Prosperous Nepal has become a buzz word in every nook and corner of this country. It appears as if people from all walks of life possess expertise in making Nepal a prosperous country. However, merely talking about prosperity does not yield results. Practical prosperity requires an integrated approach to development resulting in economic growth.
In my writing ranging in three series, I attempt to present my ideas into making Nepal a developed country in a short period.
Most of the models developed for nation building are lengthy and difficult to be understood by common people. A development model should be based on our natural resources and the country’s situation.
My model of nation-building is based on “three pillars” that will drive Nepal in the right direction on time.
Most of the models developed for nation building are lengthy and difficult to be understood by common people. A development model should be based on our natural resources and the country’s situation.
As per this model, politicians should embrace “Deca Da (ten yes) and Penta Niet (five no) model of nation-building effectively and efficiently. Firstly, let me elucidate “Deca Da” model of nation building before I jump over to “Penta Niet” model of nation-building.
Deca Da Model of Nation Building:
This model has ten modules of nation-building based on Nepal’s reality and necessity.
Transportation: A nation without connectivity via land road, waterways or air routes is a nation in development doldrums. That is why Nepal should be connected via roads so that mobility of goods and people will be circulated from one point of origin to another point of transport. Transportation is very important for Nepal’s integrated development.
America developed faster than Russia because of proper synchronization of transportation and electrification. Nepal should learn this lesson from America.
Electrification: Electrification means energy produced from renewal and non-renewable resources like solar, wind, water, biomass, and geothermal, oil, natural gas, coal, and nuclear energy sources. Since civilizations and innovations got enhanced with the invention of electricity, electrification should go hand in hand with transportation.
America developed faster than Russia because of proper synchronization of transportation and electrification. Nepal should learn this lesson from America. Since Nepal is endowed with 6000 freshwater rivers, Nepal’s development planners should incorporate transportation alongside electrification.
For this, we can commence the construction of mega transportation and mega hydro projects in three working shifts in a day with each shift comprising eight hours. Such projects can employ thousands of Nepali jobless young generation. If it happens, no young Nepali individual has to look for scorching Gulf countries for minimum wages without personal security.
Agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of Nepali economy. Agribusiness and agro-based industries should be given due priority. It is high time that the country began modern agriculture based on genetic engineering along with agricultural diversity and commercialization.
The state should act as a medium of supply chains of agricultural products so that the “bichaulia” (broker or commission agents) system will cease to exist and the farmers and the customers will be benefited eventually. This will create a lot of employment opportunities within the agricultural domain. Nepal can become a world destination for “mountain organic agriculture” for carrying out research activities.
The country can export value-wise rather than quantity-wise medicinal products to China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the USA.
Herbal processing: Nepal is endowed with medicinal plants and animals. We can have state of art laboratories in every province where primary collection and processing of medical products can be carried out.
The country can export value-wise rather than quantity-wise medicinal products to China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and the USA. Nowadays, more than 80 percent of Nepal’s raw materials for medicinal products are exported to India with very low returns. Nepal’s medicine industry can generate jobs, money, and prestige.
Tourism: Nepal is naturally a gifted nation with fascinating tourist destinations along with warm and hospitable people. What we need is an integrated development model and a sober team of tourist professionals to serve the tourists.
Tourism can develop and prosper only if we welcome tourists at the airport with sober manner, drive them to the hotel through no-bumping, no dusty and no-noisy roads, excellent facilities in the hotel along with hot and cold water supply, delicious dinner, cozy rooms and excellent breakfast and care, smooth and timely transportation services, and attractive gifts will increase the number of the tourists. What has to be understood is that tourism cannot prosper with mere slogans or speeches.
Nepal can franchise an internally acclaimed brand to unique products from Nepal that will become popular globally. Most of the SMEs must be based on our local need and availability of natural resources. We can also promote local, traditional and indigenous knowledge, skills and techniques/technologies via the process of industrialization.
Industry: Nepal has to accelerate the pace of industrialization in tandem with the 21st century. Modernization and industrialization are intertwined like two sides of a coin. Nepal can set up SME (small and modicum entrepreneurship) in remote parts of the country depending on the locally available natural resources.
Nepal can franchise an internally acclaimed brand to unique products from Nepal that will become popular globally. Most of the SMEs must be based on our local need and availability of natural resources. We can also promote local, traditional and indigenous knowledge, skills and techniques/technologies via the process of industrialization.
Smart bureaucracy: Young and IT-friendly dynamic new generation should be staffed in bureaucracy to ensure smooth and efficient delivery. This shall do away with red-tapism. People-friendly and nation-friendly smart bureaucracy is a must to materialize good governance in Nepal.
Effective market regulation with sufficient salary for civil servants depending on national and international financial performance should be implemented to create a sense of change in the bureaucratic performance. If a bureaucrat indulges in corruption and lethargic performance even after providing sufficient facilities, the government’s anti-corruption body should take stern action immediately against a corrupt and non-performing bureaucrat. Bureaucracy should be free from political meddling.
(To be continued)
The author is the Professor at the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University.
Views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Khabarhub’s editorial stance.
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