Considering the best interest of the entire Nepalese people and realizing the need of the constructive intervention in current Nepalese political system through debates of development, Himalayan Development Affairs Council initiated a great initiative for the youths’ intensive participation in discourses of the development process. The program was organized on 4th January 2021, 5:00 pmvia zoom participation. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atindra Dahal moderated the program. Assoc. Prof. Prem Chandra Rai as the program chair formally chaired the session. The program was organized upon the following agendas:
- Introduction to Himalayan BRI and Development Affairs Council, (mostly to be said Development Affairs Council, in short).
- Formation of the formal committee.
- Commitment of the member and committee as a whole.
- Plan of Action on upcoming programs.
Introduction to the program
A brief introduction to program was assessed and delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atindra Dahal, Kathmandu School of Law. Development and democracy have to be reconciled in such a way to protect the real spirit of democracy. Real strength of a state is economic development, which is practised and proved theory in the world politics. However, in context of Nepal, hope of people towards politics is pessimistic. Himalayan BRI and Development Affairs Council is an intellectual discourse platform forpropounding social development theories. It is a forum to make an intellectual dialogue concerning development and change in Nepal. Development debate is to be turned to new dimension by an intellectual debate and discourse; the same assimilation has triggered to institute this kind of program and the forum of discussion.
Accessing the need of Organization and Future Plans
Prof. Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula stated that Himalayan BRI and Development Affairs Council previously conducted an extensive program on role of neighbouring countries in Economic development of Nepal. There was an active and meaningful participation of the concerned politicians and analysts too. Nepal Government lacks the concrete policies concerning agriculture and agro-biodiversity. Nepal falls behind in development because of the following arch reasons:
- Grant for farmers and agriculture has been commercialized by the mediators for an individual benefit,
- Nepal has shifted from agriculture products exporting country to importing country with big downfall in agriculture development,
- Total 2 billion dollar worth food products are being imported from foreign nations,
- Amongst 12, 7 billion dollar is loss to Nepal annually,
- Nepal Government invests total 25 thousand per student annually. Last year, 65 thousand students went abroad for study purpose causing loss of 13 billion rupees over to the remittance earned money.
- Each year, about 4 lakh students join university. Amongst them 20% financially strong students hold 80% educational benefit. Annually, 17 Arab is invested on higher education. However, it yields bare employment opportunity in Nepal.
- According to PU research centre in 2016, 3 Kharab 22 Arab amount is remitted to India from Nepal.
- About 52% of total land in Nepal holds forest. However, Nepal Government spends about 22 Arab to import furniture from foreign countries.
- Administrative cost is overtly and unproductively excess to the development cost.
Thus, modernization of agriculture is must in Nepal. Politics from 2007 until now is not development oriented. Thus, development has to be prioritized with modernization in agriculture and result oriented education system via intellectual debate and discourse. Himalayan BRI has to be a fundamental think-tank in the state for this noble passion and mission. Prof. Sangroula mentioned, Udayapur, Kathmandu, Dang and Surkhet valleys have to be established as the focal connection points of the development. Furthermore, he added, discussion has to be diverted to increase productivity and development instead of conspiracy politics. A bold intervention from youth and intellectual is required for the change in sector of development.
He strongly mentioned westernization of indigenous culture has to be demoted along with promoting the real values and tradition of culture in Nepal.
Future plans and strategy
- Membership form to forward
- Plan of action to be made
- Seminar on: how can China and India help for development of Nepal?
- Extensive discussion on development model of Nepal.
- Extensive dialogue in collaboration with Hunan University, China on reason behind Economic development of China and possible lessons to learn.
- Gurkha movement and BRI development movement will go together in parallel.
- Western region, mainly Karnali province, to be planned as a focal point to increase productivity and investment promotion.
- Initiative for the university establishment for former Ghurkha’s children either in Dhading, Sindhupalchok or Udayapur.
- District committee shall be formed to function smoothly as per convenience.
More to be decided ahead…