Leadership Crisis In Nepal
Need For Common Vision

By Dr. Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay

LEADERSHIP is an authority by which certain individuals activate and guide groups. In the developing countries like Nepal, the problems of leadership are often complicated. In any organisations, individual members of the group may be trying simultaneously to solve personal problems and group problems. Some of them may be using the group primarily to fulfil their need for social approval or for dominating others.

Self-centered

Usually, Nepalese political leaders are self-centered. They seem to be trying to solve their own problems instead of paying attention to the common public needs. Management experts state that a successful leader persistently tries to set up activities and activate the group in such a way that both individual and group wants can be accomplished. In crisis period, the leader's major duty is to fulfil the targeted goal. Frequently, the leader must play a role as a father of the institution. Thus, the leader should struggle to make a social environment inside an organisation. Nepal has already seen more than a decade of democracy. However, its democratic culture and norm, both in politics and governance, does scarcely emerge from the state of crisis. Democratisation proceedings, as commonly observed, suffered greatly from a lack of minimum understanding between political parties, polarisation of public administration and a low profile of civil society. In an address to the country, on October 4, 2002, His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev announced that he had assumed the executive power under article 127 of the constitution. In that address, he had clearly stated the need of clean personalities as ministers, who would not to contest the forthcoming election. It is true that today Nepalese people are disappointed with politicians. In every work, they demand money and works are done on the basis of only money. At the same time, donor agencies have pointed out that corruption is devouring Nepalese political culture.

Lately, in the context of corruption, the Special Court granted 25 days judicial custody to ex-ministers Khum Bahadur Khadaka and Jayaprakash Prasad Gupta, and two former top government officials , as requested by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The CIAA had wanted 30 days judicial custody for the detainees. Certainly, political leaders are the key figures of the nation. They must be clean and honest. In the case of Nepalese politicians, these ideologies do not function effectively. Usually, for winning elections, they use money, power and other illegal activities. In essence, these illegal activities of Nepalese political leaders disturb the whole nation in various aspects. Moreover, the government has made an act, which requires an individual to proclaim the legal sources of their assets. Today, such approach will significantly contribute to the struggle in opposition to corruption. Not everyone can be -nor should wish to be -a leader. Recognition, achievement, and dominance are the three features that attend the effective leader.

In an article published in People's Review weekly, Kamala Sarup states that Nepalese leaders who succumb to bribes become alienated by the general population, lose their standing in the international community, and ultimately lose their political legitimacy. In every culture, political and economic systems need justification. This involves acceptance by general people, which will happen only if people see the systems as efficiently serving the needs. If Nepal enhances its capabilities in aid productivity and utilisation, and curbs the misuse of the funds it would not fall into debt trap so easily. Also she further reflects that the action by anti-corruption bodies has its own importance and should not be discouraged in an attempt to produce a good government. However, attention should be paid to other options of checking corruption. Financial loot by lower revenue officials to high officials and ministers has made the country poor and individuals rich. So, in this context, the general people are expecting and waiting to see new and clean political leaders. Certainly, these expectations may be fulfilled by forthcoming election.

In Nepalese context, the political leadership seems to be self centered . The present situation emerges on the basis of the failure of leaders to work effectively for the people and the country in the earlier days. Usually, democracy is based on people's trust on their representatives to respect the rule of law, deliver justice and provide peace and security to all.

Autocratic or authoritarian leaders give orders, assign task and duties without consulting the employees.. He neither cares for their opinions nor permit them to influence the decision.

Vision

Lastly, leadership in organisation is taught and trained only through diversified techniques viz. directing, coaching, supporting and delegating. Successful leadership depends on both personality and situational factors. Leadership establishes direction by mounting a vision of the future. Leaders align people by communicating this vision and inspiring them to achieve the common national goal.

Tourism Promotion
Collective Efforts Needed

By Sanu Maiya Pradhan

WORLDWIDE there have been 693 million international arrivals in 2001 corresponding to a decrease of 0.6 per cent or 4 million down from the 697 million of 2000. Tourism growth already decelerated before September 11 because of the deterioration in economic conditions affecting major North American, European and Asian economies at the same time, with worldwide economic growth dropping to 2.5 per cent in 2001, down from 4.7 per cent in 2000, with some economies even slipping into recession for part of the year. The terrorist attacks of September 11 severely aggravated the situation and as a result, for the first time since 1982, the worldwide number of international tourist arrivals showed a slight decrease. International tourism experienced a serious crisis.

Global Effect

Not every destination has been equally affected. Most affected was South Asia (a drop of 24 per cent in the period of September-December 2001). The number of tourists coming a Nepal has declined by 21.2 per cent during the 2000/2001 period. Tourist arrival had declined by 5.7 per cent last year over the previous. On sector wise distribution of tourist, India and the Asian countries cover 48.4 per cent of the total tourist arrival in Nepal. The other markets are 34.2 per cent from western Europe, 10.6 from North America, 3.6 from Australia and the Pacific region, 1.5 from Eastern Europe, 1.3 from central and Southern America and 0.4 per cent from Africa.

There were only limited destinations like Annapurna region, Khumbu region, Kathmandu, Chitwan and Pokhara that they were not enough for luring more tourists. It is a fact that there are unique and attractive areas like Khaptad area, Rara Lake area, Makalu area and Kanchanjungha area which can attract a greater number of tourists. But these areas have not received attention from government and non-governmental levels. If such areas untrodden by tourists are developed and promoted as tourists destinations without distorting their indigenous values and characteristics, tourist activities would automatically increase and thereby contribute more to the national economy. The stay period of tourists in Nepal also declined from 11.9 days in the 1999/2000 to 11.4 in 2000/2001 and that has resulted in low tourist business. If the tourism industry has to prosper what is needed is a sea change and reform in all the sectors related to this industry. The government as well as private entrepreneurs must think of offering new products and open a regional level institute or University to produce quality manpower that could best guide the tourists and help lengthen their stay in the country.

The promotion of village tourism, a new concept gaining popularity worldwide, again could be very much fruitful for Nepal because it is known as the country of villages which are diverse and unique against each other in many aspects and could thus attract the attention of the tourists. Moreover, the development of domestic tourism can also contribute in this regard. There is not doubt, that tourism is one of the few major forex earners and contribute much in generating revenue.

Nepal could do with attracting more Indian tourists who generally find Nepal as a near and affordable destination while the Indian market, traditionally the largest supplier of tourists to Nepal has seen severe downturn in recent times, due to for instance the requirement for an Indian tourist to produce an identification card in order to board the plane to Nepal. The tourist arrivals from India had dropped in 1999, the year that witnessed the hijack of an Indian Airlines Airbus that had taken off from Kathmandu for New Delhi on December 26. Before the Indian 'Airlines hijack Indians used to occupy around 30 per cent of the total tourist-arrivals in the country. The highest figure of total tourist arrivals the country notched up in recent years was in 1998-when around 500,000 visited the country. The issues of dry port as well as allowing private airlines from both sides to fly into each other's territory sound also be raised. Of the three million out bound Indian tourists every year, Nepal receives only 150,000 according to HAN. The Indian market is very important for the success of the Destination Nepal campaign announced by the government for the year 2002/2003. South Indian tourists traditionally visit South East Asia or the Far East for short to medium destinations for leisure and holiday travel.

China, which has over 1.26 billion people, could be one of the biggest tourism markets for Nepal. Figures indicate that over 12 million Chinese traveled to different South Asian countries. Until now, China has included 21 countries as its outbound holiday destinations in different parts of the world. Nepal is the first South Asian Country included by the Chinese government on outbound tourist destination list in 2001. There is a great potential for Nepal to attract Chinese tourists. In order to facilitate the prospective visitors in obtaining Nepalese visa, the government has already agreed in principle and the necessary works are underway. Chinese tourists show their keen interest in visiting the Buddhist, pilgrimage sites such as Lumbini, Swayambhunath, Namo Buddha and others in Nepal. There are more than 150 million Buddhists in China.

Lack of easy accessibility is one of the major bottlenecks hindering the promotion of tourism between two neighbouring states. The China South West China Airlines operates flights on the Lhasa-Kathmandu route. Similarly, the Royal Nepal Airlines Co-operation (RNAC) has been using Shanghai only as a hub destination. It makes a stop over in Shanghai while flying to Osaka in Japan and returning from there. Air seat is the basic requirement to promote tourism in any country. To enhance accessibility, the Chinese tourist should be given free visa.

The upcoming Fiscal year's Budget's priority on peace and security will surely help revive the tourism industry. As a matter of fact, our inability to ensure the international community of peace and security in the country is the main reason behind the downslide of the tourism industry. The government's decision to provide special loan with cheap interest for sick industries including tourism is also a positive step. HMG is observing a destination Nepal campaign 2002-03 with the objective of raising awareness among the masses for development of tourism in a sustainable and coordinated manner. Under the programme, a target has been set to bring in 500 thousand tourism. Destination Nepal Campaign on (DNC) includes Various programmes to educate and generate awareness regarding tourism promotion, which is expected to reverse the negative growth of tourism in the last couples of years.

Collective efforts

Tourism is a very complex and sensitive industry, and it needs the collective effort of all the sectors related to it and different activities like tourism education, awareness, marketing and promotional activities to promote and propagate it. Despite the importance of tourism, the allocation of funds for its development and promotion is very low that is why the government and the private sector should develop a system to generate necessary fund for the promotional activities and monitor the effects of tourism awareness and marketing.

Unwanted Bandhs

By Gandhi Raj Kafle

WHAT pleasure did the recent three day Bandh offer to the people ?! Transport did not play the roads and shops, school and colleges remained closed. Employees of the capital spent hours and hours for reaching offices. The similar kind of difficulty was there for them to return. The people, who had to meet their obligations in time, suffered badly due to closure obstacles. These are some of the pleasures the recent three day Bandh offered to Kathmanduities.

Actually, Bandh's pleasure is to snatch away comforts. If it's definitely so, who wants it to repeat again and again ? According to the common thinkings, no one is against the smarter way of life. The people, who have to reach hospital in time, need uninterrupted transport facilities. The emergency case is emergency case. Can it be delayed or postponed due to Bandh? The obligations of life are obligations. Can human beings ignore them due to Bandh barriers? The organisers may certainly be happy in market closure, there can't be any doubt about it. But, it's the people, who suffer most during such Bandhs.

This time like earlier, many people might have missed many things. Take an example of students, Schools and colleges were closed. They did not go to their learning centres. Actually, the country was on a long holiday due to the happy Dashain and Tihar festivals. Refreshed students had refreshed mind to attend class, which they could not utilise due to the closure of schools and colleges.

Oh ! then why Bandh comes again and again to show its face to the people like an unwanted guest and succeeds in closing everythings to limp busy city life? The people, actually, know the secret cause of it. Should it be opened? The Bandh organisers themselves, it can be believed, too know if they thing over it seriously. Industry does not function, factory faces closure, traders lose transactions of thousands of rupees and workers lose wages. Who does not want sweet return of their investment?
Yet, Bandh callers pretend to be ignorent about the cause of its success, so, the reason needs to be opened. It's the fear, which makes every Bandh a success. The people do not want to take risk in such things. Investment is a seed, which has to be saved and protected in the life wholeheartedly.
A small trader's whole things for livelihood to earn bread and butter in the life is his shop. So, he naturally has to count and recount the cost of Bandh for opening his shop, which invites risk of business damage. The whole transporters, the whole traders take it accordingly. That's why, Bandh succeeds, commuters suffer.

Actually, what the country require today urgently, is the Bandh of socially despised things like corruption, commission mongering and dilly daily of anykind, which obstruct the smooth delivery of public services. These things are not wanted in Nepal. That's why the people call for immediate Bandh of such malpractice, which is not possible instantly because it takes times and cooperation from all sides to stop. But, so far as unwanted Nepal Bandh is concerned, it succeeds. This is the trouble.