The Forgotten Sons and Daughters of Nepal

"I have told repeatedly that I will never change my passport in this life, I will die with this Green(Nepali) Passport." Upendra Mahato, in picture, founder of Non Resident Nepalese Association, a highly successful businessman in Russia and an untiring Philianthropist.

Lately there has been an upsurge in discourses and discussions in much of the developing world regarding the possibilities of harnessing the human capital of the expatriates and the non-residential nationals. In doing so, it is believed that since the individual has historical familial connections to the native country, should opportunities be there, he or she is generally motivated to be associated with the previous country.

मैले पटक पटक भनेको छु, म मेरो जीवनमा पासपोर्ट कहिल्यै परिवर्तन गर्दिन भनेर, म यही हरियो पासपोर्टलाई साथमै राखेर मर्ने हो, नेपालको हरियो राहादानी लिन विदेशीलाई लालायित बनाएर मर्ने हो - See more at: http://www.bizmandu.com/content/-5351.html#.U5QloyjdoUM

In our country as well, with the achievement of relative peace questions like

"How to get non-residential Nepalese to contribute to development of Nepal?"
and "How can we get our brightest sons and daughters back to our land?"

have been asked as the focus of the nation shifts to infrastructure development and economics.

Sadly, so far we have not been able to provide concrete answers to those questions. Neither have the efforts by the diaspora been of substantial success in socioeconomic transformation of Nepal.

More than six million Nepalese stay abroad for various reasons. A sizable proportion of them are in South Asia who have nearly inseparably mingled with the local community, while others are migrant workers, students pursuing higher education, while others are involved in business or administration in the adopted country. As we delve into this issue, there is a trend to talk about two main classes of Nepalese who wish to connect to Nepal: those who are Citizens of Nepal and those who are not. This classification is legally important because a state can not treat the both sets of people equally in all affairs. However it is only a result of primitive thinking to refer to a certain set of Nepal's sons and daughters as 'run aways'.

Generally when people leave Nepal for countries abroad, they leave with heavy hearts. They generally leave their families and friends not because they want to but because they have to. Often the knowledge they so endear is impossible to acquire in Nepal: we do not have laboratories for higher levels of scientific experimentation and on other occasions people leave Nepal for economic security or to safer and more stable cultures where there is a social apparatus that respects labour.

Yes, people who forfeit citizenship of our country for the citizenship of another still want to contribute to Nepal's development; there is a huge proportion of people who feel like this. And the nation should be able to make proper and substantial use of that affection.

Brain Gain

In such a context, we take a look at some of the methods that may make it possible for the extended family to contribute to Nepal.

1. Investment in Infrastructure

One of the areas Nepal can directly benefit from the expatriates is in the field of investment in infrastructure. Based in Russia, Upendra Mahato is probably the richest Nepali on the globe and has shown interest in investment in Nepal besides philanthropic efforts. Shesh Ghale, the current president of Non Resident Nepalese Association is amongst the richest persons in Australia.

No, it is not that only those who make it to the Forbes list can help, these are just a few names. Ordinary men and women can get united through forums like Non Resident Nepalese Association, Non Resident Madheshis Association and invest in the promising hydropower and tourism industries, to cite a few examples.

The government can bring out initiatives which can help expatriates at any level of economic or social hierarchy to contribute. One such project run in Ireland, correctly named ConnectIreland, has been able to attract foreign direct investment and has created new jobs for the Irish people. Through this initiative ordinary people, generally expatriates, are encouraged to provide the details of a company abroad which are expanding and might also locate in Ireland. If the company does agree to set up in Ireland the government pays a handsome sum to the person, the 'finder'.

Furthermore, special seats can be allocated to the influential expatriate organizations or personnel in the Nepal Investment Board as well to attract the much needed Foreign Direct Investment.

2. Sharing of Expertise:

Nepalese have achieved some of the highest recognition in the fields of Science and Management and a huge number shall continue to excel in those sectors in days to come.

Nepalese are professors and researchers in some of the best universities of the world, and a lot of them have succeeded in gaining the highest administrative access. The Government should provide platforms which promote sharing of expertise of the scientists and intellectuals which can be beneficial in upgrading the status of the educational and research centers here in Nepal. The planners and  in various governmental institutions can also benefit form them.

Some considerable programs tried elsewhere, worth mentioning in this regard is China's Ten-Thousand Talents Program, also known as the Special Support Plan for National High Level Talents. While we may not be able to pay lofty financial aids or funds in return, the state can do more like manage voluntary expeditions to educational institutions in our country. This will create an environment of exchange of ideas and expertise that can benefit Nepalese organizations.

3. Brand Ambassadors and Lobbyists for Nepal:

Expatriates can be the most easily accessible and the most trustworthy ambassadors of the Brand Nepal. The government should appoint influential people in the diaspora as campaigners for promotion of tourism or trade.

Nepalese living in various parts of the world can help in promoting Nepal as a prime tourism destination. Celebraties like Prabal Gurung and Udit Narayan are valuable assets for Nepal in this regard. This will not only aid the passionate Nepalese to really contribute to Nepal but will help the government in the much needed advertisement.

Similarly, the Nepalese diaspora working in any positions or responsibilities in the foreign lands can promote Nepal as a safe and rewarding investment opportunity.

When Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited India in 2009, Aditya Jha; a Canadian born in Mahottari, Nepal; was one of the seven Canadian delegates chosen to travel with him. This shows the level of influence that some Nepalese expatriates have achieved in their adapted societies. It is also a suggestion of just how important it is indeed to engage with the diaspora if we are to promote Brand Nepal.

Expatriates: Nepal's Untapped Resources

A lot of Nepalese who left Nepal still love the country, they still are passionate about the events that take place here and have keen interests in helping this country become more a developed civilization and economy. After all, their identity is indelibly linked to this land.

The point, therefore, is about bridging the chasm: Nepal can benefit by utilizing the passion and skills of its sons and daughters abroad while helping them build stronger ties with the communities here in Nepal and the world over. We can create an atmosphere where all Nepalese regardless of their current abode can help build and take pride in their home.

As we depart, I leave you with this short movie written and directed by Arpan Regmi, presented by Yuva Arts.

म नेपाल जान्छु!

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  Image and quote courtsey of Bizmandu.com.