Dear Surabhi Ji,

I really appreciate your feelings to Nepal, But I wanna to write comment that you have not been involved the real senario of Nepali life, status, the direct way to touch-"Poverty". As you know, among the nepali student/ese dream to have America due to their status, and want to see changes.

You don't need anything for your life, I recon. If not so, your first prority to stay and work USA, Earning money for your family, your future would be your dream. I give a example;

Suppose you've a sister and sick mother, Father is a farmer, thousand is big dream to your family. Your education loan are remain to be returned. Doctor says million is the expense of caring your mother, sister need admission for school. in that case,

Put yourself in that family.  and if solution found, mail me. Yeh.... really hard life are there in Nepali society. I can't express to these words, you need to born in poor family. bye.

as long as the rich and western education come back and work in the 'infamous' INGOs, there will be no development in Nepal. Please use your education to create something meaningful and sustainable and one where the locals actually benefit from.

Working in an INGO should be a job after retirement not an internship.....

Nepali Dream:  I would like to appreciate on your power of positive thinking that will surely guide you to the right direction.  I agree that a person can make a difference, at the sametime there is a lot to do to make it  happen, "Persists and you will succeed."

I think you have made a right decision. I would love to read your posted article on Nepalnews.com soon taking a step ahead to make a difference in people lives. Congratulations!!!

Returning back to Nepal is a great thing. But again, for some people, they are asked, 'lau, why are you back for good? Did you not get any jobs? Dukha cha? Garoo bho?" Next thing you know, a rumor is spreading around, speculating on your early return to the motherland. You turn into a broken record, explaining that you genuinely had no desire living abroad. You are compared to the person two blocks away, who lives in Australia, who is adding two more floors to his house, while, you are starting out from scratch again. Who wants to listen to this kind of negativity anyway? This brings grief. Why do people think like that? But to all of you who returned home, shunned out the negativity, and did and are doing what you came back home for, Jaya Hos!

All the best Ms Rajbhandari. Nepal really needs young people like you-positive,motivated,knowledgable and of course,daring.

Who dares wins.

@ kiran and raj kumar!!!!!!! i think u a guys are right!!!!

In majority of the comments above I sense nothing but personal anger against the last name this sweet lil gal carries...Its not sin to be part of the "have"group...they work equally hard and more than anything they create jobs for the "lesser have"...this article in no ways communicate the pompousness of a girl from "have" demographic....

The article seems like more of a blog of a young girl who is trying to figure out her identity...So what she worked for iNGO in her summer vacation...what's wrong with that...its better than smoking joints, partying with boys in inappropriate skanky clothes...the young kids like her are trying to learn and trying to understand the inconvenient truth of being Nepali...obviously her life will be more easy than a girl from her own age who is working in kuwait for a mere 15,000 per month or a gal sold in a brother in mumbai...but if priviledge kids too are now thinking beyond gucci and prada..they should be heard...and be directed for something positive...

Here is my 2 cents for her...

Surabhi..u are fortunate...you have a choice...you didn't have to flip big mac during your summer vacation like me..you get to come home and  explore work with iNGO...its good that you are at least thinking...i know many gals your age in k-town from priviledge family..thinking only about the LV bags and the Chanel shades...use the time you get to come here to understand NEPAL..Nepal is not the life you see in K-town..Nepal is beyond K-town...understand that Nepal..not to find direction for your post graduate academic destination but to fulfill ur own desire to solidify your identity...first find out what you love to do...regardless of you choose to live here or not..know that you WILL make a difference...

YOU made the decision to come out and publicly share your agenda...so be brave to handle comments or the guilt trips or even the frustrations ppl will throw you through ....take it as a learning opportunity and be true to yourself...use your privilege wisely be it working for iNGO or Private sector and trust me doing so WILL make a difference...

Surabhi,

I salute to your thinking but i am not agree at all with you. your vision is only the beauty of newspaper pagr but not in reality. What can you do after returning to Nepal. your knowledge, your education wouldn't work here. You need to the support or poltical parties for small position too even a clark. your words seems only socalled nationalism. by the way article sounds good and funny both.

There are some things to be familiar to understand this article

First, concept of the USA and its lifestyle and, need to know what Nepal is.

Two different paradigms could not be fit on same contest. I have been living in the USA for almost 6 years, but I could not match certain things each other. Before anyone writes about something need to keep in mind various things clearly. What she tried to present on her article was not wrong. The opinion of her on this article is enough to inspire for those students who disappears in the so called land of opportunity (but not now).

To know about Nepal she needs to know what four corners of Nepal, simply Humal to Jhapa and Taplejung to Kanchanpur. It is difficult to see change desperately although all foreign migrated people return to Nepal.

I believe that if someone could not survive in one place, he or she needs to find new places to foster, but how this situation work on diverse people's mind set; it depends upon them.

What people have in their mind about US and their preconceived thoughts could not be assumed by thinking simply about the USA's media broadcastings. Widely, California's Mexican gangs to Illinois Ghettos and DC's suburb's (PG County) to elderly people's wedding on Florida. How people view about US should be changed.

I can tell how pity the undergrad Nepalese students live. It may not be applied for her but majority students have hard time to study in the USA. Because of those situations Nepalese students barely think about going back to Nepal.

Surabhi,

Welcome to the grim reality of Nepal! It is full of detractors, nay sayers and skeptics. A glimpse of the comments on your article provides sufficient proof of the negativism that drowns this pathetic country.

You are a brave young girl (my guess is that you are around 19 years old) who has written an inspiring piece. When you return, you will be confronted by the likes of people who are tearing at you and your article (but mainly at you and your background). If it is not your background, it will be your ethnicity or gender or looks or heaven-knows-what, which they will attack and attack viciously. You will need all the courage (and a thick hide) to rise above these losers and do the very best you can.  This country will be blessed to have young people like you return.

I have forwarded your article to my daughters who, having graduated, are working in North America. While I do not expect them to return home anytime soon, I do want them to know of a girl, probably still in her teens, whose writing I have found inspirational. Thanks Surabhi!

This type of flame of patriotism could make some patrakaars' inferior complexity get disappear for sometimes........, a few jingoists recite those national anthems created during panchayat regime proudly....., satisfy those fellow nepalis who get offended with the presence of NRNs skills and critical sense as they themselves are poor in that aspect BUT knowing what they(the majority of returners) will get once they are in land of extreme corruption, rising impunity and where culture of patronage is deeply rooted, would probably say:  SURABHI I wish you could achieve your dream without being a patriotic capon.

There is a presentation on YouTube dated Dec 29th, 2007 in which Mahabir Pun describes the genesis of his efforts to connect Nepal's high altitude villages. He says,

" [in 1992] I helped to start a high school in my village� From 1992 to almost 1999, I had to come down to Pokhara to check my email once a month. I had to walk about five or six hours down, take a bus, go to the town, check my email, and go back to the village. I did [this] for seven [to] eight years�Finally, I got tired and wanted to find ways to bring [the] internet to the village. "

Did "nepaliness" or "nepalipan" figure in Pun's decision to bring the internet to his village?  The way I figure it, Pun's problem was personal and explicit and his solution was realistic. It was the reality of his own personal state and his community rather than the abstract notion of "nepaliness" that drove Pun to act. 

Great read, Surabhi. This is an article that should really please all those that wish and work for the development of this country. Yet, as much optimism as this article exudes, the negativity in some of the comments is so far reaching, it is almost laughable. The debate to be had is about how to encourage returnees and the best ways for them to be successful here and make a difference- not about the personal merits or the social status of that person. How is the desire of a young and motivated woman who wants to return to do some good for her country anything but positive and deserving of encouragement? This is a purely PERSONAL perspective on an important matter for our country. She isn't imposing this on anyone (read: "The choice of returning is individual") nor is she claiming to be Mother Teresa. Anyone that sees it as anything else is prying for negativity and offense where there is none- simple as that. As the saying goes "Cynicism is the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence."

On the other hand, it is encouraging to read all the valuable insights from people that have clearly given the issue thought. Surabhi, whatever you decide to do, I am sure you will have a positive impact. Seek advice but follow what you know is the best way to make a difference.

I am writing this ...but no offense.  

It is easier said than done!!

I got back 8 yrs ago with a very positive vision but working here ...for last 7 yrs..i am thinking and planning to migrate now. No doubt, Nepal is a beautiful country and people, esp *rural* inhabitants are innocent, kind and deprived but..those who drive sedan in Kathamndu are someone we need to think about. I have special name for them: SEDAN DWELLERS!!

I have just one question for Surabhi: what are your thought on recent development banks bankruptcy and their CEOs motive? Have you seen ordinary folks queuing for hrs and hrs to get their own deposits back? Is this new Nepal we are creating? And, ha..ha majority of the CEOs of these banks are foreign graduated. For example: Vibhor Bank's CEO.

Do we deserve this from those who drive SEDAN? Truth is always bitter, but it prevails...sooner or later?.

If this is the reality of the city dwellers think of those Karnalies who are not having enough food to eat.

Having said this, I am still optimistic because I believe in "CHANGE DO HAPPEN". No worries our grand grand daughters and son will experience the change. That's the way NGO/INGOs talk about sustainability here..

My Request to the writer: Do have a close look at reality and think twice before venturing..Good lick and Jay Nepal!!

This article has really touched a nerve among its readers and perhaps a reflection of what transpires in the mind and heart of the nation, whether rich or poor. Obviously, it stings the poor more than the former. As a foreigner who have visited Nepal and fell in love with the people, I am also pressed in my mind how I can be a contributor in a grassroots way to the people with whom I have crossed roads with.

As Surabhi astutely notes, "There is a niche for anyone and everyone in the social, political and economic milieu around us. There is so much to be done, but not enough of the right people to do it. Returning, one can become a pioneer, making a big difference to society and to oneself",  we have to find that niche for ourselves individually, a contributing niche that is, whether you are out of the country providing financial assistance to your family in Nepal, or you are a returning Nepali to be with people or community you care.  And if I may partially tweak Surabhi's quote above, making a "significant" (not big, for good things can come in small packages as the saying goes) is what we have to hope to accomplish.

That's where I am, though a foreigner, hoping to be - to significantly contribute to the Nepali people whom I have build bridges with. And hopefully it shall be to the readers of Surabhi's article and all the ensuing comments herewith.

Well it is always easier said than done; I finished my studies in the US and work here because not only do I have to look after myself but also take care of the family back home. Some of my friends- Shahs or Ranas Shumsher Thapas or Dixits or Pandeys could afford to go back home and rely on family inheritance, or become a CEO in family owned businesses; or my friends the Shresthas or Vaidyas or Rajbhandaris or Amatyas could get top level positions in INGOs through nepotism and favoritism; or sons and daughters of politicians like the Nepals or Koiralas or Joshis or  Adhikaris Bhattarais or Dahals land lucrative multinational deals. Would I be a better option than any one of those in Nepal if only my education, my skills were considered?- of course yes. But would I be able to get any of those opportunities- of course not!!

I could not afford the partying that they all could during the college years; I had a scholarship that barely covered my expenses. Did I get to go home frequently like they did? Hell no-I had to work during long summer days so that I could save some $$, alleviate financial burden that fell on my father, pay for my brother's education back home. I come from a very simple Brahmin family (by the way,  not all Brahmins are rich, corrupt, greedy or cunning, just as not all the people from the casts I mentioned above fall within the stereotypes) and although am the only daughter, I have made up my mind that I will not get married until my two brothers complete their education, and my future husband will have to agree that just as he will want to support his family, we will have to continue to do so with mine as well. Do I think that if I did not have to worry about all these issues and just could devote my time for myself only, I would have achieved a better success. Maybe. But I could have turned out as a brat, asking for money wired to my bank account every month just like some of my friends did, party often, cram during exam times and barely pass, go back to Nepal as a US graduate and land amazing opportunities. That would be more appealing than working so hard here to climb up the corporate ladder. Having interned for a reputed organization even back home would have helped me land a better job, but unfortunately did not have any connection back home, so had to intern anywhere the professor recommended me.

Yes, the climate might have changed back home, and there might be more opportunities, but the most lucrative ones still go to those with better networking,connections, relations etc.  And with so many leaders from so many parties whose children might be vying for the same jobs, the chances are very slim for me. So thank you for the insight- but my family is better off if I remain here than return back home. At least I can afford a decent living for myself and save some to send back home.

Another point I forgot to mention is-- money attracts money. Everyone involved in International Business/Economics know that the next big money market is Asia. Even savyy Americans are shifting to Asia for better global positioning for their children; they believe that immersing their young children in Asian culture will help them become better prepared for the business world of the future. As the livelihood of Asian populations are improving compared to decades ago, Asia will be a very big consumer market. And although we lag behind most Asian countries, we are making much progress in the private arena. So the people with money in our country have also already become aware of this and thus the return of the rich kids back home as much money is to be made in Nepal than in US for them. One good thing to come out of it is that a lot of labor jobs will be available.

And as always it is people like us who have to struggle everywhere- because of the sluggish economy in US, it is hard to switch jobs or demand higher wages. Whereas the rich can go back and multiply their wealth exponentially, we are living in uncertainty, always worrying whether the next person to be let go is you; whether each unscheduled meeting it to announce the closing of your department, the shrinking of your staff or the outsourcing of the company.

I am in no way jealous of the rich; I believe in capitalism. I do not think that wealth should be distributed; I believe that people should be acknowledged for their skills, talents and intelligence.We need rich people to create jobs for the masses;I would rather see a rich businessman's son/daughter become an educated person, continue in their family business and create more jobs than to become brats or crackheads. But the article made me slightly resentful-it is easier to feel "holier than thou" when you have resources. And going back to your own country, when you do not have to worry about your daily expenses and have opportunities lined up for you should not be considered as "Nepali dream".

Mr Rimal,

I do not have anything against the privileged, the more going back and create businesses and jobs; but what  I do not understand why a Nepali, most likely Nepali citizen only ( no GC or US citizenship) going back to her own home, and that too to a privileged life is being self-labeled as following a "Nepali dream".  Someone returning home after study and doing their thing need not be so advertized in a media of this calibre. I hope that one day she joins the ranks of Mr Anil Chitrakar, then she will receive a "wow" from me.

In my eyes, the guy from Parbat going to MIT is more applaudable than someone who went to a British school, then to American high school and  then to Wellesley. By the way, a lot of rich Chinese and Indian parents are sending their privileged kids to private high school in USA so that they will score better  at SAT and can get to the likes of Harvard and Yale on international scholarships allocated to their respective countries.  So Mr Rimal, if your daughters are in school, you might consider these options.

We little people have our intelligence in our favor, we might not get into the best schools because our English is not score perfect or we have not been coached for the entrance, but we will get ahead inl ife nonetheless. So no hard feelings sir! The more Nepalis achieve success, the better.!!!

Wow!!Wow!!Wow!!!

Do all yank nepalese bretheren hate each other,ey??.I thought it was just a simple article about a girl wanting to do something back in the Nepal.

Of course we are all financially driven to a degree but do you expect her to be a Mother Teresa... Get real guys..

Absolutely godsmacked to see the arguements..I stared reading it and lost track ..

lots of anger,resentment,bitterness from our Naya Nepal..

Think i will hold on to my re-immigration plans for a while..

Jay Nepal!!

Surabhi,

You touched my heart! All the best to you.

:) the comments are interesting... ranges from all the different angles, i must say... well if u read the comments the topic itself becomes vague...

 everyone will have their own say n they will make sense in their own way.. everyone has their own problems and they will no doubt talk from their own prespectives one way or the other... u are not a supreme being who can fulfull everyones satisfaction... people should realise u are just a lady who wants to do good... simples :)  so its as simple as this... u are meant to be admired and i agree with Lauren Walsh (26)...

my best wishes are always with u and without a shadow of a doubt, Nepal will be very happy and proud to have u here...