It's Time for Change: A Plea to Nepali Leaders
As I engage with many entrepreneurs across industries in the country today, I keep hearing the word, ‘survival’, often said with a crease of worry on their forehead. They question: how long do you think it will last. This makes me think about how hard it probably is for them. Their livelihoods and career goals in crisis. And then I look at the government; people we chose to represent and lead us especially through times like this. It frustrates me. Because the parliament and authorities are only focused on unveiling scandal after scandal. Now there is no shame in being black listed, no shame in going to jail, no shame in having your name headlined in the news for corruption, bribery and misuse of authority. In fact, it is joked that if you have not achieved this feat, you are probably not important. I feel for my entrepreneur friends, continually challenging the status quo of uncertainty to run their business.
There is no set rulebook for survival, every individual, every business is different. Staying competitive during hard times means being able to look over the horizon and decide what are the things that you must and can do to ensure you tide over the low periods. Sometimes, these decisions can be hard. Sometimes, it may even call for you to change course completely. You have to be able to do what is required in the face of self-doubt and sacrifice. But in our case, the situation is harder because we do not have enough people in the position of authority paying enough attention to finding solutions that work.
Scores of young people are leaving the country looking for work, and more than that, looking to find a home that allows them a quality of life they deserve for the hard work they are willing to do. The trend has shifted and now, even mid-career professionals are seeking opportunities abroad. Remittance may sound great but does it make the economy stronger? Making ourselves believe that the people who leave today will be back tomorrow with skills and innovations is just a false sense of assurance, there are those who will stay on and acquire permanent resident status and nationality. More couples are having children outside the country. What does all this indicate? Why are we pretending otherwise? Soon people will leave not out of compulsion but out of choice.
The government may, may not wake up. But it is in each person’s interest to equip ourselves with a mindset built on resilience, focus and the ability to adapt. Uncertain times will come and go, know that you only have a finite amount of time to live your life, so make intentional decisions that are meaningful and enabling, in business, career and in life.
