KATHMANDU: Counterintuitive it might seem given all the positive media coverage on Nepal’s ambitious campaign of bringing in over 2 million tourists in 2020.
Sounds weird. Nonetheless, the issue that has gone viral on social media about Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation in Australia, should not be locked in a box. It should go the wraps off.
Fine, Minister Bhattarai’s intention might not be faulty but proved to be detrimental, on humanitarian ground, at a time when Australia was burning, being ravaged by the worst-ever forest fire the country had seen in decades with over two dozen people killed, over 12 million acres devoured and thousands wildlife dead.
However, actions matter more than intentions. Remember the tagline: “Lifetime Experiences”.
Now, questions crop up, was it the right time to organize the event when the whole world was aware of the disaster in Australia?
Coming to the crux, the much-hyped promotional rally led by Minister Bhattarai and his team was barred by Australia’s local police from organizing it citing ‘ill-timed’ and ‘not approved’.
Another question arises: Was the Nepali Embassy in Australia unaware of the system of seeking approval from the local authorities prior to organizing an event?
Perhaps not! It may sound a bit harsh to mention here that this latest development that is sure to tarnish Nepal’s image in the international arena, is the fallout of appointing an ambassador on the basis of political affiliation or nepotism. Apologies Excellency Mahesh Raj Dahal!
That’s why the Events Planning Unit of the NSW Police had explicitly asked the rally organizers to refrain from organizing the ‘promotional rally’ for a number of reasons, including the fear that the footpath would be blocked by the rally participants thus obstructing access for pedestrians.
Here, the intent of this piece is not to humiliate or dishonor the minister, who reached Australia with the vigor of promoting VN2020 in the island continent but to caution the authorities concerned to act by considering the possible consequences.
However, taking to social media, Minister Bhattarai has defended his move refuting the news reports as ‘misleading’ and aimed at hurting Nepal-Australia ties. He shrewdly said such reports would tarnish the country’s image.
To reiterate, the issue seems preposterous given all the positive media coverage that Minister Bhattarai’s efforts to make the VN2020 successful. Especially early on in his tenure this year, the magazine covers, the articles, and his interviews about his initiatives suggest an extreme restyling in his efforts.
Bhattarai, however, did not start from scratch. He or his ministry does not have to carry the burden alone as Nepal’s business and tourism sectors are in full shape to extend their support. Everyone is doing a good job. Therefore, Nepal has a generally positive image. However, tourism promotion on the part of the government surely plays a role in brand building.
The domino effect of this particular incident is yet to come as social media users in Nepal are particularly negative on the case even though the objective of the event was to find ways to encourage Australian citizens to visit Nepal in all seasons.
At a time when Nepal, which is celebrating the VN2020 campaign, waits to see how the country welcomes 2 million tourists this year, will now observe what the Government of Nepal or Minister Bhattarai will do next.
Nepali people will, undoubtedly, seek an answer to it.
Few, mainly Minister Bhattarai’s coterie, might hang on to Bhattarai’s every single excuse. However, Nepali people have yet to see how he will react.
Not to forget that Minister Bhattarai was scheduled to participate in what was dubbed as ‘grand inaugural ceremony’ of VN2020 to be organized by the Embassy of Nepal in Sydney on January 7. And it was all planned earlier.
Australian citizen Chris Walker, who visited Nepal for 58th time, was also scheduled to address the ‘grand’ program.
Travel agencies of Australia, too, have already issued packages of VN2020 at the initiative of the Nepali Embassy there. It should be recalled that over 34 thousand Australian tourists visited Nepal in 2019.
To conclude, the question is whether a few persons’ thoughtlessness can tarnish the country’s image.
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