+

Opinion makers in the Kathmandu Press: October 24, 2017

A host of political, economic and social issues have been highlighted by opinion makers and editors in the Kathmandu press today. Among them, articles related to contemporary political situation in the wake of the formation of leftist alliance and preparations for upcoming provincial and federal parliamentary elections have been most prioritised.

Brain drain and human nature

Dr Subhash Pokharel, who was educated in the United States, has written an article in Nagarik daily arguing that the tendency of many Nepali youth to go abroad for higher education and ultimately settle there, popularly called ‘brain drain’, is not a problem as it is associated with the human nature; and hence extends suggestions on how their knowledge and experiences can be used to meet interests of the country.

He says migrating from own place to other places in search of better opportunities is a global tendency and putting self at the centre is an innate human nature. Theories of science and economics have also supported the idea, he explains, adding, modern innovations and aggressive development in economics would not be possible without such tendency to seek more and more opportunities.

Therefore, Pokharel says that people who go and live abroad should not be taken in the negative light and their contribution to the global academic should not be compared with that of the scholars living in Nepal. “Those who live in the own country and serve the motherland have their own significance whereas those contributing to the modern science living abroad should not be underestimated,” he concludes, “There is no doubt that the cooperation between the scientists living in the country and abroad can significantly contribute to promote of sciences.”

Remittance-based economy and extravagance

In his article for Annapurna Post today, Badri Pokharel explains that celebrating festivals with extravagance causes harmful impacts in the national economy besides its effects on social and family life. Pokharel points out that consuming alcohol and meat products excessively, buying excessive clothes and jewellery in a short period of time are something that cause imbalance in the economy. He mentions that around 30 per cent of the national economy is covered by remittance currently, but most of the remittance is spent in unproductive transactions including foods, clothes and ornaments, cinema and fashion.

Meanwhile, Pokharel suggests that the use of remittance money should be controlled through banking channels and the political leadership should pay attention to it.

Dimensions of food security

Nirmal Bishwakarma in his article for Naya Patrika argues that the newly elected local governments should pay attention to ensure citizens’ right to food security as it has been listed as a fundamental right in the constitution. “The issue of food security, food right or food sovereignty can be a significant priority for recently elected local governments,” he begins his article, “Further, this can be more crucial for rural municipalities which are struggling against food insecurity and starvation.”

According to Bishwakarma, political parties had discussed the issue in their local level election manifesto considerably, suggesting now the time has come to implement their assurances.

“Local governments should formulate acts and policies on food rights based on policy guidance. Similarly, international paradigms of food security should also be considered,” he writes, suggesting that the laws and policies should include all dimensions of the process including production, supply, marketing and quality of the products.

React to this post

Conversation

New Old Popular