal and try to make it a better place, the Cronies who run the country put up all sorts of obstacles to prevent them. I keep hearing," YO AMERICA HOINA, YO BELAYET HINA Blah blah blah. Which leads to total frustration among people who do want to go back and do something. I have had friends who went back to do something for the country but all the bereaucracy and red tape prevented them from doing anything. I MEAN ITS ONE THING TO POINT FINGERS BUT ANOTHER TO FACE THE REALITY.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS ASHU, I REMEBER WHEN HE DID TRY TO DO THINGS(I am aware of this arrogance too), HE GOT NAILED BY ALL SORTS OF GOVT OFFICIALS, JOURNALISTS, AND POLITICAL LEADERS. HOW DO WE OVERCOME THIS BARRIER SO THAT IN THE FUTURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ?

Quite an interesting read. However there are certain points/solutions that don't appear quite well thought out. For example, he uses the Singaporean high salary example without mentioning the fact that Singapore has far fewer government/civil service employees than Nepal. Also Singaporeans return to work because they have far better oppurtunities with the private/business sector there and the quality of life/living standard is much higher and better. And also many Singaporean students at the best institutions abroad get some sort of scholarship/living allowances from their government. We get nothing. Actually we have to pay 500 to get that useless "no objection" certficate from the government. (And I don't blame any young Nepali student who has gone through that ordeal if he/she decides not to come back to Nepal or work for the Nepal Government.)

Taiwanese system is not going to work either. So who do the government recall and ask to work for it? Just how many graduates from which schools in the world would qualify for that kind of program? Should the government just recall the people like you who are at La Sorborne or Ecole Polytechnic or Cmbridge, Harvard or Princeton? What about those bright Nepali students who are at lesser known or unknown colleges? What criteria should the government use in hiring these graduates? And also its not the world of a couple of decades ago, its a different world altogether. There are many Taiwanese abroad than they were a few years back and even the Taiwanese government today, despite its money will not be able to bring back and recruit even a small percentage of those students . Forget about Nepal Government that has to borrow from the World Bank and the IMF to pay the salaries of its civil servants.

Lok Sewa- I too believe that this system has to be changed. But to change or reform something that has been in place for long isn't that easy. Its not that easy as you make it out to be. It will be a long process. And we being more slow working than the rest, lets double the time that it woould require in other countries to achieve that. Instead what we can do is have Internship/ Junior Officer Program in the government. Each ministry should take at least 10-20 students for 2 years whether they are educated abroad or in Nepal and make them work in the department or area of their liking under the supervision of Sakha Adhikrits or Upa Sachibs or Saha Sachibs. Those mentons should teach them not only the inner workin gs of their departments/units but also how to write in Nepali and the all so important NIjamati Sewa Niyamabali. Then after two years of training, they should be hired as full time permanent members. But they shouldnt be immune to other stuff that the regular employees go through. They should take the internal tests etc to get promoted. This I think is more logical and doable than reforming the Lok Sewa system NOW to make it easier to get jobs for you or me but extremely difficult for those other Nepalis who do not get to stduy at the elite schools abroad. Just to make your or mine life easier, we cannot make the lives of Ram Shyam Kumar from rural areas who are as good and hardworking as your goodself but due to various reasons don't get to go abroad and have to enroll in either bad govt. schools or Tindhara Pathshala to obtain the qualifications needed to take the Lok Sewa test. Since all the NGOs and INGOs in Nepal are looking for people like you, the students in Nepal have no option than to work for the govt. Therefore, its not the question of only reforming the test, its the question of reforming our whole education system.

Just my views. Nothing personal against you.

Nepal is a land of cracies. Ususally, democracy tops the list when the message is for external world. Bureaucracy dominates when it comes to internal affairs. Terrorcracy is the talk of the town now. Parliamentcracy was going wild until just a couple of days ago. Bhrastacracy is like the best cracy Nepal ever had. It has run in every system without a hitch. The only cracy that is kinda hurt now is Rajacracy but Girija got some malham, though.

Hypocrisy alankarle bibhusit garnu aghi lekhakle bujhya ho why Nepalis are NOT returning home? Nabujhya ho bhane bujhna paryo..bujhya ho bhane nakacharo huna chhadnu paryo ni!

“Will you return?” should not be the first question, in my opinion. “Why?” should be.

I have no intention till now to return .who knows the future?
For one time you guys, Stop pointing out ways to avoid hypocrisy and blaming the writer for not giving the right solution or examples.

This is fact! I see hypocrite in you and me.

What about the duty towards the nation irrespective of how bad system it has.If you don't think what nation has done for you and will do for you.What have you done for the nation ?