Nepal is in crossroads with many kinds of debacles around
mainly due to diverse interests in politics. The brokers of the country repeatedly
give the reason of “Sankramankal” to hide their failure to bring development to
citizens. Glad that we are somehow remained in a position of a state until
today just because some of the state’s apparatus are functional those run
through the pre-defined legal processes. Our development agendas have not yet taken
a course and are in a trailing position. Let us talk about an issue that has
been neglected but closely interlinked and carries a huge influence in the social
dynamics- “the youth migration”.
We citizens, if introspect in a deeper manner, are compelled
to think about the future of the society and the country. What will be our
population dynamics in future? Who will
be the custodian of our society? These issues of grave concern come in the mind
while helplessly watching the youth population in a massive scale migrating
from this poor country. If we ask the educated youngsters in cities about their
future plans, most of them answer “bahira jane” (go abroad). One can find
talking about it at streets, tea shops and gatherings and all over. Parents
also accustomed to spend lavishly on them so their offspring land up to foreign
countries even if they need to support with the hugely borrowed debt.
However, it should not be seen just as a fault of these
youth. What is their mistake if they eye their pleasure and prosperity in
foreign land. If we go to the root of this issue, we can see this syndrome has
been developed into a culture since the past and children are pressurised by
the number of ‘push factors’- ongoing political turbulence, our foreign-loving
society, their peer group pressure and so forth. The issue here is not only
about the youth and their obsession of foreign education and culture but also
the dilapidated education and employment market system to absorb this youth
population inside the country. Particularly, the government needs reassessment-
How many quality institutions have been promoted to educate the youth in the
country? What kind of vocational education has it promoted in the country and
in what degree? How many high level research and development institutions are
opened up where young aspirants can expect to acquire higher degrees inside the
country? What is the prospect of their employment security there after? The
bottom line is: governments have substantially failed to create the rays of
hope to the youth in this country and indirectly promoting out-migration
culture.
We are having two education systems developing two type of
apprenticeship – by government schools and by private schools. This is
producing different kind of labour force promoting clear labour division of the
population. One kind often migrate to the Middle East, Malaysia for a subsistence
earning and another aspire for education & employment across Europe,
Australia and the US and mostly get settled there.
In this scenario, there are no other alternatives but set
clear measures to minimise this alarming migration trend. Primarily,
governments need to look after this matter seriously on policies and actions
needed in this direction. Our youth population needs to simply think about the
value of their presence in this country by the means of creating spaces for
themselves. Teachers and Parents also have a greater role in this mission.
Talented youth are urged to abstain from the thought of foreign life and
luxuries and sustain their living in Nepal so that they can make some
meaningful participation & contribution. For the decent job holders- let us
stop to aspire for the alien land in search of big buck. Homecoming is demanded
now instead.
In order to make our society descent and livable, we shall
develop the culture of respect and tolerance. Our youth need to act as a change
agent on it and rectify it. The ongoing political fiasco has corroborated that patriotism,
nationalism, people, democracy have become the politician’s favorite slogans to
fulfill their party and personal ambitions. The real nationalism lies at the
hands of youth through the means of protecting our vibrant culture, harmony,
promoting morality and contribute to nation building; and they need to act on
it urgently.
Youth participation in politics is significant now because
this is the ultimate means to power in our country. They should participate in
constitution formation process because youth voice cannot be replicated until
and unless it is left to the aged echelons of politicians. With ever increasing
migration and dwindling active youth population, a serious question comes on Nepal’s
survival with dignity in near future. An
urgent action needed.
kamal_kh@hotmail.com
