Cross Border Terrorism Increasing - But Shall we close Indo-Nepal Border?

I don't see Terrorism as any big problem to force us to be closed doors. And most of it is not targeted against each other. There are hardly any elements in Nepal who want to terrorize India and vice versa. The threat is about third country terrorists entering the duo, from Bangladesh or Pakistan. This calls for better understanding and co-operation between Indian and Nepali authorities. And certainly Visa implementation is not the solution.

Open borders have many economic gains. India is one of the world's largest market and it has the potential of being world's second largest market very soon. The spending culture of India is a great opportunity for us. It is best served when there is more people to people contact.

Consider the case of launch of Wai Wai in India by CG Foods in India. It got a huge success, thanks to huge brand ambassadors, all Nepali Living in India or visiting India.

(European Union - Changes in Real Wages and Productivity. This clearly shows open border and greater co-operation increases productivity keeping real wages low. Good opportunity for companies to tap and grow.)

Not to forget is a close cultural and social linkages. This social linkages has benefited both sides for time immemorial. We are possibly the only two Hindu dominated society in the world and that has opened huge cultural tourism opportunity for both sides. And Indian tourists are the most spending tourist in the world, they have surpassed Americans recently. That calls for better hospitality towards the Indians to uplift our National Economy.

Co-operation between India is increasing and we can only benefit from it. Both are now economic powers hungry to rule the economic world and both will hardly try to contain Nepal in anyway. They are co-operating in Global Leadership and same time fighting for leadership in Asia. We have to learn to live and grow with them.

I would favor no visa but id card system between Nepal and China too. That will open more opportunity for us. Not to forget is our poor performing manufacturing economy and a small market. Now I don't see any possibility of Nepal being a manufacturing hub in any future course as we can never produce cheaper than our giant neighbors. And there is no necessity too. We have huge potential to remain a market economy with service focus. For this open border with India is a huge plus, which is still not exploited by us. Let us not go back but move further and tap the opportunity.

I have said whatever I had to. What's you take? Please do not forget to share as comment.

India - Favourite Work Destination for Nepalese Engineers

A Poll on a Orkut Community - "Nepalese Engineers" have shown a changing trend among its members for favourite place to work. Let us look at the Poll Result (24 Responders).

Favourite Place to work for
1. India (45%)
2. Nepal (25%)
3. US (8%)
3. Asia Pacific, Asean (8%)
4. Europe (4%)
4. Japan (4%)
4. Middle East Asia (4%)
5. China (0%)
5. Others (0%)

US, UK and Australlia have remained favourite destinations are Nepalese Engineers for long time. But this poll has brought a unexpected result. There might be many biases with the poll like most of the community members to have studied in India. But even for most Nepali students doing Engineering in India, main aim had always been giving GRE and moving to US for MS. Then after MS most settled in US with a technical job.

A more important side of the poll result is the disinterest among the Engineers to work in China. While China is shaping the world with its economic growth for last three decades, it is yet to emerge as favourable work place.

As always, I welcome comment on the post. Cheers!!

10 Reasons to Vote for Maoist in CA Elections

1. Maoist have done what several parties have tried for so long but have always comprimised for the leaders personal gains. I am talking about throwing Monarchy. Nepal never had democracy neither in 2007 or 2046. Now, we are atleast moving towards the right direction.

2. Social Equality is another concern. Many dalits and janjatis were treated low, and I have seen them with my eyes. Maoist have taught them to stand for their right.

3. Maoist is the first party in Nepal who has brought economic discussion in the political table. Baburam and others have been constantly trying to bring it to main agenda of governance. (Nepali Congress and CPN UML have always played a political role causing failure).

4. Corruption has decreased with the Maoist coming up. I have seen this in many areas. May be you guys have felt too.One of my experience is talking huge amount of money for giving admission in special courses like Environment, Computer Science etc in TU colleges by Student Union. This was prevalent earlier. But now it has almost come to an end.

5. Ingenuine Business is another common concept in Nepal. Many businessman run many different backside business in Nepal. They earn a lot and also from the front end business, many business man dont show profit evading taxes. This culture is attacked by YCL and it is a genuine cause.

6. It is the Iron that cut Iron. So when all national and international forces attack maoist, it is not fair to call them not to counter attack. They are aggressive and that is what I love about them. No war has ever been won by Defence. And NC and UML have always been defensive; sometime because of Royalists and now of Maoists.

7. Regional Settlement views. I must say, Maoist have done quite appreciable work by coming up with Regional Segmentation which no other party could dare to.

8. Only party equidistant between India and China. We need this for the continued and suatainable progress.

9. I see only two leaders in Nepal, one G. P. Koirala and another Puspa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda). It can be well noted in the polutical discussions lately.

10. May be bad, but they are the most good. This is very important point. We have several parties on board but they are much worse than what Maoist are. And it is a proved point. No other political parties could stand for national cause and for progressive agenda, then why not give a chance for Maoist too. May be they will pass the test!!

I have poured my views. Now, its with you to give your views as comment. I will love to see your agreement or disagreement with my views.

Revenue Sharing Policy of Federal Nepal- Part I

By Chamatkaribaba

Nepal has since long plunged into a state of anarchy because of the failures of democratic institutions. These failures were because of mainly two reasons:

1) Because political leaders invested little time to save democratic institutions and;

2) There were targeted actions from autocratic and regressive forces, more particularly to blame is King and his coterie.

The second cause was lately realised by these political leaders and by that time, already, state of state was statelessness.
A lot of things happened after that mainly, People's Uprising in 2006, April and have put Democratic institutions back on track, if not democratic virtues. There are a lot of things those have to be done. The debate on political aspects of democracy; and state has received a lot of ink from various people from different walk of life. But, it seems that economic aspect of functioning of state has been completely shadowed.

This blog tries to provide a glimpse of what should happen on the economic aspects of New Nepal.
The recent news buzz is all about Federal State of Nepal. A lot of gangs and groups are fighting for that. People who belong to Terai Region, people from Janajatis, Dalits, Adivashis, Limbuwan people, Khumbuwan and people from Chure Bhawar area are fighting for federal democracy.
All seem to be agreeing on the need of federal state except its modalities how to form it. Some are voicing for Fully Proportional Election system and some are against it. Most of the Nepal's political debate is revolving around Constituent Assembly Election, its success.
Very few are debating on the issues of Fiscal Policy once Nepal becomes Federal State. This is very important for the sustenance of democracy, for the sustenance of state, for the sustenance of each federal province/county (by whatever name it is called) and for their progress.
This issue assumes significance because of Nepal's Geographical Location. All parts in Nepal do not earn same amount of revenue. The Terai, plain Region is more accessible by Roads and Transports. It is easier to do any kind of national and international business from that region. The Terai Region shares its boundary with India, with which Nepal has a maximum third country business. The goods made in Nepal are exported through Terai Region and goods imported in Nepal mostly come from this Terai Region.

Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Janakpur, Siraha, Bhairahawa, Butawal, and Mahendranagar are some of the towns in Nepal which has good Road Transport system with Indian Boarder Cities.

The Cereal, Paddy, Wheat, Oil and Gases, Salt, Clothes, Heavy Machinery, Transport related Gadgets, Clothes, and other stable food grains are mostly imported through this route and a little like Vanaspati Ghee, Noodles, Copper Wire are exported to India and via India to Bangladesh, Bhutan etc.
Because of these enormous economic activities, a lot of revenue will be collected in this region which substantially helps in development of the country.

Nepal's other parts are Himalayan Region and Hilly areas. They lack good Roads and Transport Systems. Very little economic Activity happens there. Some Hydroelectric Power plant located here and there, local textiles, local papers, and some food stuffs like Alainchi, Amriso are the major products of this area. Even those goods produced here are either marketed in Terai Region like in Nepalgunj, Birgunj, and Birtamod or through Terai Region; these products are sent to outside the country. So, because of lack of systematic markets in hilly and Mountainous areas, all trading activities happen in Terai and most of the revenues from these goods are received by Terai Region.

The Himalayan Region shares Border with China in Northern part but very little activity happens there because of lack of any good Transport Systems except in Tatopani Customs Office.
In this Scenario, we need to think what happens when Nepal is divided into a Federal State? How Economic Resources are collected and how they are distributed?
Who, either Center or Provincial Government, will have power, by Constitution, to collect and distribute such revenue and by what proportion?

This is a question that needs to be meticulously analysed and answers have to be found out. We need such answers that do not bring unequal distribution of wealth among regions. We emphasise that distribution of revenue should be made in such a way that does not hamper regional progress.

This author is trying to search some of the best possible answers in coming days, analysing the issues from Constitutional, Economical, and from Fiscal Policy view point.

Be with us!

(Reach to the author at Chamatkaribaba)

We Need Companies to Come not Donors

India was turned by the mass recruiters and trainers like Infosys, Wipro, TCS, IBM, Satyam and the likes. They pushed India from a third world developing country to become the second important IT Vendor and best outsourcing destination in the world.



Nepal have to declare few areas as SEZ and give tax breaks to attract them and Nepal desperately need companies like them. Entry of one or two of them can change entire Nepal. If someone in the government is hearing I would like them to be proactive and call companies to invest in Nepal. I would like to invite these revolutionary companies to invest in Nepal ....




ICICI Bank

Bharti Airtel

Infosys

Wipro

TCS

IBM

Accenture


Our economy is survived by remittances and aids for long. Now, the time has come when we turn ourselves to business than asking for donation. We need to make coming generation optimistic of their future and the country. They will need to see some development happening in Nepal. Development in the form of investment and business.

The picture is of the Infosys's Mysore Campus. I want to see one in Nepal. Is there any possibility of having it? (question to our ministers and planners, and not to Infosys head)

Nepal as an Off-Sourcing Destination

Many aggressive companies are staying away form Nepal, thanks to poor security situation. The power majors are considering of huge investment in Hydropower sector to export power to the power hungry states of India and China, and this is a good news for Nepal. A country with very high hydro-power potential has one of the costliest energy, which simply is not acceptable. Nepal need to reform the energy sector and prepare the base for development.


While the companies like Samsung, Kodak, LG, Kia etc have entered Nepal, their performance has not been very good in the past. The things are likely to change when Maoist are in the government. Many more companies are likely to follow the investment in this Himalayan country provided the early movers succeed. There are multiple reasons why companies would like to invest in Nepal:


1. Favorable Location:
Nepal is a country bewteen India and China, two fastest growing econonies globally.


2. Power Sufficiency:
Nepal is power rich (hydropower potential is more than enough for any future growth in economy).


3. Pleasent Climate:
Nepal has one of the best climate on the world. The valley cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Surkhet and Dang are the front runners for this. Eastern city Dharan and western city Butwal are other places with comfortably moderate climate in the likes of Indian Silicon Valley, Bangalore.


4. Untapped Qualified Manpower:
Nepal has very high unemployed and poorly employed qualified manpower. In terms of salary, the best man power can be got with almost half the amount in India and China. Nepal produces around 10 thousand qualified Engineers and other IT Graduates annually, and due to the lack of opportunity in Nepal most candidates make their way to US, UK, India and Australlia. These candidates can be tapped by the early movers.


5. Extravagant Public:
Nepal is a economy run by remittances. Nepal has poor government (comes in LDC) but the people doesnot seem to be poor. From Pajero to Mercedes, all vehicles are quite common in Nepalese roads. The public of Nepal are so fun loving and extravagent that it has one of the best developed liquor industry.


6. Easy Capital:
Almost all the IPOs have been oversubscribed in Nepal by more than 100 times for last 5 years. It itself justifies the ready cash for the companies looking for expansion. Also, the corporate loan is available at the annual interest rate of 4-5 percent while it cost more than 10 in India. The banks in Nepal are facing excess liquidity while their Indian counterparts are struggling for getting each extra cash as deposit.


7. Hospitable Public:
Nepalese people are regarded as the most hospitable public globally. Due to the emergence as a tourist destination for many decades, the people are Nepal welcome everyone who enter their homeland. They give more love than they charge for the service, the tourist say so. May be you can test it yourself, if you get some leisure before planning next investment project.


8. Everything to enjoy:
Rafting in rivers, boating in lakes, mountaineering in the Himalayas, visiting Buddha's birth place Lumbini or Sita's birth palce Janakpur, having a Helicopter sight-seeing of the Mount Everest, tracking to the Jungles in the National Parks etc., all these are available in Nepal and all these with in a few hundred kilometers. Nepal can just be the home for Nature Lovers to Religion and Culture Scholars.


9. Cheap and Quality High Class Hotels:

Hotels are pretty cheap in Nepal and they have all the facilities that anyone in the World has. From Casino to quality Pubs, from well facilitated rooms to good view, smimming pools to the Billiard boards etc. everything is available in much cheaper rates, thanks to low maintenance cost. The Hotel insiders say they don't have to spend on Air Conditioning (its naturally cool). The occupancy rate is low in Nepal (due to earlier political tension) and the competition is intense, which has too contributed to lower cost.

10. Lower Interest Rate and Flexible Capital Flight Norms:

Nepal has lower tax than China or India, and Nepal government has declared to make the capital flight easier for both National and International companies. This is in discussion in the council of ministry and it is likely to pass soon.

All these calls for the companies to go and invest in Nepal. If they miss, I can only be sorry later.

Black Sheep of Nepali Politics

I was surprised to see recent comment from Rajendra Mahato, leader of Nepal Sadhbhawana Party (Anandidevi) and Minister of Industry and Commerce. In his own words :

'people of hill may live in Madhes only if they agree to be ruled by Madhesis.'

This is one of the most irresponsible comment I had seen so far. And I know the source where it came from. His party is simply losing grounds to MPRF, MJF and JTTM, and his political career is at stake. This type of comment is not expected from a Minister and a responsible leader. The motive of giving such comment can be nothing more than inviting confrontation between the Nepali communities.

Mr. Mahato was once a powerful leader of NSP, a prominent party with good public support in the Terai region. Now, no one talks about NSP. And still, there are two NSPs. So, they are facing identity crises now. Thanks to their actions in the last 12 years of democracy. None of the Terai issues were put up strongly by NSP, they simply did only the opportunistic politics. In actual, they never believed in power of mass of the Madhesias in Terai and the recent movement surprised them like the Jana-andolan II surprised the whole 7 parties.

More to this, while being a leader he may represent a party but when he is a minister he should take the responsibility of all Nepalis. So neither his sentiment of ruling or being ruled is justified nor driving away Pahades from Terai. I would give him a title for his comments, the Black Sheep of Nepali Politics.

Regarding his statement, this is all I have to say. There is no question of ruling and being ruled. We are no longer in a monarchy or any other autocracy. We are a democratic country and in any future course, we will be having functional democracy either federal or not. The government will be formed by election under that democratic setup and it will be government of the Nepali People, not Madesias and not Pahades. CA will decide either we get republic or liberal monarchy. Active Monarchy will not be accepted in any way and republic is the general public demand, but if anyone choses to fight the election with liberal monarch system, we can give him a chance. But in any case, the decision of Nepali People will be final.

The federalism has gone once and for ever. We will decide the type of governance, we will form the government and it should function in our mandate. Any thought will be welcome, but not to run government by intuition and get favor by nomination; but to express in a coordinated manner and to ask for public mandate on it.

I want to attract the attention of our leaders. You guys are not the rulers, instead our leaders. We follow you, respect you and pay you, and give you the authoritative power in the government to take our country forward, not to rule us. Do not try to fool us or rule us. If we can take you to Singha Durbar, we can bring you to street also.

I seriously comdemn his comment and put forward my demand of sacking him from the ministership. We want a collective government and a progressive government, not a irresponsible and opportunistic government. This government seems to be of the people who held no public support, and they are there just because they once had. We need to move forward to Constitution Assembly election as early as possible and give the authority to the new powers.

I sense big conspiracy being played to delay CA elections by the 7 parties. They know their fate very well. Nepali Congress is the sole party representing Democrats and all know that. So it has its life but no way it can be the major force atleast in the coming election. The clear majority will go to Maoist, and MJF and JTMM may establish themselves as regional political force (I don't say communal). We can have better demographics representation, but communal will be dangerous. Hope MJF and JTMM finds a good way to settle down and be able to solve the genuine demands from the Terai grassroot, while controlling the wrong doing activities being done in their name.

Nepali politics is in real crossroad now and we all Nepali must be aware of any game played to disturb the society by the losing forces. It is the responsibility of all of us to make sure that the transition goes well.

Lastly, I like to remind all Nepalis that Nepal has always been a hospitable place. Nepal has record of being only non-secular country in the world respecting all religions and only country in South Asia with no ethnic or communal clashes. Lets keep this always. Lets not get agitated with comments from irresponsible people like Minister Mahato (Hope he reverts back and does responsible politics).

We need Peace to develop and for that we need unity. Our unity has always been our strength and we have the honour of being the only country never ruled by external forces. Thanks to our bravery and unity. Let us not let our ego kill our pride. Our Nepal our Pride. Long Live Unity.

Burning Madesh and Quiet Pahadis

I just came across a blog "Democracy For Nepal" by Paramendra Bhagat. Mr. Bhagat seems to be very deep into Nepali politics and he has written really good articles.

Among them I got my attention to this article.

Why Are The Pahadis Quiet?

Well, I was quiet while Tarai was burning. There was a genuine struggle going on, there were criminal activities going on under its cover and there was State acting harsh on the revolutionaries. I never thought of contributing anything to this struggle. But I had never asked myself, WHY?

Now, I had that question in my mind for last one hour. The reason was I did not want any more political struggle in Nepal. I just want to take rest. I don't care whoever be in power. I just want to give sometime for the freshly emerged political circle the 8 parties (Maoist and 7 Democratic parties). The political parties plus maoist have better representative equality in terms of social or demographic communities than any previous powers. It shows that the change is happening and Nepal is moving forward. We just need to work sincerely from our side and give enough time for the parties to work.

Many of my friends from Madesh may not agree with me. They may still say that the social issues need to be sorted out. That is a fair claim. But it is also not the end of the political struggle path. We have many such issues. Nepal is very much diverse in terms of language and culture, if we go forward with Federal setup we will have at least 50 states; and if we go with reservations then even with the full seats on quotas, someone will not be getting his share.

The real problem is the lack of sufficient seats in basic and higher education, and in job. We have less scholarship or regular engineering and medical seats than most Indian states (may be all). We have a economy almost stagnant for the last 10 years. Before that also we were almost always in war for 50 years. Frankly speaking, we have nothing to share or distribute.

So, I appeal to all the Nepalis of all caste and creed, to please refrain from any further political struggle. Let us give sometime to this newly emerged forces. Let us work and create a better Nepal with a economic revolution. Let us give Political Revolution once and for ever.

Long Live Our Unity. Jai Nepal.

Burning Madesh

I think, we are getting wrong from the very basic. I dont agree the Madhesias being discriminated. It is the normal nepali being discriminated in Nepal. It is all due to feudalism that existed for years.

Nepal was a good place for the Ranas, Shahs, Pandays and Thapas, who had their representation in the government till Rana rule existed. After that Koiralas came and so do Adhikaris etc.. by virtue they all belong to Pahade Brahmin and Chettriyas. (Not everybody in these castes also benefitted)

I have never received any special treatment from our government or the non-government bodies, may be because I did not have strong jack in the power posts. So do many of my Pahade Brahnmin friends. We struggled our course and whatever we are today, it is just because of our hard work.

I seriously feel, Nepali politicians to be very intelligent people. They find one or the other ways to inflate people and have one or more revolution in every ten years. But these people are neither serious of the actual problem nor they get fully successful. Neither was Rana rule completely wiped out in 2007, nor was democracy fully established in 2046. Even now I fear whether we will be able to establish a Democratic Republic Nepal. This is a dream, a distant dream.

When someone talk about being humilated by people calling them Madhesi, I remember myself being irritated when someone call Khatha. Rais and Limbus are often called Chepte. Gurung are called Bhede and Newars are called Pate. It is actually not about these words. The reality is we have been left behind economically. We are poor. It is a reality, we all must realise this. We all Nepalis are poor, we have hardly any identity in the world other than being from the himalayan country or from place of Gautam Buddha. We have done nothing in the last 100 years and we take our frustrations to the street in various names, sometime democratic struggle, sometime Republic struggle, sometime social equality struggle and sometime anti-struggle movement.

Shame to all of us Nepalis. Hope things change in future.

Jai Nepal

Some Business Opportunities in Nepal

1. Tea export to Pakistan

Pakistan, one of our closest neighbors is second largest importer of tea (after US) and there is no active tea trade between India and Pakistan. Currently Pakistan imports Tea from China and Kenya. There leaves a room for Nepal to export Tea to Pakistan.

2. Export of Nepali Forest Product to India, China and rest of the world

Bhutan has made good progress in exporting forest products like paper and furniture to two of our giant neighbors. Nepal with huge forest and varied vegetation can tap this opportunity.

3. Back-office Pharmaceutical Production

Indian Pharmaceutical companies are doing too well in the Global Pharmaceutical Market especially in generic segment. There are very few reasons why Nepali companies cannot tap that market. Also, many global giants are focusing more on brand management and marketing outsourcing the production. Nepal, a country between India and China is an ideal production base for multinational targeting these two countries.

4. Business Process Outsourcing from US, EU, ASEAN, India

India is now the most preferred outsourcing destination for most MNCs, but the market is maturing due to the shortage of qualified manpower and high salary rise. This brings Nepal into the outsourcing picture in supplementing India.

5. Travel and Tourism

A country with varied vegetation having as much as 8 National Parks, 6 Forest Reserves, 2 Conservation Area and 1 hunting area is clearly one of the best green tourism destination in the world. To add to it, there are many holy hindu and Buddhist sites like Pashupati Nath, Janaki Temple, Swayambhu, Lumbini etc. Not to forget is Himalayas with Mount Everest.

6. Hotel and Hospitality, and Real Estate

The tourism potential explains the importance and potential of hotel and hospitality, and real estate sector of Nepal. Nepal is sure to become a good economy in the years ahead as a fine tourism destination and a market place with the likes of Mauritius, Switzerland, and Singapore.

7. Financial Institution (IB, Venture Capital, Mutual funds etc)

Retail Banking has survived very hard times in Nepal. Even when many companies were dying, these banks stood strong with the constant liquid flow into the economy in the form of remittances. Now, the market is poised to grow to other types of FIs like Investment Banking, Venture Capital, and Mutual fund.

8. Infrastructure (Power and Transportation)

Nepal has second largest potential for Hydropower after Brazil and both of the neighbors (India and China) are hungry for energy. So, there are the resources and there is the market. It is just about tapping it at the earliest and benefiting that is in waiting.

Also, Nepal has very weak transportation system. It will need private investment in both traditional ways like Road, Railway and Airport, as well as non-traditional ways like Rope ways. Nepal can be one of the biggest market for Rope Way Companies.

9. Apple export

Nepal produces on of the best quality Apple (in Humla and Jumla). They are searching market for centuries and now is the time when world should get chance to taste those sweet apples.

10. Healthcare

Sri Lanka has done much in the field of Ayurveda and now Kerala is following it. Nepal has the cold climate and the herbs. It is the market awaiting investment. Also, there is huge opportunity in other forms of Healthcare services Nepal can provide to the world in far more competitive price than Philippines or India.

Vision Developed Nepal 2025

Well, you may be laughing reading this topic, which is seen impossibility looking at the present context. You may call me over optimistic but i still argue that the vision is achievable. If a political solution for the Maoist problem is worked out then this goal will be a reality not a dream. Now, let’s analyze how far we are really from the framework.

Firstly, i would like to make all Nepalese aware of our present economy. At the stage when all South Asian countries are enjoying a very high economic growth rate, we are engaged in a pre-twentieth century war of regime change. When all other South Asian countries and China are recommended as the best investment areas in the world, foreigners fear visiting Nepal due to security threats. China enjoys economic growth rate of about 9%, India 7%, Pakistan 7%, Bhutan 8%, we are staggering at 3-4%. This growth, i hope is not by the increment of our indigenous economy but rather it is the reflection of Indian growth in our soil due to highly integrated economy. For the last five years a substantial budget has been wasted for defense purpose which has no future in itself.

Nepal being a country between two giants, China and India, is one of the most secured countries of the world. One's aggression towards Nepal will definitely endanger the other, so we have both the snake and the stick automated. In this context, we should also be aware that aggression of any of the two neighbors cannot be defended even we have our full potential exploited. so, its the waste of our resources to keep huge army. It is always better to tackle the internal threats by home security forces like Nepal Police and the Armed Police. Increase in the strength of Armed Police and decrease in strength of RNA will even give good global message about peace initiative. This will ensure more help for reconstruction and also private investment will grow along with it. Nepal, a economy of less than 10 billion $ enjoys about 1 lakh army while Brazil, a economy of above 700 billion $ have just 65,000 army. This statistics shows a real threat of Nepal moving towards a failed state with economic dis rupture. Taking in mind the outcome of military involvement in Sri Lankan LTTE crises, Indian J & K and Manipur crises, it would be tactful to search for a peaceful referendum with all the possible negotiations.

It is equally important that Maoist must be well aware that in the name of revolution whatever economic setback they are enforcing to weaken the govt, they are weakening themselves. WE Nepalese are powerful only when Nepal is developed. It should be noted by all politicians of all parties that they will have a good life being a citizen of developed Nepal, then being a ruler of failed Nepal.

Corruption, the definition of this word changes with the figure doing it. No one sees black money in his home while other's money is seen with suspect. A bureaucrat or a politician often enjoys sending their relatives in foreign scholarship seats. While sending his son/relative in place of some one more capable candidate, the official never know that he is destroying the future of his grand children and their relatives. He is actually throwing Nepal's future while he throws a able candidate. The able candidate could be the like of Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, JRD Tata or Sameer Bhatia. This is a serious concern and it has to be investigated by the Investigation authorities; but I am sure they can not do it as they are themselves part of this corrupt culture. It is even more difficult to act in this area as the main players are Indian and Pakistan Embassy. I thank our neighbors for exporting corrupt culture to Nepal without any bureaucratic hurdles.

The culture of favoritism has made every Nepalese a victim. The good professionals are left out in favor of near and dear ones. This has sickened almost all government, public and private enterprises. Hardly anybody work to his best due to the lack of challenges and fair reward.

I never understand why a majority of Nepalis are having anti-Indian sentiments. India is one of the best possible neighbors any country can have. We can see the fate of Haiti (close to US) or Taiwan (close to China). They are struggling to save their sovereignty, while India has always respected ours. Also, Indians are the best possible people in the world in terms of Human Values. Ask anybody working under Indian boss, he will tell you that.

To develop Nepal, it is essential to integrate the economy further with India while expanding trade with China. Nepal can be the best Investment destination for both the Indian and Chinese to enter each other's market. Apart from peace, we have everything, from large number of technicians (engineers), management graduates, medical professionals, and English speaking graduates of other fields. This can place Nepal into one of the best Knowledge based business process outsourcing destination. Also, Nepal has the potential to become to be huge service market along with manufacturing hub due to geographical location of being between India and China. Now, we need to exploit this unique potential we have earned by development of our great neighbors.

To attract FDI (foreign companies), along with security, infrastructure development is mandatory. But if the defense expenditure is lowered and corruption controlled, the saved revenue is sufficient for early stage progress.

Now, coming back to the topic again, let’s analyze whether Vision Developed Nepal by 2025 is feasible or not. I say again, it can be done; but it matters how we develop. When France and Germany developed, it was compulsion fro Swiss to develop; so same applies here, Nepal has to develop when India and China develops. We have to and we will, in any case. But being at that stage, we may be forced to have puppet government, be lunch pad for foreign troops, be playground for foreign intelligence agencies or be a smuggling hub. This may even endanger our sovereignty.

To save Nepal from such tragedies, Nepali political circle should learn one lesson, "Run country by economic values and not by political values." Whether it is democratic parties or the Maoist, whoever comes to power their goal should be economic development. If the economic development programs are brought forward which is people centric but not populist, no one can stop Nepal from being a Developed Country by 2025.

Some of these programs can be -

* Lowering of Electricity Tariff to 2 to 3 rupees from current 7 plus. Nepali industries must get cheap electricity in the water rich country like Nepal to remain competitive in the Global Markets, when they have to expend high on transportation to reach foreign markets due to lack of Nepal's exposure to Sea.

* An immediate Free Trade deal with China on products that are not produced in Nepal. Nepal can have negative list of goods which needs protection, but this list has to be as small as possible. It will favor cheap consumerism to Nepali consumers and open up large Chinese market for Nepali companies.

* Establishment of at least two more international standard engineering colleges like IOE, Pulchowk and two international class management colleges (business schools). These colleges needs to be kept far from politics and made autonomous.

* Effective implementation of VAT and other revenue collection systems. A strict monitoring system and harsh punishment should be made for economic defaulters.

* Implementation of E-Governance System where ever possible.

* Demilitarization totally or military liquidation to have total army men of 25000. They should be well equipped strong Army Personnel working with equal potential as that of developed nations. This will save life as well as revenue. The extra revenue can be used for Infrastructure Development, Education and Health.

* Removal of oil and gas subsidy. The saved revenue can be utilized for building new and huge hydro-power projects.

Jai Nepal