“Brain Drain to Brain Gain” campaign

By P.R. Pradhan

The Himani Trust has launched a national campaign titled “Brain Drain to Brain Gain” with the compelling slogan, “Home is Haven; Return to Your Home.” The movement calls upon Nepali youth residing abroad to return and contribute to the development of their homeland.

The campaign was formally inaugurated at the International Club in Sanepa, Lalitpur. The event saw the presence of key members of the former Royal Family, including former King Gyanendra, Crown Prince Paras, Crown Princess Himani, Prince Hridayendra, and other royal dignitaries. Also in attendance were Girwani Rana and Surangha Rana, daughters of the late Princess Shruti Shah Rana—herself the daughter of the late King Birendra, who also tragically lost her life in the Royal Palace massacre.

The core focus of the campaign is to promote local consumption, support start-up businesses, and inspire entrepreneurial ventures among Nepali youth. During the event, members of the Royal Family spent over five hours interacting with young entrepreneurs, who showcased various locally manufactured products and shared their success stories.

Speaking at the event, Suvekchya Shah, Secretary General of the Himani Trust, said the campaign aims to halt the outflow of youth by offering opportunities at home and warmly welcoming those returning from abroad.

The Contradiction: A Broken System

Since the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1990, Nepal has faced a severe brain drain problem. State-owned industries were gradually shut down, pushing thousands of citizens to seek employment abroad due to rising unemployment.

Instead of promoting domestic production and encouraging entrepreneurship, successive governments led by corrupt political leaders prioritized exporting cheap labor to international markets. Agreements signed during official foreign visits were often focused on labor exports rather than enhancing Nepal’s industrial base or supporting local business initiatives.

Local entrepreneurs were not only neglected but also targeted. Government-backed trade unions often extorted money, creating an environment of uncertainty and harassment. This discouraged private investment and led to a culture of economic dependency on imported goods and foreign remittances, especially from Gulf countries.

The failure of political leadership to address youth unemployment and economic stagnation has fueled decades of outmigration. Political parties and governments in power have seldom prioritized national economic development or created conducive conditions for youth to thrive within the country.

A Hopeful Beginning

Although this campaign comes late in the day, the Himani Trust’s initiative is a commendable and timely effort to inspire a new wave of economic nationalism. It sends a much-needed positive message to the youth—both at home and abroad—about the value of returning to Nepal and contributing to its economic revival.

If sustained with proper policy support, this movement could become a catalyst in reversing the decades-long trend of brain drain and transforming it into a brain gain for the nation.