Dateline Kathmandu

Package Program

-Malcom X

Package program seems to be the latest development mantra in Nepal. To solve Maoist problem we need package program. To alleviate poverty, we need  package program. To deal with unemployment, we need package program. To have security at the airport we need package program. To rehabilitate sick industries we need package program. We need package program here, a package program there. Sounds we need package program everywhere. By the way, what do you mean by package program?

The origin of package program comes from our touristic foreign consultants and advisors. You must have heard of package tours with attractive features. Similar is the case with package programs.

There are two aspects of package program. One is packaging the program and other is programming the package. Let us have the first thing first.

A. Packaging the program
Again, there are two dimensions in packaging the program. The first is the inaugural dimension. Here you have political VIPs, invitees, guests, resource persons, participants and the media, particularly, the TV crew gathered together for a show business. There will be malyarpan karyakaram (garlanding program) followed by lighting of diyo batti and a grand inaugural speech, probably, written by some one else. There will also be keynote address, remarks, mantabya and vote of thanks to be followed by clap clap clap and refreshments.

The program dimension involves guest lectures, resource persons, savvy participants, personal statements, anecdotes, Q&As. In some cases there will also be formal A4 size paper presentation. Some time it could be in English or in Nepali but better the way, if it is in English. The packaging the program can be taken place in any of the five star hotels in Kathmandu. Remember: the more the posh hotel you manage to package your program more successful you are. Let us go to the second part.

B. Programming the package
Unlike packaging the program, programming the package is bit difficult to comprehend. Best way to explain is to give a concrete example. The basic ingredients of a neatly packed package includes:
(1) A piece of chicken sandwich
(2) A piece of chicken cutlet
(3) Few pieces of potato chips
(4) A piece of fruit, either orange or banana
(5) A solid piece of lalmohan or rasbari to sweeten your mouth.  

Some further attraction to the package could be made with attractive wrapping papers like:
(1) offering generous subsistence daily allowance and travel allowances
(2) booking good accommodation in the five star hotel
(3) building within some excursion trips. How about an overnight stay at a resort hotel with cocktail dinner? 

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