Is it worth comparing Nepal with Western developed countries (जन्मभुमि र कर्मभूमि तुलना गर्नुपर्छ र?)
In today’s globalized world, it’s common to be born in one country and work in another for career progression. For Nepali people, this has become a reality. Many of us, me included, have worked in various countries, including but not limited to the USA, Australia, the UK, New Zealand, other European countries, Japan, the Middle East, and Malaysia. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused some stagnation, globalization has still opened up opportunities for us, allowing us to use our knowledge and skills beyond our birthplace.
I don’t see any issue with Nepali people moving to different countries, including New Zealand, for their careers. However, problems arise when we start comparing Nepal's system to that of Western countries and criticize our political leaders for worsening the situation. I believe political leaders everywhere, including in Nepal, share similar characteristics—they are often power-hungry and will do anything to maintain power. We can see this in countries like the US, UK, Russia, Ukraine, Isreal, Australia and New Zealand. This behaviour is not unique to Nepal.
The difference lies in the systems and the people in these countries. Nepali people have become accustomed to a corrupt system, and we often feel we cannot function without some connection to political parties. This dependency encourages political leaders to act in ways that benefit their own interests. Thus, the issue is not solely with the leaders themselves, but with the people who blindly support them, despite their wrongdoings. We cannot remain detached from these political dynamics. What is interesting to note is that even after moving to western developed countries, many of us, with the help of Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and various local Nepalese associations have started engaging in politics that closely align with Nepali politics. We continue to seek connections with the corrupt political leaders, either directly or indirectly.
I recently visited Nepal and was really impressed by the systems that have been developed in the capital city, Kathmandu, and its neighbouring cities, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. You can now travel anywhere via Pathao and In drive without the fear of being overcharged, and there are designated parking spaces for vehicles as well as footpaths for pedestrians. While congestion remains an issue, I don't think this is unique to Nepali cities. It’s no different from what you’d see in developed cities like Tokyo, Auckland, or Sydney.
People have started using zebra crossings and overhead bridge to cross the road, and drivers are becoming more aware, slowing down, though they still don't always stop like they do in more developed countries. There is still room for improvement in terms of driving in designated lanes and fully stopping at zebra crossings, but I believe change will come sooner rather than later.
Additionally, I was impressed by the infrastructure development, especially the roads in many rural areas—though my observations are limited to the places I visited. While there is still much to be done, I believe progress will continue, and we, as educated individuals living in environments with good systems, should work together to bring about positive change instead of just criticizing. We must remember that Nepal has invested a significant amount of resources in us before we moved to Western developed countries. Let’s join hands to build a better future for everyone, rather than focusing solely on our own interests.
