NO CAPTION !!

Sometimes I feel as if I am broken and always will be, but I have to remind myself of an essential fact: I didn’t break myself. Maybe I can’t fully mend myself, either, but the first step must be to try to love myself as I am, though that often seems like the hardest task of all. I want to carry what’s mine to carry, claiming my life experiences, my war wounds, instead of wishing I’d had some other story. We’re all carrying something. I marvel at how beautiful we all are. 

Welcome to the new season !!

 

Almost three years ago, I met her at a time least expected. Braces, specs and a smile any human would envy of.  Recollecting these memories in itself is compelling me to smile amidst some tears honoring her. As I sit down to embrace a new season as her name means, I find myself in despair and chaos struggling to organize my life. Never in my life had I ever thought that the last coffee (with some leg fight under the table!) we had would be something I would strive to relive ever again. 

Five years. Five long years. It was in 2016 I wrote down my feelings here to appreciate someone whom I had crossed path with, never to meet again.  I had never imagined I would be here again in 2021 to appreciate someone who gave meaning to my life. TBH, I am unaware if we can ever meet to never separate again and holding our hands till we can. For now, I hope my utopian dream will come true. Maybe because it is the best thing to have?

Dear you, I am no less than a desperate kid. A kid who always seeks her mother’s love, care and affection. For me, you were a guardian who always stood aside to hold hands my hand as my steps weakened. From the bottom of my heart, I want to let you know that your sacrifice and dedication is something I will carry until the day this world bids farewell for my last journey. I promise! You have been a family away from a family.

And……

 I am sorry. Today I admit my mistakes. I have been the worst partner someone can ever have. A partner so stubborn to break his comfort zone that he would ruin all his relationship dishonoring better-half. I am sorry! Sorry because as a child I have had a different orientation. A child perceives things as he sees making it the ultimate reality of his life that he can’t escape from. After your departure, I realize life means respecting our differences so that we can never go different. This has been the biggest learning for me in the last 5 years. Thank you! Thank you for showing me how broad and beautiful this world can be.

Here again I dedicate these lines in your honor, for your sacrifice and support that no human can give me…

  “…..I know things have changed dramatically but my feelings for her are stagnant. Nothing like I didn’t try to move on regarding her. I tried a couple of times but every time I tried her memories went on captivating me within. The thing is I miss her even after I know I have been like a spoiled kid of a well-hearted mother. I still smile looking at our snaps, close my eyes and make a throwback to the times we were together holding each other’s hand down the road. It makes me more and more nostalgic even after you say there's nothing more left between us except our memories and my feelings for you. Yes, I still miss your hands, your company and the ultimate you!!” 

You have been a wonderful partner and you are always. And most importantly, growing up with you has been a blessing for me. I have learned to love, get matured and value someone’s presence in life. I still miss you! I hope this new weather will be a spring for our life we have always dreamed of. I believe there’s nothing I can’t fix for you to live this life with you.

      

 

 

Nepal's complication on foreign employment

Foreign Employment: Need or Greed?

Nepal has witnessed a long history of foreign employment. The historical evidences mention it was during the 19^th century when near about 200 Nepalese youths, particularly warriors migrated to Lahore, Pakistan to fight for Sikh ruler, Ranjit Singh and since then foreign employment is a major source of employment for us with more than 1.7 million working in India only. In today’s Nepal, both male and female find it relatively easier to ensure their better life in foreign land, however their expectations and harsh reality seem to have polarized far off from one another. An estimated 4,00,000 youths enter Nepalese market every year and in the absence of job opportunities and a fair competition, they travel towards India and other overseas nations seeking descent jobs. Political turmoil, years of conflict and economic hardship are the other major reasons behind huge exodus of such potential human resources.

According to annual report for Fiscal Year (FY) 2071/72 published by the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), 5,27,814 citizens boarded off for foreign soil which is 8% higher in comparison to 4,53,543 of FY 2069/70. In the first ten months of the current fiscal year, 348,628 have already taken approval for foreign employment and the rate is expected to rise significantly. An estimated figure of 1500 people waiting for departure at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) on a daily basis is an anti-thesis for all those who are still reluctant if there’s disproportional outflow of manpower.

The above figures do not give the actual number of those departing for foreign employment because many Nepalese leave for foreign employment through their contractors in India and their numbers remains unknown. So, the above is only the representative figure of those leaving from TIA through legal channels.

In between all facts and figures, there is a huge contribution of foreign employment in country’s economy i.e. 29.1% of total GDP. During the first ten months of FY 2015/16, the total remittance inflow to Nepal was Rs. 538.87 billion with 10.2% growth in comparison to 617.28 billion of previous fiscal year. The data presented by World Bank, 2015 show that Nepal is among top five countries to receive remittance as a share of its GDP. The Middle East nations are the major job providers since the Oil Boom of 1970’s and post-Gulf war of 1990’s and the need of employees in the region is extremely high. The following graph represents the major destination of Nepalese migrants including male and female during FY 2070/71:

Nations	Male	Female	Total
Qatar	126549	2325	128874
Malaysia	208120	6029	214149
Saudi Arabia	85905	971	86876
United Arab Emirates	49886	5079	54965
Kuwait	11393	7960	19353
Bahrain	3738	447	4185
Oman	2292	1143	3435
South Korea	1821	308	2125
Lebanon	306	811	1117
Israel	178	496	674
Afghanistan	598	7	605
Japan	1964	134	2098
Others	6098	3260	9358
Total	498848	28966	527814

                                                                        (Source: Department of Foreign Employment, 2014/15)

Although the escalating trend of migration opens up new doors of economic prosperity and opportunities, the complexities unleashed by it are unavoidable. Deception of workers begins from the manpower agencies which charge high for their placement, staking all their properties as collateral. Lacking endowment of specialized skills and poor academic qualification has resulted in low pay for long hours of monotonous physical efforts with payments often delayed by the contractors. Migrant workers are often reported to be deprived of accessing basic rights of proper food, hygienic living condition, dignified life and sound health. The issue of physical and mental abuses from the employers remains unaddressed lacking proper channel to raise their voice and absence of labor agreements with the host nations. The problems of the migrant workers have multiplied because many migrant workers leave the country without proper knowledge, education, skills and/or training placing a high trust on the agencies which facilitate their paperwork and in most cases they are found to be cheated. It is a common scene at TIA to see many migrant workers who are all set to board a plane in the upcoming few hours asking the fellow passengers to fill out the departure information form for them. Many migrant workers are found to be illiterate even with lack of basic knowledge to fill out a small form that can be filled in Nepali or English language. So a question may arise in the minds of the readers if these migrant workers will be able to speak out in case of any injustice in the foreign soil where language becomes the first barrier. So their struggle starts from day one, from the time their plane takes off the TIA.

If we reflect in our inner selves, there seems to be a growing trend of consumerism amongst many Nepalese, specially the youths. We need I-phones, motorbikes, houses in the cities, good looking clothes, sunglasses, branded watches and many more and we are ready to place ourselves in tough situations for the sake of fulfilling our dreams – the greed planted within us. If we talk to many migrant workers, they are found to be talking on the good sides of the foreign countries. They talk about facilities, services, infrastructures, beauty of the roads and the seas, good-good and only the good but they are rarely found to be talking about the hardships at their jobs, their working conditions, the difficult bosses, how they were deceived by their agents and the struggle in the first few months, the pain of the family separation and many more. Many of those who have left the country are found to be posting their Facebook profiles or pictures in Instagram or other social communication applications posing in the malls or in the clean roads and they in one way are showing off and on the other are luring many other Nepalese who see their posts back home and dream of taking the next flights someday anytime soon if possible to spend part of their lives in the so dreamt destinations. We rarely find anyone posing at their workplace. So these two habits are also unintentionally advertising and luring many more who will turn migrant workers in the near future.

A recent research report on Nepalese migrant workers reveals the presence of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during their stay which is carried back to Nepal on return. On the other hand, the death toll of migrant Nepali workers is soaring because of employers’ reluctance to provide facilities despite mentioned on Memorandum of Understanding. The Foreign Employment Promotion Board (FEPB) records a total of 842 deaths of Nepali migrant workers in the destination countries during FY 2013/2014, heart failure being the cause of death of 247 workers. The recent suicidal attack over 12 Nepalese migrants in Kabul, Afghanistan gripped the entire nation with sorrow exposing the vulnerabilities and security situation of Nepalese at war-torn countries.

What is more ironic is that the families of the Nepali diaspora have to face many legal obstacles even to bring back the bodies of their loved ones once they are dead, under “Kafeela System” practiced in Muslim nations. This system compels the legal migrant to have a sponsor within the country who supervises his/her activity and mainly is responsible for visa and legal status. There are dead bodies of workers placed in the coffins still waiting to be deported. This trait is an open negligence of Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 signed by UN member nations which clearly stands in favour of “protecting workers in the receiving state from the sending state under international law”. In case of illegal migrants, government lacks any accurate information on their current status as they have been missing for long or willingly out of communication. Things turn out to be worst when women are trafficked through illegal transit of Delhi and Dubai and sold over to either brothels or as domestic slaves. Maiti Nepal’s annual report 2014 shows 1,34,718 migrants were informed at the border and 1533 out of them went missing once they crossed the international border, however they were able to find 342 migrants and assist them.

To address the grievances, there seems an immediate need to call for an action. Though the Government of Nepal being accountable to ensure safety and security of its citizens has taken an initiative to establish supporting mechanism for women workers at the Embassies, results are not satisfactory. The government should highly discourage individual labor permits which makes laborer more prone to abuses, both mentally and physically. Mobilization of its technocrats for maintaining database of migrant workers can at least help the government to communicate with its citizens in needs and crises. Government needs to credit the efforts of various Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as Maiti Nepal with further technical and financial assistance to tackle trafficking of Nepalese women. Furthermore, the effectiveness of inter agencies coordination of Government of Nepal should be improved to implement cross verifying mechanism, discouraging the unprofessional practices of the lucrative business of manpower agencies, tagged as “traders of modern day slaves”.

Undoubtedly, the inflow of remittance is necessary economic operation of the underdeveloped nations like ours but insufficient for sustainable economic growth. “Is foreign employment going to solve the unemployment of future generations?” The question seems simple, yet can be answered through various dynamics. Sooner or later, what we will have to realize is exporting cheap labor at the cost of our stagnant economic growth of 0.77% is not beneficial for the future generations. There is an immense possibility for youths within Nepal to be self-reliant once they acquire capacity development training where the government too needs to coordinate for green growth. An approach to agro decentralization can pave the way for residents of all the areas in transforming subsistence farming to commercial one.

Yes, implementation of these initiatives does not seem to be straightforward but as a micro level effort we can at least develop a culture of investing remittance in productive sector such as hydro power, road and other physical infrastructure. This is a short-term strategy for portfolio investment till the long-term framework is railed up for action. What we necessarily need to intuit is there’s no alternative to practice of self-reliance for sounder economy and job creation. The development of the nation is a mirage until political stakeholders capitalize on its youth overcoming their political hegemony.

Mirages of Utopia and harsh realities

Red Revolution: A Utopian Mirage

 Nepal has always been home for multiculturalism which has been passed on from generation to generation.  So was the case when I got an opportunity to study the lives of villagers  at Phulpingdanda of Sindhupalchowk district, totally unaware of its socio-cultural scenario and economic hardship. Being trained as intervention facilitator for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) it was quite easy to get a glimpse of  their background. This observation gives an overview  of real Nepalese society at micro level, its structure, perception and the hardship that are unaddressed by the outsiders.

 Being a stronghold of the armed insurgency, people of this village had lots of experiences to share which could give  us an actual scenario during Maoist mayhem and people’s attitude towards it. What could have been better than interviewing a former Maoist rebel, Mr. Kumar Lama, member of the district committee. He stands as a symbolic character among those who sacrificed many things in the name of revolution,  their close ones and irreversible time that could build their future. Out of many, the cultural domination of feudal landlords and elite group with access to all resources was the major reason for people’s support to  the insurgency. People regarded as Dalit and of other cultural groups who were indigenous of the place never got any platform to practice gender and cultural equality. Moreover any of their steps for cultural transformation was strongly suppressed by higher caste citing  various reasons behind the injustices. On the other hand, as a result of dysfunctional  state mechanism to address the problems in the grass root people, particularly vulnerable and downtrodden groups, were polarized  between the haves and the haves not. People’s helplessness and desire was then well triggered by CPN (Maoist) who raised their voice on discrimination, inequality, injustice, feudalism, rampant corruption and poor governance. The desperate mentality of people to overcome their chaotic situation in a short time frame manipulated them in no time. By then rebel groups had handed weapons to unemployed youths for "Krambhangata(destruction of old)" who were in absolute dilemma regarding their future. “People’s political support has been changing from time and again.  We still can remember huge support for CPN (UML) which later turned out for Maoist and now dissatisfactions can be clearly seen,” says Mr. Lama who too seems to lack political awareness as many. Maoists were  able to capitalize on people’s destitute situation that impact of people’s participation could be noticed in their guts to open up about their under representation, cultural domination and hardship which never let them break free. In the name of  justice for the suppressed, many feudal landlords and people with different political view were severely threatened, compelled to abandon their home and often eliminated physically. This resulted in discouragement of untouchability, gender discrimination and other social problems such as dowry, gambling and polygamy. People’s level of consciousness too rose  but the irony is no such explanations can overshadow the fact that it was at the cost of many lives, especially the youths who were gunned downed during frequent firefights against security forces. The damage of costly physical infrastructures is yet another unavoidable outcome. Trapped in poverty, if they were fighting for any reason then majority were doing so for change that they wanted to see in the form of better livelihood and their inclusion in development mainstream. Visible factor that intensified the war was their high hope for better future and an expectation from “Prachandapath”.

Today, 11 years after the downfall of the centuries long monarchy, not any family among 300 households has witnessed developmental activity and economic prosperity in their life. Neither the educational status of the people nor their struggle for sustaining their lives has changed. Among 300 households only a single student was preparing for his SLC examination attending school almost at 2 hours'  walk. Majority of the children throughout the village  never attended school for SLC . Similarly, gambling, alcoholism and polygamy have again taken their roots . Domestic violence is an everyday issue which was temporarily neutralized.

On the other hand, infrastructure that stood strong before the conflict is  now turned down into rubbles. Scarcity of water is an perpetual  issue in lack of the water project that could have been established in nearby rivers i.e. Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi. Physical infrastructure counts small when it comes to lives of people' their emotion and expectation for a good future  now seems to be just a bad dream for them. Among all groups, if anyone has grievances for their involvement in conflict then it’s the youths of the village who were disqualified for their inclusion stating ineligibility factors. Throughout my  stay  getting a glimpse of youths between 18-30 was a rare issue because almost all of them are now draining  their sweat either in the sand of the Middle East or in India for wages that merely sustain  their family. Their utopian dream  seems to have vanished along with the peace accord signed by the Maoists-Seven Political Parties. People tag themselves as a puppet of the political game which led them nowhere, instead ruined their future beyond those  10 long years which  could have made a difference in their lives. All credit to the enthusiasm of youths that their hard work in the foreign land has provided nation with remittance which will heal  the wound of mayhem, may not be soon but someday for sure.

When a single village has so much of grievances over  the conflict and its outcome we can make assumptions about   people all over the rural parts who have a lot  to say to us about their experiences. People of the nation, specially youths - unemployed, illiterate and trapped in absolute poverty are always a weapon for radical ideologists and revolutionaries to fulfill their agendas benefitting their own political circle. Today it’s a high time to realize how armed insurgency was never a solution to the problems of Nepal. The under privileged and downtrodden groups away from the outreach of government need to be bought to the development mainstream because it is pervasive that conflict thrives  where poverty strikes. People of rural Nepal certainly would have been in a comparatively good situation if not better had there been no bloodshed making Nepal a laboratory to test the outdated concept of a utopia .

I miss you, so what ?

It’s been four long years though I still feel her vibes somewhere inside me. I know things have changed dramatically but my feelings for her are stagnant. Nothing like I didn’t try to move on regarding her. I tried couple of times but every time I tried her memories went on captivating me within. Thing is I miss her even after seeing her holding someone hand. I still smile looking at your snaps, close my eyes and make a throwback to the times we were together holding each other’s hand down the road. It makes me more and more nostalgic but there's nothing more left between us except our memories and my feelings for you. Yes, I still miss your hands, your company and the ultimate you !! 

                             
                                     " if god is all you have, you have all you need "

Nepalese Economy post embargo

Nepalese economy had expected a growth rate of 4.6 percent pre earthquake, the disaster mercilessly stuck Nepal on April 2015 causing an estimated loss of $371 Million. After the tragic incident, Nepal Rastra Bank targeted a growth rate of 3 percent just in case if the economic environment goes as expected. This time again, the negligence of government to hear the grievances of Terai led a fierce protest against draft of the new constitution resulting strikes for more than 4 months. On the other side, the tension resulted as unofficial economic embargo by the southern neighborhood causing cut off of the supplies- from gasoline products to raw materials for industries. The custom check points are almost paralyzed with no any significant collection of revenue and industries are shut down lacking raw materials for production. The recent four monthly economic survey 2073/73 reports the economic growth to be stagnant at 2 percent despite the expectation of 6 percent.

The situation is not so favorable for agriculture as well. Ministry of Agriculture reports the rice yield is likely to decline by 10 percent and buck wheat by 2 percent in comparison to that of previous fiscal year. However, production of Maize is expected to incline by 4 percent. If the embargo remains then production of wheat will ultimately fall down as there will be not enough chemical fertilizers and seeds for cultivation. Expectation of agricultural growth rate of more than 1 percent would be irrational in context to the current scenario.

Inflation

The year-to-year Consumer Price inflation reached to 10.4 percent at the end of Mid November 2015 which is 3.2 percent higher if compared to that the last year whereas the rate of inflation is 5.4 percent in India. The cut off of basic supplies has led to unhealthy growth of inflation as 11.4 percent in Kathmandu, 9.6 percent on Himalayan region, 9.1 at Terai region. Preceding year, the inflation growth rate at Kathmandu was 7.1 percent and 7.2 percent on both Terai and Himalayan region. The black marketing of the basic supplies has ultimately resulted in unsound and unethical rise in price of goods. Earthquake, Strikes on Terai and economic embargo are the main reasons for such increase in inflation rate.

External Sector

Foreign Trade

The merchandised export on Nepal decreased significantly by 29.1 percent to Rs.20.96 Billion in the first four months of 2015/16 compared to a decline of 0.2 to Rs. 29.55 Billion in the previous year. Such a fall in merchandised trade was resulted due to significant decline in trade with India, China and other nation 38.7, 67.9 and 7.8 percent respectively.

Similarly, the import rate too declined by 36.8 percent to Rs.160.99 Billion. Such imports had gone up by 22.4 percent to Rs.254.66 Billion. Blockade in supply of petroleum goods is one of the major factor such decrease in rate of import.

Transfer

The gross transfer receipt increased by23.2 percent to Rs.249.58 billion and gross transfer payment increased by 16.6 percent to Rs.835.9 percent. However the net total receipt increased by 23.2 percent to Rs.248.74 billion. Net transfer receipt had decline by 3 percent in the previous fiscal year 2014/15.

BOP Situation

The BOP surplus of Nepal amounts to Rs. 83.33 billion during the period of review period compared to that of Rs. 6.18 billion in the same period of previous year.

Foreign Reserve

The gross foreign reserve increased by 12.5 percent to Rs.926.79 billion at Mid-November 2015 from Rs.823.87 billion of Mid-July 2015. The foreign reserve had increased by only 2.4 percent in the previous year.

Money Supply

The broad money supply(M2) increased by 6.8 percent in the first four months of 2015/16 compared to an increase of 2.8 percent in the corresponding period of previous year. Narrow money supply (M1) which had decreased by 0.5 percent in the corresponding period of previous year increased by 14.9 percent in the review period.

Liquidity Management

Nepal Rastra Bank mopped up a total amount of Rs.242.65 billion through various instruments of liquidity management. These consisted of Rs.157.25 billion from deposit auction, Rs.76.30 billion from Reverse Repo and Rs. 9.10 billion from outright sales.

Similarly NRB injected net liquidity of Rs.154.28 billion through the purchase of USD worth Rs.1.48 billion from foreign exchange market. The NRB also purchased Indian Currency (IC) worth Rs.79.19 billion through the sale of USD 760 million till the review period.

Financial Broadening

Expansion of branch networks of Bank and Financial institution has widened to access the finance and for monetization of economy. The number of branches of BFI’s have reached to 3968 from 3617 of the previous year. The growth in the deposit and loan accounts has also contributed to broaden the financial access of the people.

                                             source: nrb.org.np