What's most worrisome is that Nepal lacks thought leadership than anything else. Okay, the politicians have ruined the country - they are a pathetic bunch. Thus a new breed of society has come to breed - the educated, the aware, the more brave than they used to be. This consists of journalists, writers, civil society members, their wives and husbands who work for various NGOs and INGOs around the city, few MBA graduates who think they have found a ground to sustain themselves doing a patriotic job, a group of Nepalis living abroad. These are very good writers who have made their mark, energetic young journalists, A rated graduates, and hardworking people, but among all this, where is the thought leadership? They have energy, passion, the will, the modern techniques of social networking and advocacy.
Where is the one inspiring leader whose thought process is so strong, so revolutionary and inspiring that the whole nation is behind him. For a revolution that shall change the nation does it not require someone like Gandhi, Martin Luther King or Lincoln, or a strong personality like Clinton, Obama or Indira Gandhi or Vivekananda? Sometimes, it seems that intellect of that level is missing in the country. Sorry, I take that back. Even though, intellect and personality at that level might be there, are they willing to take the leadership stand, or more importantly, are they capable enough to take such leadership stand? Do they have that capability to inspire the masses, lead a country full of people? First, deep self study, reflective serious thought process is deeply lacking about the societal problems which is rampantly polluted I would say by global forces and the superfluous education system in the country, especially in my generation.
Thus, howsoever positive I try to be about the positive changes that small factions of people try to being by getting together a few hundred, or a few thousand of us linked to the social networking sites, or hooked to the Internet, or around the cities, my heart sinks at the inevitable short sightedness and futility of it all. But maybe, amongst these programs and such rally of cries, something very strong might emerge that will change the face of this nation - is my pray.
What might work?
I call it the campaign style. Well, I just thought of it. But this might actually be the solution, why not. Get a few agendas backed by strong research, select a charismatic leader who can whole heatedly campaign for the agenda like the presidential campaign in the USA, form a campaign team, get sponsors and run a country wide rally - touch the hearts of people, be genuine, go whole heatedly. If you run changing the country and the society as a side business, you will only create an image for yourself but no change in the society. If a change or to stay in the spirit of Steve Jobs, if a dent has to be made, one should pursue the national interest with the spirit of a martyr and nothing else. Every other attempt nears hypocrisy in my opinion.
Where is the one inspiring leader whose thought process is so strong, so revolutionary and inspiring that the whole nation is behind him. For a revolution that shall change the nation does it not require someone like Gandhi, Martin Luther King or Lincoln, or a strong personality like Clinton, Obama or Indira Gandhi or Vivekananda? Sometimes, it seems that intellect of that level is missing in the country. Sorry, I take that back. Even though, intellect and personality at that level might be there, are they willing to take the leadership stand, or more importantly, are they capable enough to take such leadership stand? Do they have that capability to inspire the masses, lead a country full of people? First, deep self study, reflective serious thought process is deeply lacking about the societal problems which is rampantly polluted I would say by global forces and the superfluous education system in the country, especially in my generation.
Thus, howsoever positive I try to be about the positive changes that small factions of people try to being by getting together a few hundred, or a few thousand of us linked to the social networking sites, or hooked to the Internet, or around the cities, my heart sinks at the inevitable short sightedness and futility of it all. But maybe, amongst these programs and such rally of cries, something very strong might emerge that will change the face of this nation - is my pray.
What might work?
I call it the campaign style. Well, I just thought of it. But this might actually be the solution, why not. Get a few agendas backed by strong research, select a charismatic leader who can whole heatedly campaign for the agenda like the presidential campaign in the USA, form a campaign team, get sponsors and run a country wide rally - touch the hearts of people, be genuine, go whole heatedly. If you run changing the country and the society as a side business, you will only create an image for yourself but no change in the society. If a change or to stay in the spirit of Steve Jobs, if a dent has to be made, one should pursue the national interest with the spirit of a martyr and nothing else. Every other attempt nears hypocrisy in my opinion.
1 comment:
There is a too much emphasis on leadership in Nepal – even in day-to-day life, the intuitive way of thinking is: whom do I have to please to get this job done? This "cult of the leadership" thinking is a remnant in from our “feudal” eras – mostly King Mahendra’s rule and Rana regime. With the expansion of the private sector in Nepal these days, we’re increasingly focusing on organizational structure, due process, being a good team-member etc etc… some of this has trickled into public services too. This should facilitate the process to a more participative republic. To quicken this process, and to make our systems less vulnerable to corruption, we need built-in checks and balances for every position of power, mostly for government positions. Of course, building oversight requires more money and results in bureaucratic red-tape, but the gradual computerization of most offices should help to remove most of these systemic inefficiencies.
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