SAF Games in quandary

The National Sports Council (NSC) and the Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC), unlike so often in the past, have shown a rare sense of urgency to prepare for a sports meet. They have launched preparations for the ninth South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Islamabad, Pakistan. While it might seem a wise idea, this unprecedented hurry shown by Nepali sports officials, however, is still unclear. Especially when Nepal, already facing financial crunch, had to take the brunt of 36.6 million rupees last year for the preparation and participation of 220 athletes in the Games. And the nation can ill afford to drain out millions of rupees before it ascertains that the Games are taking place as scheduled.

The Games, originally scheduled for October 9-15 last year, were already postponed twice. At first, it was due to security reasons following the United States’ military campaign in neighbouring Afghanistan. Although the local organisers proposed a new date of March 30-April 8, it had to be called off again because of the mounting tension between India and Pakistan. It would only be clear if the Games, which are rescheduled for March 29-April 7, 2003, could go ahead as planned when the executives of South Asia Sports Federation (SASF), the Games organisers, meet on January 9 in Pakistan.

The SAF Games, which to a major extent have established an arena for the sports talents of the region, especially for smaller nations, can only emerge out of a dark cloud of uncertainty when all SASF member nations agree to put sports away from politics. Politicians, when it is expedient and helpful to a particular cause, usually embrace sports and echo its usefulness, as they would promise in a manifesto. Somehow it is usually the sportsmen and women who get caught in the crossfire; they are the ones who are made sacrificial lambs as different sides try to score political points. Big countries like India may afford to skip and still find wherewithal to prepare their athletes to compete in Asiad and Olympiad. But that would be a great injustice to players of smaller neighbours who want such regional games to go ahead. All that to exhibit their skills and get ready to face bigger challenges.

The idea of bringing people of different walks of life together has always been the primary objective of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC). And in this regard, hardly anything else would rival sports, which as a catalyst invokes a true spirit of friendship, goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the region. Events like SAF Games not only provide opportunities to develop sports, but also contribute to creating a healthy atmosphere of peace in the region. South Asia now needs to display remarkable resilience in keeping its traditions alive and vibrant. Predictably, therefore, everyone is pinning high hopes on two of the fellow SAARC members, India and Pakistan, to come up with a solution that preserves, protects and promotes the fragile fabric of peace in the region.

Revamping Prime Minister’s Office

Good governance is the main thrust of and a great challenge to the government of any sort, form or the type mainly in the underdeveloping countries. Corruption, embezzlement, tampering and trampling rules and regulations, injustice and poor delivery are some contradictory terminologies inherent in the practice of good governance. Out of all, corruption is the most popular jargon ubiquitously pronounced by the Nepalese to connote our poor state of affairs.

In order to nip the above stated maladies in the bud, the governance part has to be strong. At this juncture, it would be rationale to presume that the true spirit of governance should trickle down from the top. The Prime Minister’s Office is also assumed as an epicenter of executive powers. In order to kick-start the process of delivering goods and services as part of a major drive to provide the flavour of able governance, the inspirational source of Prime Minister’s office (PMO) must be duly equipped and maintained. However, this gigantic responsibility is virtually impossible for the Prime Minister to discharge alone. The entire spectrum of activities has to be set in tandem. The most important would be the use of electronic devices as used by the able leaders, namely, Chief Minister (CM) of Andhra Pradesh who would be the role model in this case due to our multiple similarities. How is the CM meeting about 2500 persons each day and delivering the goods and services to the extent possible despite being the CM of one of the impoverished states of India? The major thrust areas of concern required for effectively discharging his duties and helping in decisions are institutionalized in fingertips through the help of electronic devices. He inspects the latest status of revenue, expenses, foreign trade himself in first half of his work hours. And, with the help of a computer, decisions with far reaching implications exercised by the CM in administering the state are personally tracked down to ensure they reach the concerned authorities.

Now, let us delve into the ways and means of revamping possibilities of the PM’s office through the help of contemporary devices in the aftermath of electronic revolution in the context of Nepal. Prior to anatomy exercise, it is imperative to comprehend the structural design of our decision flow. Every PM takes oath and assumes office for delivering products and services as stipulated in his manifesto. But, once after taking charge, every one of them is bewildered due to the chaotic management and the stumbling decision process practiced for years. The conventional process and the reluctant practice of reorienting toward a modern oval office have always been a great challenge to crack down the dogma.

The use of computer in our daily life is increasing phenomenally. Look at its use at airlines, hotels, and car rentals to small grocery shops. But if an integrated network is established, numerous users will be facilitated to use the system (airlines, hotels). Likewise, through the network system integrated at the ministries and their subsidiary offices, information will consistently flow at its arteries availing the facilities to all concerned. This would allow the information to flow vertically and horizontally as per the structural necessity. However, this facility can be withheld in unwanted areas of authority, too.

Everyday, the Prime Minister has to make myriad of decisions. The decisions made through the cabinet meetings, as this usually happens as routine affairs, have far-reaching ramifications mainly in the sphere of governance. Various correlated activities and decision-making processes need a systematic organization of work so that the inputs required for the prompt decision-making would consistently flow in the main stream. All the employees assisting the PM would have access to the required amount of information (with the password) to source the information or the decisions proportionate to their capacities and positions so that everyone becomes alert in discharging his/her duties. Any information or decisions held or stumbled will be transparent to all the concerned stakeholders for necessary action. Transparencies, as a hallmark of democracy, will be abundantly reflected on every stopover of decision highway, which eliminates overlapping, confusion and tremendously reduces chronic and cumbersome bureaucratic procedures. Depending on its compatibility and successive moves, the concept can be integrated in all areas of administrative offices based within Nepal so that the entire nation/authorities are gradually enveloped within the system of e-governance. In the long run, the process of prompt decision-making will overshadow the stigma attached to the politicians as an incompetent functionary.

Likewise, if a similar system is installed at the Prime Minister’s office, abundance of activities, appointments, information, and decisions will be systematically organized within a broad system, enhancing the capacity and productivity of all the employees, including the Prime Minister. The decisions made will percolate with greater ease and the questions and answers will be properly entertained within a stipulated time-frame. The decision highway will be formally streamlined setting precedence irrespective of the change in the position of Prime Minister. The information and communication flow will be systematized and they will follow a definite course to reach the end user with a greater flexibility. The act of liaison with its line ministries and department will be fortified and have a greater access and coherence for a long-term retention of inputs and information. The entertainment of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will be enhanced and replied in an automated format as deemed necessary. The grievances and complaints raised by the general people can have an easy and transparent access to all the concerned for proper direction towards the department redressing it. Thus decisions will invariably trickle down promptly in respective quarters for early resolution of the problem.

All we need is a strong will to work in consonance with the pace of time. If we cannot fine-tune our style of working, the problems would turn acute, the word governance would lose its essence, and democracy becomes more elusive than today.

Talking big

Everyone, I guess, is   tired of hearing all sorts of so-called intellectual outbursts in different media. One question always springs in my mind, and I would like to ask: "Are you ready to give up the facility which you are using now as a small token of contribution from your side for the betterment of the nation ?" The real answer would be "NO WAY" from all so-called intellectuals of our country, because it is the truth that no one is ready to give an ounce from his/her side for the sake of the country. The biggest proof of this fact is the existing scenario of Nepal.

What I would like to inter from such a trend is that we are yet to commit ourselves to the nation. The nation is suffering no doubt, and everybody knows it, but people are not serious to take a single step to make whatever contribution they can make from their side. All are busy in pointing out the mistakes made by another person and try their best to highlight them to sell themselves.

So before giving out big statements, I would like to request all bigwigs of our nation to take a pause for a minute, reflect on their deeds and think what ought to be their obligations to society. When democracy was restored in our country, all were hoping for better days to come. But on the contrary, as observed by everyone, the policy makers started exploiting the country’s resources to such an extent that the loss seems to be almost irrecoverable.

Hence, it is the sincere request from all patriotic citizens to them to think twice before letting out words that complicate the situation unnecessarily. That is because simple people are losing their patience due to the dual nature of politicians, bureaucrats and Maoists. It is clear that all of us are seeking for change, a change that would totally root out all sorts of existing hypocrites. All are sick and tired of their habit of identifying only the problem, not the solution, which shows their ability to a certain extent.

Hence, it is high time that the policy-makers be serious regarding our country’s present and future. They should shift their focus from their own benefit to that of their country and citizens. They are answerable to each and every Nepalese and his/her rights. How can people be motivated to pay tax, if they are not provided with basic necessities like drinking water, road and security? It is understandable that everything cannot happen in a flash, but at least something must be done somewhere. Otherwise, it will be too late.

Take advantage of e-commerce

The Economist magazine once noted that technological turning points are difficult to spot. In the twenty-first century, information age is about changes and about achieving new impossibilities. This change will affect businesses. We need to understand it more than ever before and take advantage of it. Businesses of all sizes need to understand the role that computers, networks, and technology can play in creating new impossibilities. And if they can harness this potential, they will be successful entrepreneurs. Businesspersons, who bring in new products to the market, increase consumers’ choices, lower costs, and improve national economies, will be a celebrating lot. Let’s just analyse the changes that have taken place in the telecom and information sectors in the last few decades. The global network of computers, telephones, and televisions has increased its information—carrying capacity a million times over last four decades. In 1960, a transatlantic telephone cable could carry only 138 conversations simultaneously. In the present context, a fiber-optic cable can carry 1.5 million conversations at one time. Today’s laptop computers weigh as little as 1.85 pounds (0.83 kilograms) and are many times more powerful than the $10 million mainframe computers of the mid-1970s. Twenty-five years ago there were only about 50,000 computers worldwide; today that number is estimated over 160 million. And no communications medium has ever grown as fast as the Internet, which has an estimated over 50 million users worldwide. Two key issues are emerging as increasing numbers of individuals, and companies use electronic networks to engage in commerce:

1. The need for companies to focus on their value-added services and products; and

2. The need to delineate the appropriate roles of the private sector and the government for the creation of harmonious web business environment.

The Internet, Intranets, extranets, and other communications networks are lowering entry barriers to commerce, enabling both small and large firms as well as consumers to engage in and benefit from electronic commerce. Electronic commerce is already generating important sales and savings for businesses.

For example, the on-line bookseller Amazon.com’s increasing share of the bookstore market (by offering discounts up to 40 percent) forced major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders Books to go on-line. Federal Express delivery service saved as much as $10,000 a day in 1996 by moving some of its customer service to its Web site. Today a customer can have status on their delivery at the click of a mouse by the web-based tracking system. Dell Computer now sells approximately $1 million worth of PCs every day on the Web. General Electric buys approximately $1,000 million or more in materials from suppliers on-line and saves money by streamlining the process and opening it up to more competition. One important thing to be noted here is that it is not simply a matter of creating a Web site. Amazon.com is a success, now valued at around $500 million. Interestingly, a British businessman pursued the same idea at the same time but his company is around worth $3 million only today. Why the difference? Jeff Bezos, the American owner of Amazon.com, delved into the industry and repositioned itself to be near one of the world’s biggest book warehouses. Mr Bezos also raised $11 million from venture capitalists at the beginning and heavily marketed his business. He learned how to market effectively worldwide. Amazon.com sales outside the United States are more than 10 times the British company’s sales outside of Britain. Electronic commerce is not just for big corporations. In fact, it provides exciting possibilities for small companies and entrepreneurs to knock onto markets around the world. Moreover, it enables the sharing of valuable information and resources.

The Internet is causing a lot of businesses to rethink how they do their business. Business owners and executives should ask themselves:

1.If the Internet, in its current state, had been around when the enterprise was founded, would we be running our business the way we are doing today?

2. If the answer is no, why not change now? Can we develop a niche market?

3. How can you compete effectively with off-line companies as well as other on-line companies?

The private sector has a key role to play in the prudent expansion of e-commerce and should develop many of the solutions to emerging legal, policy and technical challenges with respect to web business, particularly activities concerning business on the Internet. Our government should encourage entrepreneurs to tap instate and international market using the web-based services to promote Nepal and its products. Definitely, Nepal has miles to go in this sector and needs to remove many hurdles, problems and issues. When activities on the Internet raise new and challenging issues, the government should first turn to the private sector to see if a solution can be crafted without government action because web operations have gone beyond the control of any government. The Internet community has expanded the Internet, successfully managing its operation and growth, and developing policies and mechanisms to govern its use without government regulations.

Many of the solutions to emerging Internet-related concerns lie with technology, accepting the practical reality, the private sector business community and the concerned government should and definitely can take advantage of its entrepreneurial energy.

The government does have a valuable and at times critical, role to play with respect to the development of electronic commerce. The government should be engaged in:

1. Promoting a market-driven environment.

2. Creating a predictable legal environment governing electronic commerce transactions and

3. Building business and consumer awareness about externalities that undermine healthy markets.

The government and the business community should take steps to fulfill this role. Increased commercial activity on the Internet makes it an increasingly attractive target for government regulation to address concerns about fraud, content, and competition. The government should strive to preserve the Internet as an unregulated, contract-based, market-driven environment internationally as well as interstate by promoting the world class know-how expertise and recruiting them for all the possible solutions. Every legal and practical initiative should be taken by the authorities concerned to facilitate electronic commerce and protect consumers by designing such approaches which ensure competition, prevent fraud, foster transparency and facilitate dispute resolution.