How many Nepali scientists, engineers, poets or politicians have received the Nobel prize?
How many Nepali scientists & engineers have published their Papers in the leading International Journals for Science & Technology?
Has any group of Nepali IT-specialists been associated with the design of Pentium-4?

Can Nepal boast of a Missile or Nuclear or Aircraft/Ship manufacturing capability? Or even an ISO-standard Food-Processing, Herbal or Packaging Industry?
Is there a super-speciality or cardiac hospital (with latest facilities) in Nepal?
Is there any educational Institute in Nepal which is equivalent to the IIMs, IITs, FMS, AIIMS, Delhi School of Economics, etc?

Does Nepal Government award any scholarship which is equivalent to NET (Merit) of the U.G.C. or C.S.I.R.?

Is there a single internationally known Ayurveda clinic in Nepal—despite the fact that Nepal is very rich in herbs.

Apart from the International NGOs (run mostly by foreign volunteers) how many indigenous Nepali Forums can honestly claim to be seriously working towards the socio-economic development of Nepalese & Nepal—inspite of the fact that many a Members of Nepali Forums are literate? Why are these Forums not in the forefront to eradicate alcoholism & smoking amongst women, and promote vegetarianism in the land of Lord Pashupatinath? Why do we, on the one hand, worship Lord Bhairon and, on the other, eat the meat of the ‘vahan’ of Lord Bhairon?

I am sorry to say (no offence meant, PLEASE, but it does call for an introspection) here are a few examples of what one finds in some of theses Forums (even in their Matrimonial Columns):-

http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/matriinfo.cfm?profileid=2423

http://www.ramjham.com/view_photos.cfm?userid=52CD25E7-094E-4B8B-AA71-3BBC6AE3173C&photoid=951BE4DA-20B3-4EB7-9702-D687A6C9B3E8&albumid=B787F95C-593D-41DC-9BB3-D2C29D31D165

http://www.ramjham.com/view_photos.cfm?userid=52CD25E7-094E-4B8B-AA71-3BBC6AE3173C&photoid=D65F9684-359E-43BF-B1AB-E338610BD458&albumid=B787F95C-593D-41DC-9BB3-D2C29D31D165

Moreso, the vulgarity of the contents of some of the Blogs published, is there for anyone to see.

According to one study, very young Nepali ladies are being sold by their fathers for as less as Rs.200.00; they are being taken to various countries (including India). Another survey says that about half the s-workers in the red-light areas of India are Nepalis. Please also see what the tourists are saying about Massage Parlours/Dance Bars, certain Hotels in Durbarmarg, Thamel (by-lanes of Thamel Main Road), Lainchor etc, or about a Guest House on way to Bhaktapur, or about some of the bhattis in Bhaisipati area —just visit: www.google.com and key in the relevant words.

I have studied in some of the best educational Institutes in India/Asia. Some of those who studied with me, are now occupying positions of power in Nepal—I was admitted to these Institutes strictly on Merit, whereas many of these gentlemen joined under the Government to Government sponsorship programme called the Colombo Plan. We can certainly take their help and organise a self-help Forum similar to the ‘Sanjhedari’ Groups promoted by the State Governments in India.

Nepal is a landlocked country. Its neighbours are many times bigger geographically, economically & militarily.
Nepal’s most convenient and comparatively cheaper communication-links, by surface and by sea, lie through Indian territory. Though we have an air-link, it has its own limitations.

Moreso, the nearest and financially affordable sources for professional/higher education and medical treatment for us are available in India--not everybody from Nepal can travel to Europe or USA.

When I read at sajha.com that Nepalis “HATE” Indians, I am reminded of what the people of Pakistan say about the people of India—there is no ‘people-to-people hatred’ even between these arch-rivals which have fought several bitter Wars. Moreso, the people of Nepal and India follow religions which are home-grown—Hinduism and Buddhism were not forced upon us by the invaders. The main sources of spiritual & cultural inspiration in both Nepal and India are the same—though the Indian culture has deteriorated due to the impact of Western materialism. The masses in Nepal still have innocent hearts—which I love and respect dearly.

In Nepal, the following projects are technologically & economically feasible in the infrastructural, industrial (including services) and educational fields:-
1) Metro rail.
2) A non-obtrusive and all-women Security Team (for contract-deployment in the Corporate world like the Microsoft, HP, etc. Since such Teams will comprise of Groups of Nepali ladies, their personal security is also ensured).
3) Business Processes Outsourcing; however, it requires a great improvement in their use of English language.
4) Unique Herbal Clinics.
5) World-class educational Institutes in scenic places like Pokhara, to attract students from abroad.
6) Super-speciality Hospitals, especially in those areas of health which can greatly benefit from the less-polluted climate of the Himalayas.

There must also be better economic & communications links with businesses in India. At present, it is too cumbersome and time-consuming even to send, from India, a Demand-Draft-- which is payable in Nepal.

No serious readers yet?

nepal.......u know wat the actual problem wid nepal is........
we who care, can do nothing & those who can do something don't care to do anything.

Honestly, I think that our biggest problem is that we always complain and ask why...
Why is there political instability? Why is there this inequality? etc...
I know there is very little that we can do from outside of Nepal. However, the last thing we should be doing is degrade our culture and country by belittling it. Every gathering, every party, that is all you hear. Why is Nepal the way it is...
Since a majority of us will not be going back in the foreseeable future, we should instead think of solutions as apposed to random criticisms. All I have to say is, if you think you can do it better, then go there and do it. In the meantime, think constructively not critically.
I admit that I do not know much about development and Nepal. Still, it is pretty clear to see that there are a few things we can do. Look at how much support Israel gets from the American jews and look at how much Tamils outside of Sri-Lanka contribute to their own people. Maybe if we did somethings along those lines, things would be different. Until then, I think it is unfair to criticize those that are even making an attempt and changing things.