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People often ask me: "You could live anywhere in the world, why have you decided to invest in Nepal?" Actually, I have a very selfish reason for doing so. It is in my self-interest that my country becomes prosperous.
Because of globalisation, countries are vying to attract the best, brightest, richest investors with offers of citizenship. But whichever citizenship you finally decide to take up, deep down, your features, complexion, behaviour and culture still keep you a Nepali.
Even a Nepali with American citizenship remains a Nepali. If you answer "I am an American" to anyone, the next question is invariably: "But where are you from originally?" Even to Nepalis born in America, the question is: "Where did your parents come from?"
And the way you are treated will depend on your ancestry, on where your family originally came from. Which is why when we meet an Afghan, we see that person through the prism of that country's tragic conflict. In other words, you can change your citizenship but you can't change who you are.
Just because I become an American, I can't stake my claim to that country's success. Until my country of origin becomes more prosperous, neither I, nor my children and their children can hold their heads high. Today, you may be a professor, a successful businessman, a labourer, but the Nepal tag comes with a slight stain. All because of the state of the motherland.
If Nepal were on the path to progress and prosperity, we wouldn't be so tempted to seek our fortunes elsewhere. And even if we became citizens of another country our origins would get more respect. This is why I am investing in Nepal, I want to be proud of my homeland.
Nepal can be put on a path of rapid growth and development within 10-12 years. It is not so difficult. Just look at where Russia was in 1990 after the Soviet collapse. If you were Russian in those days you were automatically associated with the mafia. Russians suffered because of what Russia had become. But all it took was a strong leader to set things right within a few years.
Nepal is a compact country, it is easy to get results. You don't need oil, gas or minerals to be developed. If we were as aggressive about development as we are about politics, and adapted culturally to changes, we would be far ahead. Many Nepalis who used to say Nepal is finished, it's too corrupt, there is no security, are now contributing to Nepal's development. You don't need a whole lot of money to do it, your heart has to be in the right place, and you have to invest where it makes a big difference.
At meetings of overseas Nepalis, there used to be a debate about whether we should speak in Nepali or English. I always pushed for Nepali: it is our link language. My mother tongue is Maithili, but without Nepali I can't speak to my compatriots. You may be able to explain Nepali culture to a foreigner in English, but unless you speak your language you won't understand your culture. The Nepali language is the window to Nepali culture.
I don't think any ethnic group will be better off by fragmenting Nepal. Ethnic groups all have their own unique culture and heritage and these should be preserved but not at the cost of a prosperous, united Nepal.
Upendra Mahato is Chairman of the NRN International Coordination Committee. This is a translated excerpt from an opinion published in Himal Khabarpatrika, 14-28 April.
