New definition of "developing countries"

It took practically three decades plus to understand as to why political scientists have coined the word "developing countries" to the countries like Nepal. Now I can conclude that the political scientists who have coined this word were simply great and visionary. In fact such luminaries should have been duly honored by the concerned authorities in the developing countries for their brilliant definition of this word. Kudos to those men of letters for having invented this meaningful word which explains everything at once.

Now what I have understood from the definition of the "developing countries" is that in the countries that fall under this category wish to develop from whatever they have at a particular time. An innate desire to develop could be found in the leaders of these countries. In the process they could be found running fast, acting fast and talking fast. In so doing they exhibit to their voters that they possess all the required talents to develop the country.

Another feature seen in the leaders of these countries is that at the beginning of their career, they appear lean and thin. However, as time passes by they "develop" quite rapidly and this development could be noticed in the "development" of their private properties. That the leaders have "developed" for themselves could also be seen in their faces which now "glow" to the utter dismay and surprise of their compatriots in the footpath until recently.

This personal "development" later takes care of kith and kins- preferably from his or her own family. Special attention is given to daughter first, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, half-brother. This follows daughter-in-laws, great grand daughter-in-laws and the list goes long. Later the development process becomes serious for the development of distant relatives and then of the stooges and hangers-on.

While the leader remains busy in the development of his or her "men", the nation starts developing in many areas such as for example, development in corruption; development in unemployment; development in the absence of law and order situation; development in ethnic conflicts; development in smuggling in an around the borders plus at the TIA; development in nepotism, racism, communal disharmony; hatred among various political parties; terrorism; theft and dacoity and what not what not.

The establishment takes stock of the overall development process and airs for the public consumption that every thing regarding the development was running smoothly and that too most democratically. The people are given to understand that even if the nation were not developing, however, the individuals manning the system were developing quite satisfactorily.

While the process of development in the developing countries goes on as mentioned above, the nation if forced to witness "development" in the scandals of the sorts of Dhamija and the Lauda Air deals. Such deals in the developing countries are made to develop a party or for that matter a particular leader. Such developments are developed to let the people watch the various stages of development through which a developing country undergoes and attains the height of highly developed countries. Political scientists must learn such processes and make their definition more realistic in order the students could understand it more easily and could later use it much the same way as their seniors practiced, more specifically speaking in Nepal. This has been suggested to give continuity to the definition of the developing countries a I have understood.

Developing countries are really a different phenomenon. My past experience forces me to conclude that these countries in essence wish to develop their leaders first. Perhaps this could be due to the fact that the leaders prefer to develop first which the countries in question apparently have understood. It is some thing like "Ladies First" at receptions or for that matter at the dinners thrown by diplomats. The idea behind developing people's first appears to be a serene one. In fact it is the people who constitute the nation. So he who constitutes the nation must be duly honored. Nepal, my own country, has never lagged behind in adhering to such ideals and has been doing so since 1950 that so happily continues till to date. Nepalese people living abroad must congratulate their leaders for having given continuity to this sort of development. There is nothing to panic. To cut the topic short, it is the people who should develop first. After two centuries the turn of the nation would automatically come. So what is the harm in waiting for such a "short period". After all the task of building a nation is not a joke. Let it take time. Recall that Rome was not built in a day. Let us all pleasingly wait for the development of the nation after all the leaders develop themselves and their near and distant relatives. If they develop, it is the Nepali families that have in essence developed. There should be continuity in development immaterial of the fact who is developing: the leaders and their relatives or the nation?

If nation too were a leader like the ones what we have today perhaps would have shouted for developing herself. But alas! It is some thing different and hence no hurry in developing itself. Thanks the Almighty that the nation can not speak or else would have called for a Nepal Bundh much the same way our leaders at times go for it.

It is good to be in the category of the developing countries. Being in this category force the donors to come to our doorsteps and allow us to manipulate the funds meant for some of the projects sanctioned for us. If we were a developed state, the donors would have not come here.

If I were in the government, I would have suggested our beloved constitutional monarch to offer his seal on a bill that guarantees this country to remain as a developing country till the end of history and civilization. That's all.

Headline | National | 5 Question  | Editorial | International | Past |