Foreign Aid
Nepal has been fortunate that is has a long list of well-wishers and friendly nations around the world (“Friends In Need, Friends Indeed” SPOTLIGHT February 16). The cover story also pointed out to this fact. Because of the generous help by the friendly nations, Nepal has been able to survive amid difficult situation. The assistance has helped the country’s economy to carry on.
Ramesh Bista
Sallaghari
Careful Analysis
The cover story (“Friends In Need, Friends Indeed” SPOTLIGHT February 16) showed how western European countries and Japan , who have minimal geo-political interests in Nepal , have been showering the country with help. They have particularly been active in supporting the rural people through grassroots programs. Likewise, the European countries have also shown their top priority in the human rights situation and humanitarian concerns. People of Nepal are very grateful for their generous aid. Their help will be very useful as Nepal embarks on the path towards building new Nepal .
Janak Dhital
Kuleshwore
Don’t Depend On Foreign Aid
While it is good that Nepal ’s friends have pledged generous support, we should start to develop on our own strength and not always depend on foreign aid (“Friends In Need, Friends Indeed” SPOTLIGHT February 16). Already our policy makers and planners are fraught with what is known as dependency syndrome. They talk about carrying out such and such project by raising so much foreign assistance. They have forgotten that the country should try to stand in its own feet. More dangerous than accepting foreign aid is the tendency to consider foreign aid as necessary for all kinds of nation-building efforts. Every passing year, Nepal is becoming more and more dependant on foreign aid. Its people have to bear billions of rupees of foreign debt. Besides, the tendency of looking for foreign aid will ultimately lead to a situation where our people will not work. They will become lazy and survive on the paltry assistance thrown by rich countries. The eight parties must make a decision about this problem soon. As it will be unrealistic for us to immediately start refusing all kinds of foreign aid, the parties should rather formulate a long-term policy about the acceptance of the foreign aid. They could plan how much of foreign aid they will accept this year and how much they will accept ten years from now. These are some of the most fundamental questions that our leaders must answer. The Maoists when they were engaged in people’s war had been saying that they will reject foreign aid once they grab power. Their leaders had, time and again, stated that the foreign aid was one of the major reasons causing the poverty in the country. They talked about the pauperization of Nepalese people due to the unbridled entry of the foreign aid. However, after the restoration of Loktantra, they have stopped making such acerbic remarks. In their efforts to gain confidence of donors and foreign governments, they have swept their concerns inside the carpet. This tendency is equally appalling to all of us. Though the Maoist leaders still say that they are in favor of developing domestic capital, their voices now lack the gusto and fail to inspire confidence. They should have, at least, told the people that they want to cut down the level of foreign aid the country will accept. Unfortunately, recently a senior Maoist leader Chandra Prakash Gajurel was telling an FM radio that once the Maoist government comes to power, the foreign aid will pour in substantially more. And he was saying so as a matter of pride.
Laxman Gurung
Dhobighat
Terai Questions
The article “Short Relief” (SPOTLIGHT February 16) pointed out that the agitation in Terai could flare up anytime soon. It is clear that the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) will not back out till Home Minister Krishna Sitaula resigns. But the government is in no mood to meet their demands. As such, the country will have to bear another round of violence and rioting. How much this country can take? Riots and bandhs have already taken a heavy toll in terms of lost lives and economic opportunities.
Shyam Gartaula
Bhimsengola
Inflation In The Horizon
The growing inflation is becoming a big cause for concern (“Looming Large” SPOTLIGHT February 16). At a time when economic growth have virtually stagnated, the increase in inflation is sure to eat up any growth. Couple this with the population growth and you will have an economy that is actually contracting.
Bikendra Singh
Thapathali
