Globalisation And Migration
Arrival Of The New Cosmopolitans

By M. R. Josse

THE focus of the latest issue of Deutschland magazine is migration. It deals mainly with its twin dimensions – immigration and emigration – as applicable to Germany.

PRIORITY AREA: In well-researched write-ups on the multiple aspects of the phenomenon of migration by a bevy of journalists, academics and politicians, Deutschland also offers dollops of valuable information/insights to a wider international audience.

Here an attempt is made to highlight a few notable ideas on the topic for two principal reasons: one, that little or no research worth the name has been conducted on the subject in this country despite its obvious politico-economic and even social-cultural importance; and two, because both immigration and emigration are becoming increasingly familiar aspects of Nepalese life today.

It is the hope that this modest endeavour might spark greater official, academic and media interest in what should be high priority if largely virgin public policy territory.

What needs to be noted is that people have been leaving their homes since immemorial, sometimes for economic reasons and at others to escape the wrath of oppressive or bigoted regimes.

Going even further, it can be said that migration of people has, since historical times, constituted an essentials element of the human condition since homo sapiens extended their reach all over the world precisely via migration.

Today, as the gap in per capita income between citizens of poor and affluent countries continues to expand continually, a powerful impetus has been provided for more and more people from the developing world to leave their countries in search for better job and related opportunities abroad.

Although such a process will probably continue into the foreseeable future as well, as most are aware, the United States remains one of the favourite migration destinations for Europeans, Asians and Latin Americans.

At this juncture one might note that, as per conventional wisdom, Nepalese emigration today is believed to be mainly targeted on the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

In the past, when it was said that the sun never set on the British Empire, population outflows from Nepal were directed to northeastern India, Bhutan, Myanmar with also a sprinkling to Singapore, the Fiji islands and, even, South Africa.

HISTORICAL NOTE: What must not go unmentioned is the much larger inflow of migrants into Nepal over several generations from neighbouring India, aided generously, among other factors, by the long and open border between them.

Earlier, during the period of Mughal rule in India a large, if undocumented, number of north Indians, including Rajputs, chose to make Nepal their home fleeing persecution – or worse – at the hands of the new rulers of Hindustan.

On a more universal level, today it can be safely asserted that the globalisation of the world’s economy has translated into an increasing number of highly qualified men and women working internationally in management, science, engineering and the arts.

They move with their families from job to job and, often, from continent to continent, as well.

One direct result of the migration spurred by globalisation is what G. Pascal Zachary calls the "new cosmopolitans" even as openness towards other cultures has now become a decisive competitive advantage. Says Zachary, an American who lives/works in London: "In our globalised economy it has become important to develop creativity and innovation through internal diversity."

The author of "The Global Me" says much sought-after international specialists are characterised by "roots" and "wings" meaning, in effect, that while they value their "roots" they wish also to take "wings" to foreign climes occasionally.

Zachary’s interesting thesis is: "In today’s New Economy, countries that rely only on their domestic talent –- and do not view immigrants as a lever of riches –- are destined to fall behind other nations, both economically and socially."

He also argues that "advanced nations are engaged in a race to gain access to talented people in much the same way that countries in an earlier era fought for control or natural resources or strategic positions."

In a knowledge economy, he stresses, "ideas are the basic sources of value and new ideas –- valuable ideas often arise from the unexpected, the collision of different viewpoints. And this happens through the mixing of people."

However, he cautions that the mixing of people from different lands must be managed, or it will lead to social disorder. "When well-managed, though, mixing of ethnic, racial and national groups creates the soil out of which innovation springs."

He continues, thus: "To some degree, this is the old story of supply and demand. Without new sources of talent, a country’s capacity to innovate shrinks. While some of this innovative talent can be home-grown, the world technological and industrial pacesetters increasingly rely on the efforts of non-natives."

ROOTS AND WINGS: To be sure, nations can close their doors to talented outsiders but that puts their prosperity at risk, as the Germans, for one, have now realised.

What must also be pointed out is that the nature of immigration has changed. Thus, many people no longer seek a new home, when they move from one country to another, but rather wish to maintain old ties (roots) even as they forge new ones (wings).

Though it is not possible for Nepal to adopt migration policies that have been adopted by larger, affluent countries, greater thought needs be given to encouraging Nepalese talent to also benefit from the new cosmopolitanism spurred by globalisation.

Time To Review Two Day Off Scheme?

By Mohan K.C.

IT IS not even two years when the two day weekend came into effect as per the decision of the government. In fact, prior to that Saturday was the off day for the government and corporation employees. It was also followed by the educational institutions and private enterprises.

The basic reason for the introduction of the two days a week off stemmed from the fact that in many other countries the system is followed. It was believed that with this system in force, it would be in keeping with the various foreign missions and other international offices located in Nepal. The fact was that the embassies and other foreign offices closed on Saturdays and Sundays. It is true that this has led to streamlining of the office related activities.

Whatever that may be the reason that the government had put forward for the introduction of the two days a week off was that it would lead to savings on fuel, electricity, water, etc. That may have been a valid reason for the introduction of the weekly off days scheme. This is all the more true that for a cash strapped country like ours any saving means a lot.

On an experimental basis, the new scheme was limited only to the Kathmandu Valley. The other parts of the country still follow the one day weekly off system. Even after almost eighteen months there has been almost no review of how effective is the weekend system that is enforced in the Kathmandu valley.

In fact, people at times speak for and against the two day a week off system. It is fine as far as Saturday comes into the picture but for Sunday it is business as usual except for the fact that the government and corporation offices remain closed together with the financial institutions.

With the daily work hours increased by an hour the weekly work days are five and 40 hours a week. As per international standards it is valid. But it is quite sad that not all employees report for duty at nine in the morning. Sometimes, as the sufferers claim, the staff come at some offices only at ten. This suggests that there is a lack of monitoring whether the employees arrive at the fixed time or not. In the lack of such there is a problem.

There are others from outside the valley who have to suffer if their work is not completed on Friday. And if Monday is a public holiday then it is hard time for them. To stay for two or three days more taxes them both mentally and financially. Moreover, the delay often means that their business back home suffers too.

As per disclosures made some time back the yearly expenditures of fuel, electricity and water have increased drastically in government offices despite of work being conducted only five days a week. For water and electricity alone the bill has increased by Rs. 50 million from Rs. 150 million to 200 million in the last fiscal year. Similarly, the transportation costs have risen by almost Rs. 20 million.

If the figures are to go by, no positive impact has been made on the total expenditures by the two day weekend scheme. The reality is that on the contrary the costs have escalated. To some extent it could be because of the higher tariff of electricity and the hike in the prices of diesel and petrol. Though calculation on that basis has not been, yet the picture may not be as rosy as it seems.

Though the concerned government officials have their own version. Yet there is enough reason for a serious review of the situation. And steps must also be taken uniformity in the weekly off days in the whole of the kingdom. This requires an in-depth study of how helpful the weekend scheme has been in the Kathmandu valley and its repercussions before deciding on appropriate measures to suit the whole country.

Meanwhile, there has been a genuine grievance of many people that the public holidays in the country must be curtailed. On this matter the government seems to have initiated steps so that the number of public holidays will be slashed. Otherwise, it would continue to be a land of holidays.

Though views may differ whether the two day weekly off suits the country or the individuals concerned, it seems essential that thought must be given to make it a permanent feature as is the case with most of the countries in the world. To keep up with the international trend it is necessary to retain the system. It gives time for the employees to relax for two days a week after the taxing five days of the week.

When the system was first introduced, there were some who believed the system would not work. But things have proved otherwise. The system is working and more people have appreciated it. Herein, one may be annoyed by the absence of the officials at nine or 9:30 in the morning. Such problems must be looked into so that the present scheme could be made more effective.

For financial institutions like banks may be they could find some other means so that the customers do not suffer because they remain closed for two days. May be they could open a counter on Sundays for transactions like deposits or saving accounts holders to draw out a certain amount of money. This would relieve some inconvenience faced by the people in general.

The two day a week off has given an employee more time to spend with the family and get refreshed for the next week of tiring duties. Therefore careful analysis ought to be made before deciding to retain or scrap the scheme.

The Good Bad Feeling Of Losing Pals

By Skandhar Rai

SO, TOTALLY bored I sat. What a day to have! I started thinking. The rain was pouring outside. And no electricity. I was depressed.

I had just spoken with one of my friends. Well I’d actually called to raise my spirits but later it seemed I’d called the wrong person.

Nothing actually in what he said depressed me though. I should actually be happy for him. He was going abroad to the land of opportunities, the US. He had got his visa, flight confirmed and above all - a scholarship!

At first, I was happy for him after all he was my best friend.

Everyone dreams of going abroad for further studies specially after completing his/her higher education in the country. I’d never been an exception and neither had he been one, except he hadn’t much faith in himself. But with some reasoning and after attending some seminars I’d finally convinced him to have faith in himself. Due to some reasons though I couldn’t apply but he’d gone through hell choosing the proper university, applying and planning everything. I gave him credit for all that. But now after talking to him, thinking about it I found that I was not quite as happy now as I had been just a few minutes before when I was listening to his excited voice stammering and telling me- ‘Kno...know what! I’m going abroad.’ Both of us were really happy then.

I was unhappy not because I, who initiated the whole studying abroad prospect and that I was not going but my friend (who was like an innocent bystander) was going. No. The green faced jealousy had definitely not reared its head within me. It was something different and it’s what most of us fear - loneliness.

The I was faced with the terrible truth and it made me feel glum. I was sad, not because of my friend’s good news, but because most of my good buddies were already on their way abroad. All had plans to go abroad specially after completing their I.Sc. and now all of us were going away in the separate directions not knowing when we would meet again. It was like this pre-planned drama in which God manipulates us to meet then separate-preparing us for further such separations in the future. No grudges, what-so-ever, with the Lord though. But it was just that feeling of loneliness that would not go away. In fact, which would go on ever increasing specially after I saw all my buddies leave Home-Sweet-Home, one by one. The truth I faced is that we were separating and I was not so found of separation. I looked at my mother watching me and I myself was surprised when I told her - ‘we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it.’

And she added with that grace-of-age voice- "It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives."

I kissed my mom for this and now wait. Wait... wait... and wait... for a new chapter to begin. A new chapter that I didn’t know existed.