Deena Rai*, 23, a Bachelor student certainly thinks so. "My college's opening date has been postponed yet again," she says. "We were supposed to have our classes right now but because of the fuel shortage they said they would resume on November 8. But now I find out they have shifted the date further to November 18. Our board exams are scheduled for the end of December and we still have 50% of our course to complete. I just don't know how it is possible," she explains.
Frustrated, Rai insists that she has recently made up her mind to go abroad for further studies. Apparently the future she envisions for herself seems impossible in the politically instable Nepal.
"I scan through my newsfeed on Facebook and I see the various opportunities that my school friends are getting abroad. I want space to grow academically and I'm completely unsatisfied with my classes at the moment. Add to that these disruptions, I can't help but feel cheated," says Rai.
Similarly, Nikhil Pradhan, 25, lists managing to get his hand on some petrol and helping his father procure an electric stove at a bargain as his biggest achievements in the last few weeks. "No actually, make that the last month or so," he quickly corrects himself.
As a photographer, Pradhan had slowly been building his portfolio, receiving project assignments and even on his way to start a company based on his photography skills with his collaborators. That was his goal for 2015. Even after the earthquake, they were back on track with their plans.
"We were starting out with a workshop for students but then the fuel crisis kicked in. The schools canceled the workshop and what's more my other assignment for an organization this winter also seems to be on hold. I would happily walk to work but there is none at the moment. So I thought I might as well queue up. Now considering all that I had to go through to get my bike tank filled, I fully plan to put this achievement on my CV," jokes Pradhan.
At present, a good sense of humor is certainly a requirement if you are an ambitious youth trying to meet your goals in Nepal. Pradhan points out that the petrol lines stretch for more than five miles, the wait is long and arduous, thus the mind inevitably wonders if the decision to stay behind was a wrong call.
Even the EDV stations popping around town are proving to be a far more tempting offer than ever before. Ramesh Dahal who helps passersby fill their forms at Chabahill says there are around 500 people applying everyday on an average and as expected majority of them are youths. Dahal claims that their urgency to leave the country is palpable. A quick chat with them and the conversation always winds back to the current political problems ravaging the country. They cite this as their main reason to try their luck with an EDV.
Nepal has had a notorious history of failing to nurture their young by providing better healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. Just when we thought the scenario couldn't get any worse for youths and their prospects, we seem to have hit a new low.
However despite the fact that 28,126 students applied and received no objection letters for abroad studies in the fiscal year 2014/15 alone, there still are Nepali youngsters who are pursuing their studies in the country. Despite the fact that 80% of Nepalis who migrate abroad for work are youths, there still are many who are determined to make it work here.
Pratik Poudel, 30, an agro based entrepreneur, confesses he is losing sleep over his mushroom and poultry business in this present political climate. However, he still doesn't regret his decision to come back after completing his Masters in China.
"Working abroad is a tough task. Sometimes I feel Nepalis underestimate this. Regardless of wherever I started my business, I know I would have faced challenges of one kind or other. This blockade has certainly created many logistical problems but I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm trying to make it work like everybody else," reasons Poudel.
Though irked by the current situation, he refuses to solely place the blame of his stagnant business on the country. "It's a myth that you can't develop and earn well in Nepal. The market is full of possibilities for those who have a vision and aren't scared to work hard. Granted it will perhaps take more effort than other countries. You might have to overcome a couple more obstacles but if you stick to your guns there are few competitors and a big market that can be exploited. I haven't lost hope yet," says Poudel.
Sweta Gyanu Baniya, 27, works at an INGO and these days on her way to work she says she finds herself contemplating on Nepali's resilience. Since the petrol shortage has had her relying on public transportation these days, for starters her commute has become longer thus she has more time to mull over her fellow compatriot's tolerance. Further, her bus rides has given her an opportunity to reconnect with other Nepalis and hear their tales.
"My route often involves the market place so there are always people trying to balance these huge bags of vegetables and fruits. They talk about money, politics, daily hassle and how they deal with their hardship. I can only hope that this crisis will serve as a lesson. Hopefully it will motivate everybody to treat the issues of development and self reliance with the urgency it deserves," states Baniya.
Baniya concludes that it will take another generation for Nepal to become more stable. In the meantime, she sees her future plans taking her abroad. Just like Rai, she too believes that Nepal has exhausted its resources and in terms of personal growth and quality life doesn't have much to offer. Poudel is giving the statesmen the benefit of the doubt and is hoping for the situation to be resolved eventually so that he can get back to working on his business goals.
Pradhan, on the other hand, shares that he hasn't made up his mind yet. The thought of his photography company still excites him but he wonders if it would be smart to abandon the ship before it drowns in the depressing waves of the country's political instability. His friends abroad have already suggested that he start taking IELT classes and he doesn't know if he should take the suggestion seriously.
We should add this threat to the already long list of reasons for our country to get its act together. Young people have always proved to be invaluable partners to advance a nation. Their creativity, innovations, energy and motivation are crucial for any chance of Nepal's socio-economic developments. However, at the moment we are clearly teetering on the risk of aggravating our country's brain drain.
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