Not just because, a nation has an ambition to progress faster after over two decades of turmoil and many landmark changes that encompasses last few years. But, because of its youth force with a majority of population with median age of 23 years, and whose aspirations are higher than the national growth rate.

About half a million are getting ready for the new jobs each year after their basic education. Most of them have ambition to go abroad either to study or work as they have a feeling that the opportunities and resources within country cannot satiate their desire for growth. The fact is, a huge chunk of these youth is scattered in Malaysia, South Korea and Gulf countries and contributes almost one third of the country’s GDP through remittances. But we must not forget, there are many more youth back at their home that feel otherwise. They have an ambition to bring radical changes in their own hometowns living together with their friends and families, reap the benefits for such economic developments as they feel the possibilities are unlimited. Lastly, the brain drain is changing, there is a small percentage with steady growth, as some youth are returning to build the nation.

With the youth full of aspiration, the country is ready to take the next leap. It’s not just the country being rebuilt physically and infrastructurally post 2015 earthquake but also attitudinally and emotionally. The whole nation sentiments have now move from hopelessness to hopefulness. I personally believe transformation came across post-earthquake 2015, which was quite visible immediately with lots of youth volunteering to help victims and also to restore and built historically important sites in their neighborhood.

The article was published in Campaign Brief Asia and to understand Nepali youth & their aspirations, you can read the complete version at: https://campaignbriefasia.com/2020/03/19/ujaya-shakya-postcard-from-nepal/