Nepal’s Biggest Problems Harming Society

I struggled to come up with a title for this blog। What I view as a problem isn’t necessarily what others view as a problem. And the same, what I think is harming society, may simply be just an annoyance to me. So even though I titled this as I did, know that it’s my own opinion of what is hindering Nepal from becoming a better country.

1) Trash

a. Trash is gathered along the roads wherever people feel like throwing it. “Littering” isn’t even known here because it is completely acceptable to just throw your trash wherever you feel. People come through with shovels scooping it up into trucks. This is after the poor go through every single piece taking what they want.

b. Why is it a problem? Trash…

i. Causes sickness epidemics when it’s laid around too long.

ii. Causes traffic jams because it’s piled too far into the streets.

iii. Is very unsanitary when it just sits where we walk.

iv. Dirties the water.

v. Smells horrible. Really horrible.

vi. Is grinded into the road when it becomes soggy from the rain।

2) Water

a. Despite being in the Himalayas, water is scarce, particularly during the dry season (Sept-May). Water is needed in many areas of basic living. So when it is limited, life becomes a bit more difficult.

b. Why is it a problem? Water…

i. Is needed to move sewage. Most urine and feces just sit in squatters/toilets because it takes to much water to wash it down.

ii. Is needed to clean ourselves, kill germs, and live sanitarily.

iii. Is needed to wash clothes.

iv. Is needed to stay hydrated.

v. Is needed for electricity।

3) Electricity

a. During monsoon season when it rains all the time, there is about 2 hours of no electricity every day. During dry season when it doesn’t rain for 6 months, there is about 14 hours of no electricity every day. It may be up to 22 hours of no electricity at the peak of the dry season. Water is needed to power the electricity, and since water is scarce here, so is electricity.

b. Why is it a problem? Electricity…

i. Has become a necessity for modern society to function.

ii. Is needed to print important documents, use powerpoints/overheads, and sound systems in big companies, organizations, schools, and churches.

iii. Is needed to charge electric items, such as an inverter for lights!

iv. Is needed to see well to do homework and lesson planning.

v. Is needed to do research on internet for school/teacher projects.

vi. Is needed to keep refrigerated food cold.

vii. Controls when to eat and what is cooked.

viii. Controls amount of communication with those far from you (like all of you!).

c. There is a positive to the limited electricity though। It encourages people to find fun outside of electronics that we’ve become dependent on. I’ve had a lot fun playing in-the-dark games with my host siblings, reading books by candlelight, and being creative in how to spend time without electricity. It stirs creativity in people when we no longer can rely on electrical entertainment.

4) Government

a. About 10 years ago, the king of Nepal was massacred which soon brought on a new government. At the same time, the Maoists entered Nepal and started ruling over many people, schools, national parks, government officials, etc. The government is now still developing and figuring out how to work together.

b. Why is it a problem? The government…

i. Allows development. When there is no gvt, everything is at a halt.

ii. Favors the rich and their kin, and therefore are unfair to all others in the country.

iii. Took way too long to decide on a leader. Just recently, after 7 months of many elections, they finally were able to agree on a prime minister.

iv. Uses lots of bribery. The corrupt officials demand money for themselves and will only let you out of trouble (whether it is your fault or not) if you pay them a ridiculous amount of money.

v. Don’t get paid enough. I once heard the police get paid 400 rs/month. That’s about $5 for one entire month. Maybe this is one of the reasons they use bribery…

vi. Lacks organization and proper care. There are terrible landslides and flooding in many villages that are left to fend for themselves.

vii. Rarely enforces laws। This results in kidnappings, ransoms, murders, and road accidents.

5) Money

a. The country is primarily Hindu, which emphasizes the caste system, which places a high importance on money. People’s lives are then ruled by making as much money as they can and forget about caring for the people around them and simple kindness to strangers. All of a sudden, life is about how much I can get from others.

b. Why is it a problem? When money…

i. Becomes the focus of a person’s life, friendships are built on money and people are used for their money.

ii. Rules the caste system, a person is stuck in whatever caste they were born into. No matter how intelligent they are, it is so difficult for them to get certain jobs because of their last name. Instead they are stuck selling apples, driving a rickshaw, or begging on the streets for the rest of their life.

iii. Is needed, a person may kidnap someone for a ransom.

iv. Is borrowed and not paid back in a friendship, one friend may end up killing the other.

v. Becomes the focus of a marriage, the partners are dishonest to one another. They will lie about how much money they have so they can go spend it on things they want.

vi. Is the reason a couple is married (caste system and arranged marriages), the partners are unfaithful and disloyal to the other, often resulting in affairs with someone who they “love”.

vii. Is brought in, families will spend it on food and luxuries (short-term) rather than saving any of it (long-term).

viii. Is important, simple kindness and helpfulness is forgotten। As a foreigner, I often feel like people look at me like a dollar sign $. If someone offers to point me in the right direction, they often want paid for the help.

6) Infrastructure

a. When a country is getting started, they don’t think about the best route and width of roads. As it develops, the roads just become a confused mess.

b. Why is it a problem? Bad infrastructure…

i. Creates a lot of traffic jams. The roads were not initially made to hold lots of vehicles, so they are too narrow and structured badly for the new generation’s interest in vehicles.

ii. Makes it hard to travel. Whether traveling for tourism or to deliver potatoes, the roads through the mountains are just horrible. Granted, it is difficult to build good roads in a 3^rd world mountainous country. Because of this though, there are so many bus and motorbike accidents.

iii. Lacks rules, regulations, directions, and traffic lights। Sometimes traffic is directed by policeman, but often it is a free-for-all, even in the country’s capital city. Needless to say, my once confident bike-riding has been challenged here.

So here are my thoughts on the biggest negative issues in Nepal. Although this may seem pessimistic, I have actually come to really enjoy this country. Maybe it’s because I know after a year I won’t have to tolerate many of these things? Or maybe it’s because despite the negative things, there are plenty of positive things to make up for it. All countries have developed differently and are at different stages. Nepal may be quite low compared to others, but that is simply one area of the culture. I still find it to be a beautiful country in many ways.

My life is going very well. I’m truly enjoying my time here right now, and I’m so grateful to say that. I thank all of you for your support and prayers. I look forward to seeing you in 6 months!