Wanted: More Airfields

Air links are few and far between in Nepal. Perhaps it would not matter much if Nepal was well-linked by roads. But that is not the case. Though the East-West highway serves as the artery, the paucity of north-south roads mean that large parts of hilly Nepal are road-less. Because roads are so expensive to be built, the alternatives are naturally airstrips. True, air travel is expensive. But when all other means of transportation are simply not available, air travel provides an indispensable means of mobility. Air transport, however unaffordable it may be to a lot of the people, does provide the crucial linkage to the outside world for the otherwise absolutely isolated regions of Nepal. Air transport is not only for travelling for those who can afford it, but also for delivering vital goods to these regions. Many of the food-deficit hilly districts of Nepal would face even greater difficulties if air transport were not available to ferry grains during particular times of the year. Major food crises have been avoided because food could be quickly transported by air. Given the significance of airstrips for rural Nepal, it is welcome news that the government is paying increased attention to building of airstrips as well as improving the air services. Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Bal Bahadur K. C., after a recent inspection tour of the remote mountainous districts of Mugu and Jumla in Karnali Zone said the government was going to take some decisions within a month on improvement of air services. At one gathering in Banke district, he informed that airfields that were closed now were being reopened and that out of the six airfields under construction two would be completed this year.

The benefits of airstrips for a mountainous district that has very few road links, if at all, are quite manifest. For food-grain deficit districts, airstrips mean regular supplies of food grains. A regular air transport would mean the people would not have to remain isolated for long periods. No doubt, airstrips also enhance tourism. The increased accessibility provided by air transport helps to bring tourists to these regions which hold great many natural attractions. For the above reasons, opening more and more airstrips should be an obvious priority.Meaningful Interactions

A JAPANESE team from Osaka-based Poole University arrived in Kathmandu to learn about Nepalese culture, lifestyle and educational situation of Nepal. This Japanese team is by no means the very first coming to Nepal to learn more about Nepalese culture, lifestyle and its educational situation. There had been many before them; and more would be coming in the future. But what is indeed noteworthy is that these Poole University students from Japan, despite their heavy study schedule, have taken some time off to come to Nepal to know more about this country. And, in return, also to teach some secondary-level students in Pokhara about their language, culture and art. Undoubtedly, this meaningful exchange between Nepalese and Japanese students will lead to a better understanding of each other’s culture, language and lifestyle. And, through interaction, of each other’s wishes, aspirations and outlooks. This, in more ways than one, would assist in breaking down whatsoever barriers there exist between the Nepalese and Japanese students, thereby assisting them in forging a life-long friendship. Since the students of today are the future leaders of tomorrow, such friendship could prove beneficial to both Nepal and Japan in the years to come.

Nepal and Japan do share similarities in history, culture and religion. Yet, there is indeed a wide chasm between these two friendly nations in economic development front. If Japan is the world’s second most powerful economy, then Nepal is considered to be one of the few basket cases of the world. What Japan has achieved today is verily due to the labour, knowledge and expertise of its people. More particularly of its students who, after finishing their education, go on to contribute their mite to different fields of Japanese endeavours. This is because Japan, whatsoever its problems and challenges, always allocated quite a hefty amount of its yearly budget for the education sector. This apart, Japan has not lagged behind in carrying out timely reforms in its education sector, thereby ensuring that the students not only get the best education but are also equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and expertise to assist the nation in its all-round development efforts. Since there is much that the Nepalese students and educationists can gain from their Japanese counterparts, the need to come up with more Nepal-Japan cultural exchange programmes is always there.