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Kathmandu Wednesday January 30, 2002 Magh 17, 2058.
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Treat them well
The government is reconsidering the
"amendment" to the present Citizenship Law due to the pressure from the people
of Terai. It is a welcome news that this amendment will also cover the issue of Nepalese
presently living in various parts of the US and Canada. These Nepalese say that
"Nepal has not been able to tap a huge resource of these people." I may add that
this "huge resource of these people" should not be counted or considered in
terms of dollars only, they might invest in Nepal. It is the Nepali human resource which
is more valuable than dollars. We have not taken any meaningful step to bring back this
resource, the intellectual cream, to Nepal. The Nepali parents have invested a lot in
these migrants. But the country has not been able to tap Non-residents Nepalis (NRNs) who
are an economic potential, and can contribute to development.
It is not wrong to study and work temporarily in
a foreign country. But they do not come back because opportunities are too few and salary
and working environment are poor in Nepal. Even those who are willing to return to Nepal
have to go through many hassles. They are treated as foreigners. Due to this, the country
has not been able to tap the potential of NRNs.
Huta Ram Baidya
Kathmandu |
