Submit your Article

The international airport has become overwhelmed with a surge of students. In recent years, youth migration has emerged as one of the country’s major issues. While every government claims to be drafting policies and programs aimed at retaining young people within the country, these efforts appear ineffective. Reports indicate that over 2,500 youths depart from Tribhuvan International Airport daily. 

Although many attribute this exodus to employment opportunities abroad, a large number of students are also leaving for educational purposes. As more young students pursue studies overseas, the number of students enrolling in Nepali universities and colleges has decreased significantly . Particularly in bachelor’s and master’s programs, enrollment has dropped far below the allocated seat numbers. On one hand, universities and affiliated educational institutions face a drought of students; while on the other hand, the international airport is struggling to manage the overwhelming crowds of outbound students.

In the fiscal year 2023/24, a total of 112,593 individuals obtained no objection certificates (NOC) from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to study abroad. According to data from the ministry’s Foreign Study Permission Branch, the number was 110,217 in the previous fiscal year. Although the number dropped to 27,900 in the fiscal year 2020/21 and to 34,096 in the fiscal year 2019/20 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trend has since been on the rise. In the fiscal year 2018/19, the number was 63,295. Currently, about 500 students seek NOCs daily. Based on this data, it is estimated that over 100,000 students leave Nepal annually for abroad studies.

Education is often considered the foundation of a country’s economic and social development. However, many argue that Nepal’s education system has not yet found its rhythm. The government’s lack of vision and the dysfunction in educational institutions have left students disillusioned with the domestic education system, driving them towards foreign institutions as an alternative.

In the past decade, the number of students seeking NOC to study abroad has increased nearly tenfold. On average, the number of students going abroad for education has grown by 43.9 percent annually over this period. Nepali universities have failed to attract students due to rising institutional dysfunction and political interference, which has hampered the development of a modern education system and the production of skilled human resources.

Political instability, corrupt leadership, frequent government changes, and power struggles have led youths to conclude that their futures are not secure in Nepal. Universities play a crucial role in developing the human resources needed for national development. They must produce graduates with the skills to analyze, argue, present, and find solutions to problems. However, if the foundation is weak, the resulting development will not be sustainable. Graduates from Nepali universities often lack the expertise required to secure jobs, which further diminishes the appeal of these institutions. As a result, many students opt for foreign education.

In the last fiscal year, the most popular study destinations for Nepali students were Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia, and Canada. During this period, 34,731 students obtained NOCs for Japan, 15,982 for Canada, 14,372 for Australia, 13,339 for the UK, and 11,261 for the US. Similarly, 6,889 students obtained NOCs for South Korea, 1,754 for Denmark, 1,535 for Finland, 1,489 for France, 2,389 for India, 1,446 for New Zealand, and 2,147 for the UAE. A significant number of students also sought approval for studying in Bangladesh, China, Bahrain, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Hungary, Malaysia, Malta, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.

Not long ago, attending a university in Nepal was a source of pride. Graduating from these institutions was seen as a guarantee of a secure future, and parents took pride in their children’s education. But today, this is no longer the case. Many parents are now reluctant to enroll their children in domestic universities due to the rampant dysfunction. Most universities are plagued by strikes, shutdowns, and political interference, preventing them from adhering to academic calendars. As a result, regular classes, annual exams, and other academic activities have become irregular. It takes almost seven years to complete a four-year bachelor's degree, and errors in results and exam papers have eroded public trust in these institutions.

Human resources are the most important asset for increasing production and productivity. As the daily exodus of young, skilled individuals continues, the country’s political leadership bears the greatest responsibility. A nation’s future is often determined by its political leadership, as they are the ones steering the country’s direction. The hopes for a nation’s economic and social prosperity lie in having political leaders who are honest, capable, and visionary.

If the political leadership is honest, it can positively impact the country’s economic, social, and educational sectors. Only then can the belief that a secure future is possible within the country take root. However, looking at Nepal’s political history over the past three decades, it seems that promising political leadership has yet to emerge. Political instability, corrupt leaders, frequent government changes, and power struggles have led today’s youth to conclude that their futures are not secure in Nepal. Hence, they are in a hurry to leave.

It is natural for the youth to want to secure both their present and future. They are concerned not only about themselves but also about the future of their children. As physically and mentally capable individuals continue to leave the country, the impact on the nation’s economy, society, and politics is becoming increasingly apparent. While remittances may support the economy for now, they are not a long-term solution. Without growth in internal production and productivity, economic prosperity is unachievable.

The most important asset for increasing production and productivity is human resources. If we continue to lose our human capital, even the best policies and plans won’t matter. To ensure the economic, social, and political development of the country, the growing trend of youth migration must be curtailed. This requires the creation of domestic employment opportunities, skills-based education, a stable political environment, strong leadership, and good governance.

The fight for LGBTIQA+ rights has taken root globally. A number of countries have witnessed major public movements for marriage equality and legal recognition of the queer community. While same-sex marriage and homosexuality still remain illegal in many nations, there is increasing pressure on governments to acknowledge the issues faced by LGBTIQA+ individuals. 

Nepal has set itself apart in providing legal recognition to the community, thanks to progressive court rulings that have upheld the rights of queer individuals. While this has earned the country international recognition, the community still has a long way ahead of itself. As these challenges persist, new perspectives are emerging on how LGBTIQA+ rights are viewed. Queer rights are generally associated with human rights, but with increasing data on the economic impacts of LGBTIQA+ inclusion, there is a growing case for businesses to embrace inclusivity and reap the benefits it offers. 

Monetary gains

Corporations around the world have supported the cause for LGBTIQA+ rights (excluding countries where homosexuality is illegal). In the West, small businesses and multinational companies have embraced the rainbow and have emerged as important advocates for the community. The fight for justice and equality has driven corporations to join this movement and build pressure on their respective governments. But beyond the ideals of social justice, there are tangible economic benefits that businesses stand to gain from inclusive policies in the workplace. 

Research shows that LGBTIQA+ inclusive policies lead to enhanced productivity, higher innovation, and better financial performance of businesses. More inclusive firms report up to 35 percent higher profits compared to their non-inclusive counterparts. Inclusive workplaces also attract the top talents in the market given the increasing preference of workers for safer and diverse workplaces. 

Zooming out to a macro level, LGBTIQA+ inclusion delivers benefits across the economic landscape. Inclusive policies not only boost economic growth and productivity levels but also positively impact human development indicators. The resulting benefits on human capital outcomes drive profitability for firms, as they can take advantage of better labor market conditions and attract diverse talents. 

Performance gains

Besides monetary gains, firms also benefit in broader organizational metrics like employee engagement, motivation, and retention. When employees feel valued and respected, they are better able to deliver on their work. Feeling confident about one’s identity naturally increases the productivity and motivation levels of workers, allowing them to connect better with fellow colleagues. 

It is no surprise that an inclusive workplace attracts the best talent and witnesses lower turnover rates. Everyone prefers a workplace where they can bring their full selves to work and don’t have to worry about their looks, preferences, and backgrounds. Fostering an inclusive workplace also has the advantage of the reduced legal burden of dealing with complaints of discrimination and harassment. 

Research from McKinsey shows that companies embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are 21 percent more likely to outperform on profitability and face fewer legal issues related to discrimination. Hence, beyond the monetary gains that LGBTIQA+ inclusion offers, businesses stand to benefit from the wider impacts inclusive policies have on their organizational functioning.  

Opportunities for businesses

The global corporate world has actively embraced queer inclusivity but Nepali businesses are yet to show the same level of enthusiasm. Nepal has a relatively strong legal recognition of the queer community, which puts domestic businesses in an advantageous position to leverage the talents of queer workers and bring fresh perspectives to their organization. They have the opportunity of hiring queer folks and bringing vibrancy to their firms, while also significantly increasing their problem-solving and innovative capacity. All of these potential benefits are supported by solid research. LGBTIQA+ inclusion, and by extension, all forms of inclusion, will be the competitive advantage that organizations can bank on for their future success. 

Though Nepal’s corporate ecosystem is still in its infancy, the existing large businesses need to lead the way in prioritizing DEI and leveraging the benefits it offers. The banking industry can play an especially important role in this area given its impressive performance with female labor employment in the sector. Extending this achievement to other gender identities and sexual orientations can give the industry a further boost in its performance and profitability, not to mention the international recognition that will come with it. 

With the legal rights of the queer community increasingly being recognized in Nepal, large domestic firms can take the lead in writing the next chapter of LGBTIQA+ equality. Beyond serving their own interests, LGBTIQA+ inclusion can change the lives of thousands of Nepalis, while also significantly contributing to the country’s economic and social development. Inclusion in the workplace is a win-win situation—for firms, for employees, and for the country—and it’s time the stakeholders gave the issue its due attention.

As ‘Children’s Day’ is around the corner, we thought we would ask some parents about navigating the challenges of raising children, their concerns, and how they are ensuring their child grows up in the best possible environment.

Aayush Shakya, 29

As a first-time parent, I must admit that I’m a little lost. With my knowledge of child psychology, I try to understand him when he throws tantrums. But I worry about him all the time. I don’t know what he is going through or what he wants. I don’t know if he’s feeling unwell or if he wants food. I’m pretty clueless most of the time.  

It’s true that a child’s upbringing has an impact on his/her mental health as well. S/he will grow up to be a good person if s/he is raised in a happy, understanding, and positive environment. I guess that’s a lot of pressure on the parents. I want to make sure my child gets a lot of love, care, and emotional support so that he becomes a well-grounded person in the future.

Usha Tamang, 38

Children are affected by their environment so every parent must make sure it’s conducive for a child’s growth. It’s the parent’s responsibility to ensure the child grows up well. Since I don’t know much about child psychology, I make it a point to be careful about how I deal with him. I’m concerned about his mental health since there can be so many triggers. Sometimes, we mistakenly raise our voices and my child feels bad. I fear this might have a negative impact in the long term though he doesn’t seem to be affected by it at the moment. However, I’m mindful of the fact that I must be cautious about my words and actions around him.   

Harsha Bahadur Shrestha, 60

Parents are responsible for their children and, I feel, it’s a lifelong responsibility. We must guide them in a way that promotes critical thinking, social adaptability, and self-awareness. I think children learn a lot by looking at their peers, more so now than ever before so every parent must monitor their children’s circle when they are growing up. As for myself, I think I have done a fairly decent job in raising my children and teaching them good values. I think I have managed to steer them in the right direction, emphasizing on the need to make good decisions when picking friends and careers, as well as being professional without ever harming others.

Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best? But it’s not easy. You have to exercise and eat right and those are perhaps the most difficult things to do. Finding the time to exercise is next to impossible when you have a zillion chores at home and work deadlines to meet. Often, there are too many things to do and not enough hours in a day. But that doesn’t have to mean you can’t achieve your fitness goals. You just have to find innovative ways to squeeze some squats and lunges in your routine and get your heart rate up to burn those calories. We are here to arm you with some simple hacks to make fitness a part of your daily life, all without you having to set aside a fixed time for it.

 Make it a group activity

Go for a run or a Zumba workout with a friend. Enjoy a stroll after dinner with your partner. Play badminton with a neighbor. If you make fitness a group activity or engage in it with a partner, you will enjoy it and stick to it. 

 Dance to a song every day 

Play your favorite song and dance to it as soon as you get out of bed or before you take a shower. You can also do this in the evening after coming back from work. It will help you burn some calories as well as put you in a good mood.

 Do 20 squats every two hours

You can easily do about 120 to 150 squats in a day if you simply break it down and do 20 every two hours. You can do this at work too. Simply get up from your seat and do 20 squats before sitting down again. Squats are great to tone your calf and thigh muscles.

 Hydrate

Drink water. We can’t stress on this enough. If you are hydrated, you are less likely to reach for cold drinks or other sugary beverages when you are thirsty. Make sure you have at least eight large glasses of water every day.

 Play with kids or pets

If you have children or pets, this is a great way to feel good as well as get your heart pumping. Toss a ball or play chase to have a good time and make some memories while burning some calories.

 Focus on small things

You might not be able to go for a 40-minute walk, but you can make it a point to get in 500 steps after each meal. You might not be able to join a gym, but you can take the stairs instead of the elevator. Look for little things you can do to stay active. Don’t underestimate its power.

Walk when on the phone

If you are at home or at work and you have a phone call to make, do so moving around. Better, head out and go for a short walk. A 10-minute phone can fetch you a thousand steps. This is a really great way to get your step count up.

Stand on one leg

Studies have found that this feat of coordination provides a proper brain workout, improving neuroplasticity. There’s also the option to close your eyes to make it much more challenging. Do this while brushing your teeth, making tea, or while putting on makeup.

Switch up your commute

If you regularly use the car to go to work, consider walking or cycling to work at least once a day. You might have to leave half an hour early but the results will be worth it. You will also be lowering your carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner planet.

Do some chores

Every day, do one chore around the house that you normally don’t do yourself. It could be sweeping the stairs, vacuuming the carpets, or cleaning the windows. You will have gotten some exercise in, freed up your house help’s time for something else and, best of all, you will have a clean house.

Use little pockets of time

The most common excuse people have for a lack of exercise in their lives is not having the time for it, yet most of us watch TV on a regular basis. During television breaks, get up and do something—10 burpees, 15 crunches, or some stretching. It all adds up at the end of the day.

Do a 10-minute YouTube workout

Really, nobody is so busy that they can’t do a 10-minute workout at home. There are fitness apps and YouTube channels that provide great mini workouts that can tone your entire body in minutes. If you can’t do anything else, make sure you do at least one of these every day.