By Narayan Prasad Mishra
I always feel if you are not a self-centered person and want to serve the community, country, or institution you belong to without any selfish motive, with honesty and dignity for the welfare of all, you will always be ready to accept others' reasonable suggestions and advice. You always will welcome criticisms. Not only that, you also will be a person who loves self-evaluation and tries to know your own mistakes and weaknesses. You evaluate yourself regarding your own activities, performances, your success or failure, weaknesses, mistakes, and faults for your betterment. I always think all honest, wise, and patriotic leaders of a country must possess these qualities. At the same time, I always feel if we had such a type of leader, our country would not take much time to progress, and Nepal would easily be equal to the standard of the other developed countries of Asia or Europe. At the same time, I feel that the parliament of a country should not be a place of destructive criticism, unproductive discussion, grumbling, and blaming each other. It should be a place of constructive, helpful, valuable discussion and rational criticism with praiseworthy suggestions and advice for the development and welfare of the people and country. Its discussion should not be just for discussion and entertainment. The valuable advice and suggestions presented to it by its members of the opposition or government side should be adopted without shame and hesitation by the government for implementation.
Unfortunately, we have not been lucky to have such leaders in the country. Almost all are for themselves and their gangs, groups, relatives, friends, near and dear. All are for making money and power. Almost all are hypocrites and deceptors. They are different from what they present themselves to the public. They preach honesty, but they are dishonest and love dishonesty. They are totally different from their speeches. They are like a Nepali Proverb - To see lice running on others' bodies but not to see buffaloes running in one's own body (Aruko Angko Jumra Dekhane, Afno Angko Bhaisee Nadekhne). Similarly, our parliament has become a place of discussion for discussion's sake, as if it is there only to show that we also have a parliament and democracy.
Our nation, rich in cultural heritage and natural resources, has long struggled with developmental challenges and political instability. Despite its vast potential, the country remains hindered by governance issues, corruption, and a lack of visionary leadership. To achieve meaningful progress, Nepal must undertake a process of self-evaluation at both the individual and institutional levels, reform its approach to development, and hold political parties accountable for their role in shaping the nation's future.
Self-evaluation is a critical process that allows individuals, institutions, and governments to assess their strengths and weaknesses. In the context of Nepal, this means reflecting on the failures and inefficiencies that have plagued governance and development for decades.
Citizens must recognize their role in nation-building. A culture of complacency, corruption, and short-term thinking has contributed to the country's stagnation. Instead of waiting for change, individuals must take responsibility—whether by rejecting corruption, demanding better governance, or actively participating in community development. Government bodies, bureaucracies, and businesses need to assess their performance. Inefficiency, corruption, and lack of transparency have hindered the country's growth. A systematic evaluation of political system, policies, and administrative structures can help identify weaknesses and implement necessary reforms.
We must analyze why it lags behind its neighbors, such as India and China or other countries, in economic growth and infrastructure development. By learning from successful models and understanding past mistakes, the country can devise strategies for sustainable progress. Despite its immense natural resources—hydropower potential, fertile land, and tourism attractions—Nepal remains one of the least developed countries in the region. Several factors can contribute to this stagnation: adopted a wrong constitution and political system, bad governance, corruption, mismanagement, inefficient administrative structure, lack of long-term planning, poor road networks, lack of reliable electricity, inadequate transportation systems, lack of modern scientific agriculture knowledge and method, lack of industrialization, lack of vocational training and entrepreneurship programs, etc.
We can study, analyze, evaluate, and reform for betterment with the high-level commission comprising well-known experts in different fields as U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower formed a Commission on National Goals to develop a broad outline of national objectives and programs for the next decades and longer in 1960 but not with the party puppets. One can realize how fruitful it would be if we could act accordingly by reading the following book on that commission and report.
Cover page of the Book
We produce thousands of graduates every year, but a lack of job opportunities forces many to seek employment abroad. The government must prioritize retaining talent and reducing brain drain. Rapid urbanization without proper planning has led to pollution and poor waste management. Sustainable development policies must be implemented to protect our environment while promoting economic growth.
Political parties play a crucial role in shaping the nation's future, but Nepal's history is filled with instability, power struggles, and governance failures. Since the establishment of democracy in 1951, Nepal has witnessed frequent government changes, political infighting, and a lack of long-term vision, favoritism and misuse of public funds have become standard practices. Instead of prioritizing national welfare, political leaders often focus on power retention and personal gain. Political parties frequently shift alliances, making it difficult to establish stable governance. Policy inconsistency and lack of long-term vision hinder development efforts. Election campaigns are filled with grand promises of economic growth, employment, and infrastructure development. However, most political parties fail to translate these promises into action, leading to public frustration. They influence law enforcement. Crime, corruption, and mismanagement continue because political leaders often interfere in the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to protect their allies.
Systemic reforms and political accountability are essential to ensuring Nepal's progress. Key steps include adopting a political system that aligns with our culture, traditions, history, and educational landscape, ensuring an independent judiciary, fostering a transparent, non-corrupt bureaucracy, and promoting effective law enforcement—all of which can help build public trust.
The younger generation must engage in politics with fresh ideas and ethical leadership to break the cycle of corruption, while citizens must actively hold leaders accountable for their actions. Additionally, reducing dependence on foreign aid, developing self-sufficient industries, promoting entrepreneurship, and investing in tourism can strengthen the economy.
We stand at a critical juncture where self-evaluation, development, and political reform are not progressing hand in hand. As a result, we find ourselves facing challenges once again, with mass protests erupting in the streets. It is imperative that we collectively prioritize national welfare over personal interests to ensure a stable, prosperous, and progressive Nepal. The path to a better future is not easy, but with commitment and collective effort, we can overcome these challenges and build a nation that future generations will be proud of.
I find that almost all the wrongdoings and discrepancies in our country—whether related to the political system, government performance, or the weaknesses of the ruling parties—are reflected in the presentations made by opposition leaders in parliament and the voices heard in street protests when we consider them collectively. If the parties in power truly love this country, they must evaluate themselves and take seriously the suggestions raised in parliament and on the streets.
It is well known that our constitution was formulated primarily to accommodate the wishes and demands of the Maoists—particularly regarding the republic, secularism, and the federal structure—rather than reflecting the broader will of the people. If the ruling parties genuinely desire peace, they must work to reform the weaknesses in the system and improve government performance for the development of the country and the welfare of the people.
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