National 6 (Spotlight Weekly)

Policy And Participation

Youths demand a separate National Youth Policy and a proper participation in the policy-making and implementation

By A CORRESPONDENT

Youths are the vehicle of change for any society. However, in Nepal, the youths have become a vehicle for violent politics. Whether Maoists or any other parties, youths are being used to spread violence and anarchy.

Furthermore, the state, too, has not been able to address the concerns of the youths. Consequently, hundreds of thousands of youths have left the country for working overseas. They have used their blood and toil to send home precious foreign currency in the form of remittance, which undoubtedly has been holding the economy together from collapsing totally.

Unfortunately, youths of Nepal still do not have proper representation in mainstream policy-making bodies. Though there are a number of student organizations, they are politically affiliated and have become mere tools of the parties who use them to pressure those in power.

Youth : We want more say

As such, youths have started to realize the need for comprehensive youth policy. On the occasion of the International Youth Day on August 12, a conference of youths was organized by the Youth Initiative (YI). The conference has proposed a draft policy with the aim of actually involving the youths in the policy formulation and implementation process.

“We believe that the issues of the youths should not be left alone to the youths. It should become everybody’s concern,” said Rajendra Mulmi, president of the YI.

In fact, the government had taken few tentative steps in the past to form the National Youth Policy but in vain. “At one point, the ministry had even sent the policy by including views of several ministries to the cabinet for final approval. However, it could not be approved because we had not included view from the Labor Ministry. No development has been made since in this direction,” said Prakash Jung Karki, an official at the youth section at the Ministry of Education and Sports.

“I, too, support the idea of having a comprehensive youth policy on how to mobilize the potentials of our youths in the national development. I will fully cooperation from my side to pass the policy,” said State Minister for Education and Sports Bal Krishna Khand.

Tara Nath Dahal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ), believes that the youth policy needs to be such that it can use the force of youths in constructive development. “Youths need to be mobilized in ending the conflict,” he stressed.

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day was “Youths in an Inter-generational Society”. In fact, Mulmi said, it was high time that the youths of Nepal start realizing their potential and working together to change the face of their nation. “We should not get stuck by petty differences. We should start working right away and try to induct different voices all the time,” said Mulmi.

Retailers To Celebrate Silver Jubilee

The Nepal Retailers Association (NRA) is celebrating their silver jubilee anniversary this year by organizing various programs. “After being established in 1972, the NRA has been instrumental in bringing together the retailers for the purpose of providing more services to the consumers,” said Pabitra Bajracharya, general secretary of the NRA.

“Likewise, we have also helped in making the business community aware and up to date about the income tax, business tax and standards of measurement,” said Bajracharya.

The NRA has been actively working to promote and expand the market and business opportunities for various products by creating new markets and new consumers.

“Our aim is to provide service to the consumers both in terms of quality and quantity of goods,” said Ganga Manandhar, president of NRA. The association also has been providing various trainings to its members. And it has also organized social service programs like blood donation and sports in the past.

According to Sandesh Manandhar, coordinator of the public relations committee of the NRA Silver Jubilee Celebration Campaign, the association will highlight the role played by retailers in the strengthening of national economy.