tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post6994070986843174446..comments2022-10-30T02:14:16.890-07:00Comments on Chiya Pasal ko Ganthan (Chats at the tea shop): "Enough Politics – let’s talk Development" by Birat Simha (published in the People's Review, 12 August 2010)Horatiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03188844016125644659noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-70568175117956560712010-08-18T21:11:48.634-07:002010-08-18T21:11:48.634-07:00Yes, I think the point about bringing together rel...Yes, I think the point about bringing together religion and philanthropy is well made, Govind. That the poor should suffer for sins from past lives is a rather heartless concept, to say the least. Taking a similar selfish tone, I presume one can also say that by helping the poor one can ensure a promising reincarnation or even the ultimate goal of no reincarnation at all. <br /><br />Our religion has too many rituals. The rich conduct grand 'pujas' with a multitude of brahmins chanting undecipherable Sanskrit prayers, the latter to be paid handsomely for their efforts of course. Were these "dakshinas" to be given to the poor instead, how much more relevant would that be!Biratnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-60870212506329599072010-08-14T04:41:25.792-07:002010-08-14T04:41:25.792-07:00After reading a lot of`what`s wrong with Nepal`tin...After reading a lot of`what`s wrong with Nepal`tinged with cynicism articles, you have come with some serious `what can be done` piece.<br />Congrats!<br />The philanthropy culture in Hinduism may be lacking because suffering is often seen as atonement for sins in past life!And the rich think they deserve their wealth and comforts.But some gurus are challenging that and the huge amount of money pledged by ordinary folks for various social service during Saptaha is amazing.Maybe we need to bring religion and philanthropy together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-30245153955343176322010-08-14T00:44:04.792-07:002010-08-14T00:44:04.792-07:00The lack of trust in NGOs, a 'culture' non...The lack of trust in NGOs, a 'culture' non-supportive towards development, and lack of leadership even within the business community have been highlighted in the above comments.It is heartening to receive these frank comments, even anonymously. We have begun the dialogue. Let us now pursue it further.<br /><br />As regards the first comment, should a Rs. 100 crore trust fund be established for conflict victims as well as for other development activities only by guaranteeing private donors that "fly-by-night" NGOs are not going to be receiving any of this fund, I suggest getting an international NGO of global repute to manage the fund. Any takers? <br /><br />On the other hand, I also cannot believe that there are no domestic NGOs with the capacity and honesty to do this. They would be preferable to INGOs.Birat Simhanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-91564589039480043482010-08-13T05:56:44.838-07:002010-08-13T05:56:44.838-07:00The article is logically presented and identifies ...The article is logically presented and identifies the need of the day. However, the culture established so far is for political representatives and bureaucrats to share the money with the both blaming the other. Now even the NGOs and INGOs are well versed in corrupt practices. Therefore bearing the responsibility by exercising the authority and spending the resources without accountability has been institutionalized. Even the YCL which functions as oversight mechanism shares the prize.<br /> <br />National security (rule of law) + national development and multiplied by political competence gives you stability, progress and rise in nationalism. Now see where we are now in terms of nationalism and love for your nation.<br /> <br />We yearn to be inside some sort of a crowd, for in a crowd there is a shelter from danger and loneliness. It is better to be wrong along with everyone else than wrong by yourself; that way there is no penalty for your mistakes. This crowd may signify majority but it strips individuality in favour of the mass and is the ultimate enemy of freedom.<br /> <br />Now if you put nationalism and individual freedom together they almost stand on two opposite ends and therefore development is suffering. The political culture that is preached is not applicable to achieving prosperity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-55088342241371486952010-08-13T05:23:02.317-07:002010-08-13T05:23:02.317-07:00I agree with you. I think we should try and concen...I agree with you. I think we should try and concentrate in our work and do whatever we can to leave politics behind. Like, not even read the daily paper because it is so frustrating and there is not much that most of us can do, politically that is. <br /><br />We have to consider ourselves blessed if we can continue to do our humble work.<br /><br />In Nepal problems are so obvious and solutions are too, but the two never meet. <br /><br />Finally in terms of improving philanthropy in our country, unfortunately we are so feudal that words like "tithe" to help the needy and downtrodden (outside me and my circle) are not in common use. So there are cultural aspects to all this too. <br /><br />In short we are riddled with problems. But this also affords an opportunity to do a lot of good in our own little ways.akashbhairabnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-14982622662631270162010-08-13T03:34:52.198-07:002010-08-13T03:34:52.198-07:00The sorry part is that we do not even have leaders...The sorry part is that we do not even have leadership within the professional diaspora without some hidden agenda. Hence, the spontaneous movement (strike)by the professionals couple of years back during the Maoist atrocities against local entrepreneurs, died down with a whimper because the so called FNCCI leaders compromised !!! For whom, I ask and you guess !<br /> <br />Even for the country to get onto the development bandwagon, we still need a Jung Bahadur or in modern terms - Lee Kwan Yew!!Amar Simhanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-28759236825703081622010-08-12T14:01:32.270-07:002010-08-12T14:01:32.270-07:00"take take and share the loot"? Can an e..."take take and share the loot"? Can an example be given to illustrate the reality in Nepal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-1718172507687508672010-08-12T10:13:22.354-07:002010-08-12T10:13:22.354-07:00A public private partnership will be win win of co...A public private partnership will be win win of course, take take and share the loot, we know it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-45498508473861495272010-08-12T08:35:04.368-07:002010-08-12T08:35:04.368-07:00I believe that a public private partnership can go...I believe that a public private partnership can go a long way in the development process as long as there is a will and commitment.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8293872509981147958.post-15895097791330647762010-08-12T08:17:35.488-07:002010-08-12T08:17:35.488-07:00Do we have honest brokers to manage the developmen...Do we have honest brokers to manage the development process? Private donors will be willing to share their good fortune only if their money is put to proper development efforts. There are too many "fly-by night" NGOs in Nepal.<br />For example, during a presentation of the ill- effects of the so-called "People's War" where many families were left vulnerable, a proposal was made that a fund of 100 crores be mobilized to help the effected families but there were no takers to manage the process.<br />Any suggestions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com