Science 13 June 2008:

Vol. 320. no. 5882, p. 1411

DOI: 10.1126/science.320.5882.1411

 

News of the Week

ASIA:

Nepal Counts on Science to Turn Struggling Country Around

Jerry Guo

 

KATHMANDU--Nepal's new leaders have a surprising strategy for making the poor Himalayan nation's transition from monarchy to republic a success: They plan to shower money on science. High on the agenda of Nepal's new legislative body, the Constituent Assembly, is to approve next month a $125 million budget for the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST)--a whopping 12-fold increase over 2007. "This is so much money that scientists may not [be able to] spend it all," says science ministry senior adviser Devi Paudyal.

 

Perhaps most remarkable is the source of the promised windfall: the Maoists, a group once labeled as terrorists…[more]

 

 

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/320/5882/1411

 

Nepe

HAHA.............

Nepe, you are simply ridiculous sometime. What did you find so enchanting in this? This thing,dreams and faking words and promises has been slated for different timing by maoist. Just today I remembered maoisting saying that they will put forward the AUDIT OF AMOUNT THEY LOOTED FROM DIFFERENT BANKS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY. Has that been pulbished yet?

Next thing, they are saying in 20 year and 40 years. Had not been this maoist insurgency started, don't you think Nepal would have been reached so far the halfway? If maoist has not burnt the cables, more than half of the villages in Nepal would have been enjoying internet and landline phones. This is just one example.(Don't say its for people revolution.  the people that maoist said would benefit from this have lost most and of course in future will be the laggards).

Hadn't maoist kidnapped students and killed teachers in front of student, even remote villages in rukum and rolpa would also have 10+2.  See the changes in education in Nepal after 2046. Despite maoist hardwork, Nepal has done lot in education though in most instance is limited to theoretical exposure. Who did it to divert International aid to national security?

There are many things Nepe................if it does Nepal will not somersault  because of  fucgking moist dicgheads.

NS,

 

Although your questioning to Maoist’s wartime misdeeds is well put and your assumption that Nepal would be prospering, had it not been for Maoist war, is fair enough (although I don’t believe), your laughing at a small news that Nepal is going to dramatically increase it’s investment in science and technology with biotechnology in particular focus was tasteless, to say the least.

 

As for Maoist misdeed, there is no need to halt everything else before it gets accounted as the peace process itself has put the issue at the end of it to be resolved. (Remember the agenda of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” (25 points “Comprehensive Peace agreement 2006”, article 5.2.5).

 

As for the old prospering paradise of Nepal before Maoist destroyed it, I have yet to find a single scholar endorsing that idea. All the scholars I have read and have a chance to talk to talks about a stagnant and corrupt Nepal where the power was centered at the hand of a handful of people/class/dynasty. A complete shaking up of the power structure to make it amenable to change was absolutely necessary- this is what I believe and also what almost every single scholar I have come across says.

 

So, NG, you are pretty alone out there if you believe your old Nepal was fine.

 

Nepe

Very good news, thanks Nepe for sharing. It could be a good beginning.
I hope it wont be only in paper. Making a solid base through Science and Technology could definitely lead country to progressive path.

One restraint on scientific development is an unchecked brain drain by Nepal's few rising science stars, says Bajracharya.
I like this part because I am one of them.


Hallelujah United States of America. I had no afno maanche in Nepal, didn't know how to smoodge. I studied in Europe with my parent's investment and went back to Nepal. I just asked for a Technical Officer job ($100 per month) and during insurgence I was willing to relocate anywhere in Nepal and willing to leave my dad's house(almost 4 star) but I did not get the job. Now they are trying to entice me. No man I am not going back.

Jai Nepal

Ministry of Science and Technology is a big joke in Nepal. It's all politics. However, Alternative Energy Promotion Centre under the MoST, has been doing outstanding job since 2000. It's one of the most sucessful project in Asia. That's why they are putting so much money on Renewable Energy Technology.

NS

I am with you. Where does the money come from to invest so much in S&T?

It is easier said than done.

 

>Where does the money come from to invest so much in S&T?

If it is about specifics, then you will have to wait for the budget speech due soon in CA-parliament.

Nepe

ha ha ha ha Nepe Nahassaaa na GADHA !!

Nepal is going to be self suffcient in all aspects of life from now on(but if you want the specifics you will have to wait till it actually happens).

Khaali yestai gadha kura matrai garna aucha yo gadha NEPE lai.

No one can doubt the importance of science and technology in 21st century. All developed countries invested a lot on S & T research and development and still putting worthy amount of money. Same case applies to Nepal. If you want to develop the country, invest on S&T. In past none of politicians were aware of the importance of science and technology. All most all science ministers were non-science majors (one was sanskrit-I don't mean that to understand something you have to have degree in the same field). Investing money on R&D is still regarded as

There is a circle. Poor country cann't invest on R&D. It is poor because it can't invest in R&D. Untill you break this circle, you remain poor. One has to break it. I am not hopeful that there is drastic change coming but definitely something will change in this direction. Its good to know that this voice has been heard while preparing the annual budget. Still we have to wait untill announcement.

Its time to discuss which area shound be focused on science and technology because we can't go in all the fields of this area. I would say biotechnology, agriculture, renewable energy-yes! etc.

 

Pops,

 

Well said about the vicious cycle of the poverty and low science. It’s got to be broken somewhere. Stronger science and technology not only prepares the society for becoming innovative in future but also brings more progress immediately through indirect strengthening of all systems.

 

A poor country with stronger science has more chance to prosper than one with no science.

 

That said, I think the first priority for Nepal should be education for all, which is fundamental to all progress. I think we need a dramatically ambitious plan to educate all our children, if necessary by diverting resources from other sectors. Even if we come to a point between choosing a food and education, we must keep the following ancient Chinese wisdom in mind:

 

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”

 

Nepe

For those who are interested in studying how Nepal has been doing with money matter, here is a compilation of 30 budgets of the past (1982-2007).

http://www.mof.gov.np/pdf/Budget_collection.pdf

Nepe 

 I am not against the budget, but just wondering where the money comes from.

This is the synopsis of budget 2007/08 (source: link provided by Nepe) and my forecast for 2008/09:

	Uses	(Rs in billions)
	Budget  2007/08	Forecast 2008/09
General Exp.	94.00	124.41
Development Exp	76.00	100.59
Total	170.00	225.00
	Sources
Revenue Collection	100.00	132.35
Foreign Grant	28.00	37.06
Foreign Loan	17.00	22.50
Deficit	25.00	33.09
Total	170.00	225.00

In FY 07/08, 9 months revenue collection was about Rs 71 billion and the government is expected to meet its target .

The budget forecast (my forecast as above) is about Rs 55 billion more than that of the run-up fiscal year. If the revenue trend goes like that the revenue forecast for FY 08/09 does not seem unrealistic. Would the govt. be able to mobilize sources other than the above and get more money? I don't think so.

Let’s see how the budget was allocated for education and S&T in FY 2007/08.

	Budget 2007/08	Forecast 2008/09
Ministry of Education	23	30.44
Ministry of S & T	13	17.21
Total	36	47.65

Major chunk of the S&T budget was for electricity (Rs 11 b out of Rs 13 billion). In MOE, most of the money was for salary and wages.

If the government is planning to allocate $125 million (~ Rs 8.5 billion) on S&T, with emphasis on bio-fuel development, all incremental forecast of both the ministries should go to S&T, which seems unusual.

Given the unification process of PLA with NA, the govt. would have to allocate more money on security expenses. Which are the other areas that the govt. can be scant for?

I am not a student of economics so I wish I would be wrong.

 

 

I will tell you where they will spend the money;

Computer :
ASSEMBLED;Market Price ;25000 , MOST :85000
Brand Name(They usually name the brand. WHY ? They first speak to the Authorized dealer ,make the deal usually about 25% and publish the tender)Market Price ;60,000 , MOST :160000

Stapler ;Market Price ;60 , MOST :340

Calculater :Market Price ;100 , MOST :700

printing paper;Market Price ;300, MOST :550

Table;Market Price ;5000, MOST :12500

Do you really believe they will spend the money in R&D. the above is the example how they will spend the money.

MOST = Ministry of Science and Technology.

नेपेको प्रतिक्रिया पाउन प्रतिक्षारत छु, प्रचण्डलाइ शान्ति पुरस्कार दिने निर्णय सम्बन्धि ।
वास्तवमा भन्नुपर्दा, नेपेले राम्रो लाइ राम्रो भनेको त देखेको छु, तर नराम्रो लाइ नराम्रो भन्न सक्ने सामर्थ्य छ कि छैन हेर्न मन लागेको छ। 

From where money comes from is a important question.

Its not easy to believe there will be a large spike in the investment this year. But its not tatally impossible. We have saved some money which was going to Royal Palace (monarchy). If you have dream and you work hard to make your dream true, it is possible. If the government has will power to do it, it is possible and it can find money, can find money sources. Other wise all poor countries will remain poor. We should learn from other countries which are progressing in recent years through science and technology.

In my opinion, this is the time to think about the national science policy which we don't have (I am not uptodate in recent months).Without national policy, target, national goal-investing is just wasting money. It won't give any good result. So its right time to set our goal timewise.

vname, I agree to the point that most of money goes to administrative work and there is corruption. But it doesn't mean that it won't never change. If you look at NAST, there are more administrative personals than scientific. In TU there are more 'karmachari' than professors. This means we need drastic change and for this strong leadership and good policy is needed.

Nepe, thanks for sharing. At least, they have understood the importance of S & T, and are planing to take an initiative. Where there is a will, there is a way. Let's wait and see.

Copycat-jyu,

 

मेरो प्रतिक्रिया जान्न जिज्ञासाको लागि धन्यवाद छ है ।

 

यो पुरस्कार नयाँ रहेछ र यसको उद्देश्य र प्रयोजन अलि स्पष्ट नभईसकेको यो आरम्भिक अवस्थामा पुरस्कार घोषणाकै बारेमा चाही टिप्पणी गर्न अलि असमर्थ छु ।

 

जहाँसम्म प्रचण्डको योग्यताको कुरा छ, मेरो विचारमा, यदि योगदानको आधारमा पुरस्कार दिने हो भने प्रचण्डले अहिले पाउनुपर्ने पुस्कार ‘शान्ति पुरस्कार’ नभएर ‘क्रान्ति पुरस्कार’ हो । किनभने उनले शान्तिपूर्ण, अर्धशान्तिपूर्ण र अशान्तिपूर्ण लगायतका सबै खाले साधन प्रयोग गरी गणतान्त्रिक क्रान्ति सम्पन्न गर्न करीव करीव निर्णायक वा कमसेकम महत्वपूर्ण योगदान पुर्‍याएका हुन् । अर्को शब्दमा भन्ने हो भने, जहासम्म शान्तिको कुरा छ, प्रचण्डले त्यसलाई साधनको रुपमा, त्यो पनि आंशिक साधनको रुपमा, क्रान्तिको सेवामा लगाएका हुन् । अब त्यसैलाई शान्तिमा महत्वपूर्ण योगदानको रुपमा हेरिएको हो भने, हेर्ने नै जानुन् । तर प्रचण्डको सबभन्दा महत्वपूर्ण योगदान भनेको क्रान्तिमा नै हो ।

 

उनले शान्तिमा पनि पुरस्कारयोग्य योगदान पुर्‍याउन सक्ने ठाउँ छ । कान्तिपुर सम्पादकियमा भनिए जस्तै यदि वा जुन दिन माओवादीको फौजी संरचनाको त्यागपूर्ण अन्त्य हुन्छ, त्यस दिन त्यो त्यागपूर्णताको मुल्यांकन शान्तिको लागि योगदानको रुपमा हुनसक्छ । त्यसैले यस्तो पुरस्कार अलि चाडो कामै नसकिकन भयो भन्ने कुरामा म सहमत छु । तर योगदानको कदरको रुपमा नभएर बरु योगदान गर्न प्रोत्साहित गर्ने प्रयोजनको निम्ति पुरस्कार दिईएको हो भने पुरस्कारको नाम त्यसै अनुरुपको ‘शान्ति प्रोत्साहन पुरस्कार’ वा यस्तै केही बढी उपयुक्त हुने थियो ।

 

अब एउटा अर्को महत्वपूर्ण पाटो । माओवादीले प्रयोग गरेको अशान्तिपूर्ण वा हिंसात्मक साधनको मुल्यांकन । यसबारे एउटा अलग्गै छलफल उपयुक्त होला । तर दुईवटा कुरा म संक्षेपमा राख्न चाहन्छु । एउटा कुरा जुन मेरो विचारमा सबभन्दा बढी महत्वपूर्ण हो, माओवादीद्वारा (र राज्यपक्षद्वारा पनि) गम्भिर रुपमा पिडीत गैरफौजी सर्वसाधारणको न्यायको मुद्दा । मैले धेरै ठाउँमा लगातार भनिआएको छु, पिडित नागरीकले जुनसुकै बेला पनि न्यायको निम्ति अदालतको ढोका ढकढक्याउन पाउने स्वतन्त्रता स्थापित गरिनुपर्छ । त्यस कुरामा कुनै सम्झौता हुन सक्दैन । बाँकी सम्पूर्ण कुरामा सम्झौता, मेलमिलाप, लेनदेन हुनसक्छ र हुँदा राम्रो पनि हुन्छ । यो कसरी गर्न सकिन्छ र किन गर्नु पर्छ भन्नेबारे अर्को खेपमा ।

 

Nepe