My Vision for Nepal | Make Nepal a developed country within a decade

Make Nepal a developed country within a decade

Three ways to realize the vision: 

1) By providing free, quality education.
2) By encouraging innovative thinking.
3) By making our youths entrepreneurs.

Education is the key to all personal and societal successes, so it should be free for all. Education should create opportunities and encourage innovative ideas. Students, these days, learn by memory—they are only learning what’s already there. They are not given the challenge to think for themselves. But no one can progress without some challenge and competition.

In many areas of Nepal, quality education is still a pipe dream. The public schools, which are relatively cheaper, cannot offer the required quality. But the government does not seem interested.

The education people get in rural areas needs to focus on income-generation. They should learn about what they can grow to make good money so they can lift their living standards. Education also entails developing a positive mindset and a set of values, or self-development.

Corruption is one of our society's biggest problems. So, people, from the beginning, should be taught that you only know the value of money if it is hard-earned. Only then can you utilize it properly. 

One thing we must always keep in mind is that we should work with the things that we have rather than with the imported stuff. These days, the proliferation of imported machinery and technology is termed progress and development. This is wrong. Progress is something we achieve with the things we have.

Quality education and innovation are interrelated. When you start getting knowledge, you will start generating new ideas. We don’t have to import any raw materials because we have them all in our country.

I have worked with many young girls and they amaze me. They have turned old jeans garments into handbags and they are earning well. That’s innovation. Another example, the jacket I am wearing right now is made from an upcycled silk sari. Again, this is an innovation with the things that we have. And most importantly, these kinds of things are relatively cheaper to do.

Also read: Pramod Dhakal | Make Nepal a land of knowledge 

These things can attract people. Also, a substantial amount of our national income comes from tourism, and these new stuff could get international buyers too. 

But the business may not always go as planned. The new things we make may not get the market, so it’s wise not to invest heavily at the start. So, here again, this relates to education and ideas, as educated people can study the market and use ideas accordingly. Slowly, the size of the investment should increase. I don’t think finding investment would be a problem because these days, there are many schemes to help would-be entrepreneurs.

Nepal is a young country. Now, if we don’t motivate and encourage youths to stay in Nepal, we will fail as a nation. Youths think there is nothing to do here in Nepal and it is hard to sustain here, which is not true. We have everything. The only thing we lack is a support system for the youths. You can go abroad for education, but you should come back and help the country lift itself.

Youths should know that they are the future of this country and this country has a future for them as well.

The other thing is, when democracy came, people misinterpreted it and thought that the government would now do everything for them. People forgot their responsibilities as citizens.

We should fight for our rights, but we should also not depend on anyone. We are the richest and most beautiful country, but sadly, we ignore our potential. Let’s not think that we are poor and others should help us. We should help ourselves. 

Besides, we are rich in culture, tradition and natural beauty. We have the highest to the lowest geographical elevations and the hottest to the coldest climate. For us, guests are gods. With all these things in the system, plus hard work and discipline, we can upgrade ourselves into a developed country within a decade.

Quick Questions:

1. What do you think is the biggest challenge for women entrepreneurs in Nepal?

The mindset that women can’t or shouldn’t do this or that still prevails, and that sometimes creates problems. Also, women face hurdles to get their businesses registered. But if a woman can bear the pain of child-birth, she can do anything.

2. A Nepali writer who you like the most?

We have many brilliant Nepali writers both in Nepali and English languages. For now I will take two names: Madhu Raman Acharya and Bhim Bahadur Pande.

3. A saying you live by?

‘If you wish, you can do anything’.