With the exception of Mt. Everest, Nepal has very little that the mainstream media finds newsworthy. You cannot really blame the Western media though; this small land-locked country of South Asia does not get much coverage in regional Asian press either. Naturally, anything that is hidden from the eye tends to acquire a sense of enigma over a period of time, and the Nepalese nation has done just that.
Enigmatic or not, such seclusion comes at a price; most of the time, progress tends to slow down, and in this article, I shall attempt to analyze the state of Nepal and its current situation.
But before that, let me ask you: think of Nepal, and what comes to your mind first? Alright, probably Mt. Everest again! And? A small-ish country that has somehow managed to defy most of the colonial powers in the past? Apparently, this very small country, in spite of its brave history, seems to be heading towards a rather downward spiral.
So, what exactly is happening in Nepal?
Multiple things, to be honest. But since we live in a world that defines and assesses your worth on the basis of your wallet, I will begin with the economy.
Economy
The Nepalese economy has the potential to see its own share of high tides. However, one does not simply emerge as an economic power, especially when one is surrounded by ever evolving economies both in the north and south. Truth is, anything that Nepal seems to do in terms of economics, India and China have managed to do better.
In fact, the stagnant economy was one of the key aspects of the manifesto of the revolution that toppled the monarchy in Nepal and transformed the erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom into a Republic. Yet, the conditions have not changed. Or at least they have not changed for the better, sadly.
The primary flaw of the Nepalese economy has been the rampant corruption, which has crippled the entire homespun economic model. There can be multiple reasons for this: lack of capitalist and privatization model, excessive state interference in the growth model, little foreign trade, untapped natural resources, and so on. But at the end of the day, if you are seeking reasons for the major reasons behind the dismal state of Nepalese economy, you do not need to look so far.
Truth is, the monarchy has been replaced by a government that is not, by any means, stable. Political instability is the mother of economic fluctuation. Add to it the fact that a land-locked country in a mountainous region does not have the best opportunities in terms of infrastructure, and you have all the recipes for economic disasters. In spite of it all, the Nepalese economy has proven to be resilient enough; even during the last days of the monarchy, Nepal managed to retain the homespun characteristic of its economies.
Also, if anything, Nepalese economy is marred more by the disparity in income and poverty, as well as cultural issues.
Speaking of cultural issues, this brings me to my next point.
Culture and Society
In many parts of Nepal, menstruating women are not allowed to enter their own houses—orthodox Hinduism and regional beliefs consider menstruating women to be “impure”, and as such, they are required to spend the days outside their own house, eat from separate utensils, and so on. In rural and remote parts, women are often forced to sleep in the open, and there have been many cases of rape and abduction. (For more, read this.)
With a decent growth in population and education, Nepal is going through a transitionary phase. Yet, religious dogmas and godmen dominate the society even to this day. And by domination, I do not mean the Indian or Pakistani model, where the major cities have managed to develop a rational line of thought, and the dogmatic lifestyle is best witnessed in rural or semi-urban areas. In Nepal, even the capital city of Kathmandu is predominantly orthodox and often superstitious.
For a good number of years, Nepal was the world’s only Hindu kingdom. After the elimination of monarchy, a series of laws have been passed to uplift the status of women and the outcasts, especially during and after the year 2005. Doesn’t help; you do not outlaw centuries-old traditions within weeks, do you?
This is where Nepal seems to be staggering: with rapid modernization and urbanization becoming the norm all around the world, the Nepalese society is finding it extremely difficult to cope with the changing trends. The outcome is anyone’s guess: crime rate rises, poverty increases, gender disparity deepens, and discontentment sets in.
Politics and Diplomacy
Nepal is situated between two big regional powers, China and India (talk about strategic location, eh?). For many years, Nepal and India have acted as each other’s de facto allies, including treaties that allowed citizens of one country to travel to another sans a visa. As a matter of fact, back in the day, Hindu right-wingers in India always loved Nepal for being the world’s only Hindu kingdom.
However, after the elimination of the Nepalese monarch, things have started to change. Today, Nepal seems to be trying to balance its position vis-a-vis India and China. The current regime has visible left-wing tendencies, and it receives its share of sympathy and affection from China. Naturally, India does not like the Chinese advances towards its age-old friend. Add to this the fact that on the world map, Nepal is situated right below where Tibet used to be (and while we are at it, also slightly near to the Kashmir region), and I hate to sound so pessimistic, but you have another historical contentious issue in the making between India and China.
Plus, the current regime in Nepal has its own internal challenges to face. Hardline Communists have denounced the current leadership, by citing deviance from ideology as a reason. Establishing secularism in a country that has not really seen religious tolerance, fighting corruption, keeping the monarchy loyalists at bay (and executing them whenever the need arises, or mood be), improving the infrastructure, balancing judiciary, legislature and military powers—enough tasks for a lifetime!
Appraisal…
Nepal currently ranks fourth on the list of countries (as per UN climate research statistics) that are vulnerable due to climate change. Sadly, the majority of the Nepalese people do not understand or grasp this fact; as a result, environment-damaging practices continue unaffected and unhindered.
But every cloud has a silver lining. Amidst all this, the efforts of the government to eliminate economic and religious problems may have been thwarted as of now, but a proper political setup has, at least, ensured that Nepal as a country realizes bigger issues such as climate change and the need for regional peace and prosperity.
Thus far, Nepal has done a good task of balancing its relations with India and China, and also made significant advances in terms of electricity management. The road so far has not been a joy ride for Nepal, and it looks even more disturbing in the next few decades. The outcome remains to be seen.
What Mr. Sufyan bin Uzayr has written to some extent is a limited edition of what is available in the websites. I would probably say it as a immature writing. I think his research needs to be more refined in aspect of reality and what’s really happening?
Nepal is an under developed country and for every good reason, it is trying its best in managing its economy where tourism and foreign revenue are a huge boost to its support.
Due to its geographical location and diplomatic relations, it is bound to limit its opportunities and other endeavors. The reach of Internet and telecommunication is growing, similarly education rates have gone up, various awareness programs are breaking the orthodox tradition of women related issues,
local villages are transforming into business centers, this is not just an example of where Nepal is leading but one can visualize the efforts. One thing what Mr Uzayr needs to understand is Nepal is not an ordinary terrain like India, Nepal has a vivid wide terrain which makes it beautiful as well as challenging from all sides.
Looking at its Natural resource capacity, its water resources is its strength where especially if you look at the current scenario, Indian state is exploiting the broader treaty by making dams on its borders and taping the water resources drowning and causing unwanted flooding in Nepal’s Region.
Apart from that technically looking at Nepal, Nepal has been a play ground for various super powers like the US, European union, Indian state, China etc not just to counter each other but moreover the vested interest prolongs with the regional diplomacy to business exploitation to other strategies and other issues of concern.
Likewise, if you look at the political scenario, the so called Maoist Revolution( people’s war) that took the country to a new phase has been an important part of learning for Nepal’s Politically upfront. Corruption, favoritism, Nepotism, etc has gone up but on contrary the country is moving in the path of no discrimination which counts. Moreover, Nepal has been declared as a secular country.
Nepal’s leaders have been hugely influenced by the India strategy where the out-casting of the monarch was a conspired plan to make Nepal vulnerable.
Time and again the interference of the regional diplomats in the territorial strategy and other issues have topped newspapers which can be researched online.
Regarding climate change, UK funded projects like Xtreme Everest are being carried out in the Everest region for the sake of Humanity. May be Nepal has not been able to grow and show its power but it has been facilitating many countries in proving their economies and consolidating their pride of being powerful.
Nepal certainly is the youngest republican country which deserves its share of presence and independence. If only the regional and diplomatic concern could stop interrupting and its leaders could understand the values of its sovereignty then Nepal can stand proud with its new image…
Thanks for your detailed comments.
Sadly, as far as I see it, your comment is more full of patriotism than analysis — which is not a bad thing, to be frank, but I tend to disagree with certain aspects of your statements.
I never said Nepal is failing in managing its economy; I just said what you too repeated, albeit my method was more blunt: Nepalese economy is suffering at the hands of geographical conditions, corruption, et al.
“Nepal has a vivid wide terrain which makes it beautiful as well as challenging from all sides.”
True, I didn’t refute that even once. However, let’s keep it just commentary and not affectionate such as “beautiful”. Fact is, Nepalese culture is being dominated by the orthodoxy; and even though certain measures are being taken, as of now, the success rates are negligible. Like you yourself said, Nepal has been declared a secular country, and that’s a good thing. But the ill effects of orthodoxy are still prevalent in the society to a HUGE extent.
“Nepal’s leaders have been hugely influenced by the India strategy where the out-casting of the monarch was a conspired plan to make Nepal vulnerable.”
I’m sorry, but I would discard this as sheer blind patriotism. If you are looking for conspiracy theories, you can find many of them. India had great terms with the monarch, and that’s a well known fact, so I will not buy this theory of yours. But if you think the removal of monarchy has made Nepal vulnerable, you must also bear in mind that secularism, even on paper, would’ve been impossible under the King.
When you say India has been friend of Nepal- Who do you think is going to buy it? Let me give you one example – Recently there was a big flood in Western part of Nepal – the reason as per the locals is India opened the dam without letting Nepalese know. Is that a friendship India is showing? India itself is pushing Nepal toward China by showing these kind of behavior and of course China utilizes it. Not only with Nepal almost every neighbor if you look at, you will see it. No one has to explain it. If you talk about Maoist issue in Nepal and you blame China for that, no one can be more hypocrite than you because you know that there is a very powerful country behind that. The fire that burnt Nepal will eventually burn India as well, while India is thinking of burning Tibet with the fire in Nepal. You are writing foreign policy article be more mature, that’s all I could say.
You talked about a recent issue; I myself have said how India was great friends with Nepal back in days of monarchy, and now, things have changed (slightly). Yet, nothing is as hostile as you claim it to be.
Once again, I’m not defending any country here, but citing India as responsible for burning Nepal or any other country is more like blind patriotism.
Flooding Nepal by opening the dam has been a long tradition of india , it is not just a recent issue. I am not blaming india for the fire, as I said someone else is responsible but India cannot say anything against that country but supported that country burn the fire by providing training to the terrorist group which is found clearly in wikileaks documents. When you say India supported monarchy? why india trained Maoists? Delhi played a major role in throwing monarchy, everyone knows that, like 12 point agreement between seven political parties to throw king were signed where? I accept there are so many internal problem in Nepal but as your site says it is foreign policy journal, So may be it is my mistake I was seeking more of foreign policy stuff.
Give me one major national problem Nepalese have solved on their own or one major project Nepalese government have completed on their own without foreign assistance. Don’t sprout your blind patriotism and inability to withstand constructive criticism here. Just learn to have mature argument before calling others immature instead of projecting on someone your leaders’ ineffectiveness and inability to solve national problems
I could give you plenty of examples but that’s not my point here. How can a small country like Nepal solve the problem when a big country which is proud to be the largest democracy trains terrorists and send to Nepal? How? you don’t want it to be independent so that you always help make it unstable. You helped these terrorists to throw monarchy and now the same tongue says India loved monarchy. Stop playing nonsense games.
In more international perspective, How can you solve your problem with Pakistan when there is another country much more powerful than you, is playing at the both side. Think about it, you Indians need to be more educated and more convincing to prove your points. Protect your country since the fire you enjoyed watching burn Nepal is spreading towards india. As for your point of blind patriotism, I am a global citizen. the earth is my home. I see Nepal as an entity, nothing more than that.
You and global citizen do not go on same line. Please don’t embarrass yourself in public forum.
Wow you seem to be so much interested in the last part of my reply. Any thoughts on the other part of my reply? Truth is bitter most of the time but u have no choice other than accepting it.
No, I didn’t comment on the other parts because they are not worthy of comments. You have a lot of work to do if you really wanna participate in reasonable and honest arguments, my fellow Nepali brother. All of us love Nepal and wish things are better, but that doesn’t change the fact that the current Nepalese condition resulted in large part from the collective failures of Nepalese political and social system.
Everyone knows that. I am pretty sure you find all these things in college books. Since this article seems to have too much biased opinions which praises india. I would not have any problem if it was neutral. What USA has to do with the current situation in Nepal? What EU Union, China or India? It does not have a balanced approach that is my problem. I started to speak against india since the writer is trying to hide Indian’s policy.
I just asked for a single source and you don’t have it. That is sad.
You expect to find it in college book. You wont find it there, it is analysis. You connect the dot and u get to the conclusion.
So you are saying you can’t give evidence on your claims? And again how exactly can you connect the dots when you do not even know what your claim components are based on?
look at the events in the history. instead of asking other whether they went to college or not, just refer the documents from worldwide renowned whistle blowers. that’s it my friend. I recalled one of my fren who wants to find every answers in college book. such a joke.
I didn’t say you find every answers on book. You made a specific claim and I asked for the basis on which you were making that claim. Now since you yourself don’t have any clue/evidences about stuffs you are saying, whats the point of talking?
I cannot spoon feed you man on how to find those information. I gave you techniques to do research that’s all about it. and you are right there is no point in talking since you need to do more research.
I’m not trying to hide anything or defend India’s stand. It’s just that I refuse to buy conspiracy theories that easily. Show me proof, and I’ll agree. Until then, alien abductions and theories about India hurting Nepal can rest.
Also, don’t fall for propaganda-based school books. The party-in-power often decides what kids study in school and college. :-)
Look whoever has funded you to write in favor of them, I don’t care. Of course you need money to live. but to earn money you could be more balanced that’s all I meant. Why don’t you mention anything about India.
look at the past how many times India has hurted Nepal. Look at the history. they are always there.
Indians encroaching Nepalese land, u need proof? Nepalese opening dam to flood Nepal, u need proof? SD Muni mentioning Maoist’s relationship with india in his book, u need proof?
In regards with the school book you mentioned, I am trying to tell your supporter the same same thing since he asked me whether I go to college or not.
Ok, I refuse to answer your comments any further. I write these articles for no payment; I already have a decent web design business for my livelihood. You, sir, however, have crossed the line bit too much by claiming that I “earn money” out of this and my opinions have been funded.
Healthy debate is one thing, name-calling is another, and shameless and baseless accusations are yet another. I’d suggest a check in attitude next time when you comment on someone’s articles.
You saved me the effort of replying to the above comment. Thanks!
That answer was totally out of track than what I mentioned in my post. he could not address the point I raised and I don’t know how it saved you either. bunch of joke.
India was never friend of Nepal and cannot be friend .Government of India just want to get benefits from Nepal natural resources and people.The foreign policy of India is always against the people of Nepal and its government. .My sincer request to writer ,Please do some strong research before using friendship word between Nepal and India .
How about you stop sprouting your blind patriotism and start working to develop a better country. I think Uzayr made excellent points about the present state of Nepal. Of course you don’t like the criticism, but don’t act like other people (and even a Nepali like me) would blindly buy your bs.
“May be Nepal has not been able to grow and show its power but it has been facilitating many countries in proving their economies and consolidating their pride of being powerful.” What do you mean by that? How exactly has Nepal done so? and even if it had done so, what positive effects it had in Nepal?
Talk about foreign interference: whose fault was that exactly? It is the greedy, corrupted and ineffective Nepalese leaders who invited foreign interference because they couldn’t do their job effectively.
“Looking at its Natural resource capacity, its water resources is its strength where especially if you look at the current scenario, Indian state is exploiting the broader treaty by making dams on its borders and taping the water resources drowning and causing unwanted flooding in Nepal’s Region.”
Indian state is violating its treaty..lets say India is doing that and that is unlawful, but again don’t you feel embarrassed to complain about Indians when your government is not even competent enough to use its own resources to produce electricity or build one dam or road on its own?
Inability to grasp the reality of grave situation and to accept constructive criticism is infectious to Nepal’s future.
You need gold medal for your analysis. but you sound like a kid, I don’t want to say anything more but just straight words. If Nepalese government speaks against India , Indian government sends terrorists to Nepal like they did by sending Maoists to throw king. Don’t you see it ? What Nepalese have been able to achieve is its sovereignty as of current situation. Nepal is fighting to preserve its sovereignty, So they never get chance to develop the country, there is a cold war between Nepal and india that’s why Nepal is not able to develop at the moment but when Nepal gets more support from other countries. SO it has been a long war buddy, I would not expect more than preserving its sovereignty for now. Development comes after it is stable.
Indian sent Maoists to overthrow the king? What is your evidence? I remember Nepalese people participating in 19 days protests to overthrow then king in 2063 which means your analysis that India sent people to Nepal to overthrow king is kiddish and stupid.
And on what basis did you assume me to be an Indian on your other comment? I am a fucking Nepali, Got it? Fighting for sovereignty? Who has attacked Nepal so that it has to fight for sovereignty now? You know I don’t expect much more or substantive arguments other than personal attack from a ignorant and clueless person like you and I am not wasting my time debating you. I have much better things to do while you stay there infront of your computer trying to look for some ways to find excuses for Nepalese leaders’ ineptitude and stupidity.
Where were Nepalese Maoists trained?
Please give me a source of your claim? Did you not go to college to learn that you have to support your points with evidences?
Do you know what a wiki leak is? they have all documented it. Go and do research. I don’t want to waste my time to teach you how to do research, since you seem to be going to college.
haha..so that means you don’t have evidence. What a joke you are.
What could be better source for you than the cables sent by Indian ambassador to US ambassador? or vice versa. So sad you don’t even know what a wiki leak is. LOL.
Anyway thank you for your replies. I hope you come with better arguments next time around. Bye.
So sad that in this 21st century you act like person from 16th century.
oh really? Congress, UML were doing the same shitty protests for 1 year. but after India signaled maoist to join the protest, king was thrown in 19 days, and yes I remember that. You are in darkness. they only way to get out of darkness is switch on the lights.
haha..
Is that wrong? Don’t tell me 12 points agreement was signed in the moon.
It is being said that it was signed in India but who signed it? Nepalese did, right? Did you see the copy of agreement yourself?
Uzayr deserves gratitude for this synopsis. This piece could not have painted as comprehensive picture of Nepal as we would expect but certainly he cannot be blamed for a bias. Nor is the article in the typical format for the coverage of under-developed countries in world’s mainstream media.
This said, my impression of the article is that the author has tried to depict a bird’s eye view of Nepal. If one goes to the details of an aspect of Nepal, that would elaborate the same but would inevitably miss the many other threads. A better understanding of the society needs articles of both category: those dealing with state of affairs in general and a development or a trend in particular. To exemplify, this article ( http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2013/05/10/nepal-era-of-total-impunity-in-sight/ ) deals with the issue of corruption and the process of institutionalization of the same in Nepal. The news reports and columns in Kathmandu dailies and magazines similarly shed light on any particular issue of the day.
At the end, we need a vibrant discourse that includes appraisal of society at both micro- and macro- levels to understand the society better. While most of the mainstream media gives us a rather stereotyped version of societies at various levels in the global hierarchy of power, occasional articles in alternative outlets give crucial insights into the aspects of society that are often ignored.
Finally I look forward to read more from Uzayr and other authors about Nepal because many things that can be seen from outside are often missed when viewed from inside (as I often do in my blog http://www.jiwankshetri.blogspot.com) because of our biases.
Thanks for the feedback!
Enjoyed reading your blog too.
a pleasure to read. however i find your depiction of Nepalese society grossly inaccurate.
Nepal is a beautiful place. Nothing more than that today.