By Narayan Prasad Mishra
We assume that people have happy lives in a country where there is political stability, a system of justice and equality with an independent judiciary in practice, a good climate, a clean and well-organized environment, no pollution, no crime or corruption, safety, no unemployment issues, good salaries and earnings, and access to good and affordable education, healthcare, water, electricity, roads, shopping, and entertainment centers. At the same time, they also prefer a country free from discrimination based on nationality, religion, caste, gender, or social status, as well as from nepotism and favoritism.
Some countries are developed and prosperous, offering high living standards, advanced infrastructure, and abundant resources. At the same time, many poor and underdeveloped countries struggle with low standards of living and even basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, water, and electricity. Similarly, many countries suffer from political instability, crime, corruption, irregularities, mismanagement, unemployment, injustice, suppression, and oppression.
Human beings always strive for a good life and living, and they search for better opportunities by different means. In this context, they try to move to places where they believe they can fulfill their wishes. For the same reasons, people move from villages to cities within their own country. Sometimes, they even migrate to other countries, leaving behind their families, friends, culture, and traditions. This is called immigration.
People migrate for various reasons, broadly classified as push and pull factors. Push factors force people to leave their countries due to conflicts, persecution, natural disasters, or economic hardships. Great War-torn regions like Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan have seen millions flee for safety. We also witnessed that situation during the Maoist insurgency. Political repression in countries like Venezuela and Myanmar has also driven large-scale migration. Similarly, climate change is making certain areas uninhabitable, forcing people to seek refuge elsewhere. Nepal, too, has hosted Tibetan and Bhutanese refugees due to such factors.
Pull factors, on the other hand, attract immigrants to new countries. These include better job opportunities, higher living standards, political stability, and access to education and healthcare. The United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia are among the most preferred destinations for immigrants due to their strong economies and relative political stability.
We have a beautiful country with breathtaking natural scenery, snowy peaks, mountains, and ancient heritage sites and monuments. Our climate is excellent compared to many other countries. However, Nepal has struggled with economic instability, political unrest, and limited job opportunities. A weak industrial base and a high unemployment rate have led to large-scale emigration.
Political instability has also fueled migration. Nepal has experienced years of political turmoil, from the Maoist insurgency (1996–2006) to frequent government changes and ineffective governance. This instability has weakened economic growth and public services, prompting many Nepalese, especially the youth, to seek opportunities abroad.
Over the past several decades, millions of Nepalese have left their homeland in search of better livelihoods, education, and security. Our people migrate due to both push and pull factors. The push factors include political instability, mismanagement, economic hardships, unemployment, nepotism, and favoritism. Since Nepal transitioned to a multi-party democracy and republic, ruling parties have monopolized power, treating independent citizens as outsiders. The pull factors include good education, quality healthcare, a better environment, job opportunities, higher living standards, and political stability.
However, most Nepalese emigrate primarily due to push factors. The main reason for Nepalese migration is economic hardship and unemployment. They go to any country where they can find jobs. As a result, more Nepalese work in Middle Eastern countries such as Dubai (UAE), Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, as well as in Malaysia and South Korea, than in the USA, Australia, or European nations.
Nepalese immigrants often face significant challenges in their host countries. For unskilled laborers, harsh working conditions, low wages, and lack of legal protection are common, especially in Gulf countries and Malaysia. Many migrant workers suffer exploitation by recruitment agencies and employers, leading to wage theft, abuse, and even deaths in foreign lands.
However, emigration also poses challenges for Nepal, affecting its economy, social structure, and long-term development.
The large-scale emigration of Nepalese has both positive and negative effects on the country. One of the most significant benefits is remittances. Nepalese working abroad send billions of dollars back home each year, contributing nearly a quarter of Nepal’s GDP. These remittances help families afford education, healthcare, and better living standards. They also support Nepal’s economy by boosting consumption and investment.
However, heavy reliance on remittances has drawbacks. Nepal’s economy remains dependent on foreign employment rather than domestic job creation. The migration of young, skilled workers has led to a “brain drain,” weakening Nepal’s workforce and slowing national development. Additionally, the social impact of migration is profound—many families are separated for years, affecting children’s upbringing and family stability.
For people with pure hearts, broad minds, and a loving nature, there is no difference between human beings of any nationality—Asian, European, American, African, or others. There is no difference between them in terms of whether people are white, black, or brown or what their caste, creed, religion, complexion, or nationality is. All human beings are the same when one has the right mindset, as expressed in the following Sanskrit shloka:
“अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्।”
This translates to: “He who thinks ‘this is mine’ and ‘this is not mine’ is small-minded; for the noble-minded, the whole world is a family.”
However, in reality, we find very few people with such minds and hearts, whether in society, in a country, or globally. Even in countries where the constitution and laws prohibit discrimination, we still see unbearable prejudices based on race and faith.
The USA itself is a country of immigrants with a history of about three centuries. Predominantly, white and black people have been living in the USA since its inception. White Americans are mostly of European descent, while black Americans are largely descendants of African immigrants, many of whom were brought as enslaved people. Both groups have invested their blood and labor in building this country. The history of black Americans, as seen in the life of Martin Luther King Jr., reveals the deep oppression and mistreatment they endured.
Apart from whites and blacks, there are indigenous Native Americans, as well as immigrants from Guatemala, Mexico, China, India, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Nepal, and other countries. However, whites remain the majority and often express feelings of superiority. White supremacy has become more evident, especially since Donald Trump’s presidency. Instances of racial insults and hatred directed at brown immigrants have surfaced repeatedly, with some white Americans telling them to “go back to their country.”
We have also witnessed clashes between indigenous and immigrant populations in different countries. The conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamil people in Sri Lanka is an unforgettable example. Similarly, Nepalese living in foreign lands for many centuries were expelled from Burma and Bhutan decades ago.
Even legal immigrants often face serious difficulties in their new countries. Language and cultural barriers create significant challenges. Many struggle to integrate due to differences in color, appearance, language, customs, and social norms, leading to isolation and discrimination. In some countries, anti-immigrant sentiments fuel xenophobia, hate crimes, and restrictive policies. In such situations, we can think about how illegal immigrants are bound to suffer in other alien countries. They are the subjects to be punished in any country. Recently, under President Trump’s administration, the U.S. deported 104 illegal Indian immigrants to Amritsar, India, on an Air Force C-17 military plane, with their hands and legs chained. It is concerning that many from Nepal and India choose illegal migration despite the financial and personal risks involved.
I cannot even imagine it. I heard from one of the deported Indian immigrants on YouTube that he witnessed a Nepali immigrant shot dead because of his inability to pay lacs of rupees to the mafia agent for faliicitating immigration. According to the news report, the USA has deported 103 illegal Nepalese immigrants to Nepal in the last four years. They still have 1365 illegal Nepalese immigrant on their list for deportation.
Even within their own country, some people have sometimes faced discrimination based on their appearance. We sometimes hear about it. Madhecshi people face this problem in the Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, other Pahadi (mountain people) face a similar problem in Madhes. The caste system, though legally abolished, is still practiced, with some people being denied entry into temples, access to water sources, or rental housing due to their caste. Given these realities, true equality is difficult to achieve anywhere. Immigration or emigration is always a risk and challenge.
Ultimately, neither immigration nor emigration should be seen as an ideal long-term solution for any nation. Instead, we must focus on developing our own country despite the challenges posed by push and pull factors. Investing in education, infrastructure, and industry is crucial to creating jobs and encouraging skilled workers to stay. Most importantly, we must eliminate nepotism, favoritism, discrimination, corruption, injustice, mismanagement, and irregularities in governance. By doing so, Nepal can harness the strength of its global diaspora while ensuring a brighter future for those who remain.
However, when I look at the flawed political system, the constitution introduced in the country, and the self-serving political parties, their leaders, and their puppet followers, I doubt we can achieve our aspirations or have a responsible government in the near future.
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