Nepal's Development Depends On Reforms

Added: (Thu Oct 12 2006)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Nepal's Development Depends On Reforms

Kamala Sarup


Can the Nepal realistically expect to gain more wealth relative to
other countries in the future? The answer is yes.

But it is necessary to state the specific requirements for higher
incomes and then look historically at the geographies,
cultures,economies and polities that affected these requirements for
Nepal to see if some generalizations can be drawn that will be useful
to Nepal.

In doing so, we must recognize that we indulge out selves in a
value-judgment: acquiring material wealth is "good", and not doing so
is "bad". This statement acknowledges the leaders in Nepal who eschew
these values, who must prefer to spend the studies and labor of Nepali
people, who must consider material wealth a necessary evil that must
be tolerated only to the extent of sustaining life and no more.

However, Nepal's geographical disadvantage is offset by its
geographical location at former trade routes between rich countries
that allowed it to accumulate sufficient capital and technology to
"move mountains" (or, at least penetrate them with tunnels and cross
the valleys with bridges) and prosper. Like for example the Balkan
countries in southeastern Europe enjoyed no such advantage and
suffered economic stagnation.

Nations with too many mountains and too few navigable waterways:

Tajikistan, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan. If Afghanistan and Tibet were
included, they would, no doubt, also fall into this group for the same
reasons. Therefore, the geography of a country like in Nepal is an
important determinant of its ability to achieve greater wealth.

The use of technologies depends not only on geography, but also on
culture. How can you teach a farmer or factory worker to perform
simple tasks efficiently if he/she cannot read or write? Thus, we have
to developed educational system, and to teach children how to read
mathematics, science, engineering, and programming may achieve
material wealth, because technologies depend on technical education.

Therefore, even if we had adequate technologies, which we don't, we
would not even be able to adequately maintain imported technologies
because of our poorly educated technicians. And also we need to
understand, the use of technologies depends not only on geography and
culture, but also on the economy of nations. Subsistence economies,
Aborigines, resulted in our subjugation and doom by people with more
advanced economies that featured the division of labor, technologies,
and trade.

However, it will take a long time because poor and dependable economic
system must be eradicated. Rural economic reforms program can survive
longer if our workforce become immune within a country. That is why it
is important to eliminate bad government, corruption and dependable
policy.

In summary, the kind of economy and polity determine the ability of
Nepal to become rich and the successes of effective economic system
has prevailed over other forms the world over. As we know, it is clear
that a Nepal with an unfavorable geography, or culture, or economy is
countries in southeastern Europe enjoyed no such advantage and
suffered economic stagnation.

Nations with too many mountains and too few navigable waterways:

Tajikistan, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan. If Afghanistan and Tibet were
included, they would, no doubt, also fall into this group for the same
reasons. Therefore, the geography of a country like in Nepal is an
important determinant of its ability to achieve greater wealth. The
use of technologies depends not only on geography, but also on
culture. How can you teach a farmer or factory worker to perform
simple tasks efficiently if he/she cannot read or write? Thus, we have
to developed educational system, and to teach children how to read
mathematics, science, engineering, and programming may achieve
material wealth, because technologies depend on technical education.

Therefore, even if we had adequate technologies, which we don't, we
would not even be able to adequately maintain imported technologies
because of our poorly educated technicians. And also we need to
understand, the use of technologies depends not only on geography and
culture, but also on the economy of nations. Subsistence economies,
Aborigines, resulted in our subjugation and doom by people with more
advanced economies that featured the division of labor,
technologies,and trade.

However, it will take a long time because poor and dependable economic
system must be eradicated. Rural economic reforms program can survive
longer if our workforce become immune within a country. That is why it
is important to eliminate bad government, corruption and dependable
policy.

In summary, the kind of economy and polity determine the ability of
Nepal to become rich and the successes of effective economic system
has prevailed over other forms the world over. As we know, it is clear
that a Nepal with an unfavorable geography, or culture, or economy is
severely handicapped to make sufficient technological advances that
increase the wealth and living standards of its people. But no doubt
about it, Nepal can be economically independent, rich and prosperous
country. Than how ?

Nepal is a small country, without significant resources. It is
surrounded by India and China. With its natural non-aligned,
non-aggressive tendencies, Nepal will grow comfortably and smoothly.
The age-old problem of equitable economic wealth distribution will
present the most interesting opportunities and possibilities for
Nepali people and planners in the next thirty years. It will be
fascinating to see what these patriotic individuals develop in this
regard. Moreover, the active assistance and encouragement of the
international community is sometimes needed in Nepal.

In the economic development which has been pioneered by NGOs and some
European and Asian thinkers in allowing women to perform a very
natural function as market makers and entrepreneurs. This thinking
takes economic development for LCDs a step further by viewing women as
holistic entities instead of mere consumers. If done in tandem with
targeted infrastructure development, it will almost always result in a
success. Income distribution and land reform create enormous
non-productive babble-gabble conversations but little or no results.


Fortunately, Nepal with their much more ancient societal wisdom-base,
do not share completely in this modern mindless enthusiasm. As Nepal
adjusts to her newly-found economic and social power, it will
naturally seek to test their limits. Fortunately, except for a
fanatical few, Nepal is not under the self-delusion. Nepal has always
taken the long view of contributing to the well-being of the world
through sharing the results of its long spiritual journey and its
wisdom. It is an exciting time to be a Nepal and will be for the next
hundred years or so.