Nepal Unites Against Corruption

First, let me be clear--I am a supporter and a well-wisher of NepalUnites and its various efforts around Nepal and the world. I was an active participant in their programs at Khullamanch, Durbarmarg, Bagmati-Pul, etc. However, I speak-up whenever NepalUnites deviates from its mission, as what it stands for is what attracted me (and many others) to this movement in the first place.

I was happy to see that NepalUnites has decided to carry on their fight against corruption, which I applaud with all my heart. I believe that corruption at every level (ministers to low level bureaucrats) has suppressed entrepreneurship and stifled economic growth in the country.  However, the title  and the t-shirt that they have designed in the name of this program is just plain vile! As a supporter of the movement let me be the first to tell you-- this is offensive! Let me remind the organizers of the program and the designer(s) of the t-shirt what their self stated mission # 2 states: "We provide public space, largely social networking sites, for people to vent their frustration and opinion in a non-violent way."

Take this anyway you want but it is supposed to be a friendly constructive criticism.

India's (Economic) Influence in Nepal

India's contribution (grants and loans) to Nepal's 2011/12 budget as presented by the Ministry of Finance is about 27.6% of total bilateral contributions. Japan contributes 11.34%; China- 6.84%; UK-6.31%; Germany-4.13%; and the U.S. a mere 1.78%.

This should shed some light on why India plays a big role in Nepali politics! 

Going Abroad For Work IS Patriotic

A lot of people talk about the Nepali youth leaving for overseas employment as if they have committed a crime. "If only they would do here what they are not ashamed of doing there," they say while sipping their lattes at Java-- I beg to differ. With the weak and incompetent political system, a corrupt bureaucracy that impedes economic activity and high unemployment rate, there is nothing that these youth can accomplish staying in Nepal. Wanting to go abroad to work, with the knowledge of poor working conditions, sometimes even deadly conditions, should not be ridiculed. In fact, in today's unstable and weak economy (brought about mostly by bad banking policies and a busted real estate bubble) it is these workers who have kept the economy afloat. I have posted the increase in remittance and how it has been the life-blood of the Nepali economy before. The money that they bring back and use for consumption or construction adds to the domestic demand, which helps sustain various local businesses. So, yes, they are patriotic!

eKantipur.com reports that the "worker departure has reached an all time high" with most of the increase coming from an uptick in demand for workers from the Middle East. So, as more and more Nepalese workers head out to other parts of the world to earn an honest living, we should not look at them with disdain. If such feelings start to manifest,  be it at Java, your NGO/INGO office, or in the comfort of Facebook/Twitter, just think of their patriotic action of helping the Nepalese economy and do them a favor-- do your part-- act, politically or socially, to make their life overseas better and safer!    

I am back!

I am finally back in Colorado and getting into the groove of things.

The trip to Nepal was very busy and productive. I was able to participate in many activities including the school program in Mulghat and the first ever Ghintang Dreams project in Kathmandu, Nepal. I will post pictures and the details  of both the projects soon. I hope you enjoyed the few posts that I was able to work on from Nepal. 

I have started to look into the new budget and will post my views soon. 

Kiss The Pig--Update

I visited the primary school in Mulghat, Dhankutta, Nepal this summer and met the principal, staff, and 11 deaf kids that live and go to school there. This is the school that our "Kiss The Pig" program (together with the two Rotary clubs) raised money for in order to build restrooms, bring clean water, and put a new roof. I have shot a few minutes of videos and will post it once I am done editing. I will also post pictures of the one day community service we did at the school. I am very happy and excited to build a relationship with this public primary school in eastern Nepal. 

Nepal Unites--Sherpa Mall

The program organized by Nepal Unites was scheduled to begin at 7pm. People started to trickle in around 6:30, and by 7pm the entire open space on both floors of the Sherpa Mall was packed with supporters eager to listen to Avaya & the Steam Injuns. Some came with Nepali flags, some had flag stickers on their cheeks, some wore t-shirts with flags on them, and some simply showed up with patriotic feeling in their hearts. To these young and active youth the event was much more than a release of a single by an up-and-coming band—this was their way of showing support to end the political stalemate and complete the constitution, this was their way of saying enough to the corrupt culture of the past and start a new beginning, but most importantly, this was their way of saying “WE ARE HERE AND WE WANT CHANGE!”

Continue on to Nepali Blogger to read the full story.

Nepali Hospitality

When it started to rain on our trek down from the Australian Camp we took refuge on the porch of a house next to the trail. The house was a typical mountain home with one big room and an addition turned into a kitchen. The doors were open and no one seemed to be home. The rain became heavier and heavier and we took off our backpacks and sat on the mud-painted porch.

After twenty minutes the lady of the house showed up and her first reaction was "Oh my god, you are all sitting on the floor! Let me get you something to sit on." After greetings and introductions she proceeded to the kitchen to make us all Nepali tea.