In the 19th century, my country Hungary was the breadbasket of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Very good soil and expertise went hand-in-hand with immense breatkhroughs in engineering. Agro revenues were funnelled into education: it has the largest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita of any country in the world, prompting Nature to famously declare that 'the 20th century was made in Budapest'. (The fact that 10 out of the 11 Hungarian Nobel laureates were Jewish and that they were forced to leave, is another story). The 20th century forced industrialisation, then Communist mass-production destroyed all that. Hungary only became a poor copy, a failed economy.
Nepal has been hurtling towards 'development', which is often used synonymously with 'Western'. Actually most of Western society, as we can see from the way it treats nature and animals and the quagmire it is in today, is in dire need of a 'Nepali approach'.
To change something, first we have to understand what it is. That takes patience, a slow approach, a clean slate, not seeing what was, nor what should be, but what is. These are things that are sorely lacking in the approach of the educated towards their own countries. Understandably so, since my feelings towards my own country are also such a jumble.
And maybe that leap forward will mean just as much a leap backward. Like going back to age-old farming techniques coupled with modern eco-friendly appliances like solar drying chambers.
Most countries are doing that what Tom did running from the telephone pole felled by Jerry. He ran forwards, or backwards, but was always in the trajectory of the falling log. And blam, he got hit in the head. As a kid, I never understood why he couldn't just make a step sideways.
Difficulties can be blessings in disguise. Lack of industrialisation could mean pure produce, isolated valleys could become micro-greenhouses for unique species of rice, the Himalaya could serve as natural protection against all the chemical use of the plains. With simple processing, drying, jobs would be created for premium prices. Whoever said industry is the only way forward, and who ever believed it?
Along with the Amazon, the Himalaya are the world's number one biodiversity treasure trove for medicinal plants. It is great that now we can buy Parma ham at a deli in Babar Mahal, even though only half a percent of society can regularly afford to shop there. But what if one day a Newari deli opened, with just-as-high quality produce, for a fraction of the price?
Nepal should leap neither backwards, nor forwards. It should combine the two and leap sideways.
In Hungary today, there is a small revolution taking place: cottage industries are springing up and finding a great resonance with European tourists who have always known of the high quality paprika, wine, salami and fruit brandy the country has offered. These produce are also sold to discerning customers in the best food halls and delis
of Europe for decent prices. There is even a small Hungarian section at Harrods.
What if Nepal was brave enough once more, and said: this is what we are. Whenever I talk to Nepalis they ask me what I like here. And whatever I say, they say: but Nepal is a poor, dirty country, the politics is terrible. I agree with the last two. But looking at the people, nature, the cultural heritage of the Valley, the community forestry models, religious and ethnic tolerance, and looking into the eyes of Chiri Bhai (see alongside) my answer is: hell it ain't poor.
Balázs Szász is a Hungarian writer dividing his time between his home and Nepal.
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