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September 3, 2006 |
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Development Nepal |
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Development and Stability |
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Editorial |
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Filling the Gaps –Challenges of the New Era Nepal
Between May and August this year, we at Development Nepal had the opportunity to observe closely the historic changes occurring in the post-jana andolan Nepal. Amod was conducting his research on indoor air pollution’s effect on Tuberculosis, Cataracts and Childhood Pneumonia in Pokhara and in Bhaktapur; Sumit visited development organizations in Kathmandu exploring opportunities for development researches, and Shyam (I) was working on his (my) research on effects of rural accessibility on development outcomes in Syangja, Dhading and Kathmandu. Our visits revealed quite an optimistic scenario for the “new” Nepal in the making. Despite huge political and socio-economic differences, people all over the country were—for the first time in a decade—hopeful about restoration of lasting “peace” and an “environment free of fear” to do what they wish to for a living in their own land. We noted very high level of political consciousness among Nepalese youth.
For development practitioners and researchers, this optimism marks a new era for Nepal’s development, and a new challenge.
Amongst this optimism, we however noted some serious gaps between people’s information level, awareness level and the actual practice that exists. Nepalese today are well informed about politics and there is sufficient debate regarding social inclusion/exclusion as well. This is a good sign for the country, and has helped to elevate the political and social awareness level of the people. Yet there are distinct gaps. First, there is a gap between just being informed and processing that information to be aware about issues. As an example, for long people have been informed—through development workers, through radio programs and through government and Maoist cadres—that one should not discriminate based on caste or gender. Yet such information has not translated to real awareness about the issue. Second, amongst those who have become aware, there is a huge step they need to take to practicing the awareness in their own lives; and finally there is the gap between people’s heightened socio-political awareness and economic opportunities that can give them means for a decent living. Still for most Nepalese—irrespective of their caste/ethnicity or locations—a decent living means the opportunity to get dui chhak (two meals) to eat, and the ability to access basic needs.
The political tussle between the Maoists, Middle-grounders and Monarchists is bound to settle politically. This sounds a rather simplistic statement but in making this statement we applaud, and are hopeful the progress made in just less than twenty weeks by our leaders in unwinding the 11 year old insurgency. Sooner or later our leaders will settle—and we will have new faces in Singh Durbar, and the mini-Singh Durbars in the new state capitals.
However, we can also state with confidence—our leaders in Kathmandu or the state capitals—will have to confront the gaps that we have identified. Irrespective of our horizontal differences—represented by whether we are city folks or rural, whether we are from the Tarai or the Hills or from the East or the West—and our vertical differences embedded in our castes, our ethnicities, the languages we speak and the religions we follow—we will need to work to reduce the gaps that we have noted above.
At Development Nepal, we hope to contribute in our own small way—to help our leaders, planners and policy makers to reduce these gaps—through informed research and practice. We are getting 500 new readers to our site every month, and we are encouraged by the contributions we are receiving from our readers. Our special thanks go to Yubraj Acharya who has helped us compile and edit several Nepal focused researches.
We wish you all a happy reading, and request for contributions,
With best wishes wishes |
