Silent Sacrifices Beyond Borders

January 24, 2024 09:00 am

The Nepali soldiers have left an indelible mark in the global arena with unsung heroism, breaking boundaries far and wide. Renowned for the bravery of the “Gurkhas” soldiers, Nepal has a centuries-old history of contributing to foreign armies. Over the years, formal agreements have paved the way for Nepali nationals to serve in the armies of India and Britain.

KATHMANDU, Jan 3: For years, a significant number of Nepali youths have been seeking employment abroad due to the challenges of finding jobs within the country. The lack of interest among Nepali youths in the available domestic job opportunities has resulted in a significant surge of foreigners coming to Nepal to work in various fields. The remittances sent back to their home countries by these foreign workers contribute significantly to their economies. In the first five months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-December), 414 foreign nationals were granted work permits in Nepal, while during the same period, approximately 300,000 Nepalis migrated abroad for employment.

One of the primary factors driving Nepali students to study abroad is the limited availability of higher education opportunities within the country. Nepal has a limited number of universities and colleges, resulting in intense competition for admission.

The migration of young Nepali nationals abroad in search of better opportunities has reached alarming levels. Recent statistics reveal that a staggering 56,235 young people left Nepal in the month of Asoj (mid-September to mid-October) alone, coinciding with the country's grand festival, Dashain.

KATHMANDU, Oct 3: An upward trend in the issuance of work permits for foreign employment reflects the growing desire among Nepali youth to seek employment abroad due to a dearth of domestic job opportunities offering good service conditions.

In recent years, a growing number of students have approached me for migration certificates or recommendation letters to leave the country and study abroad. To the questions, ‘Why do you want to leave your parents and homeland and go abroad? Why don’t you study in Nepal?’, they had answers or counter questions that explained the thought process behind their decision.

KATHMANDU, Sept 26: In a recent update, the Tribhuvan Airport Customs Office in Kathmandu has made significant changes to its customs regulations regarding the import of television sets and gold jewelry by Nepali workers returning home from abroad.

For a long time now, Nepali students have been heading to developed countries for higher education. There has been a significant rise in the number of Nepali students pursuing higher education abroad. The rising number of students seeking higher education abroad has become a matter of concern for the state. However, the relevant authorities have failed to create an environment conducive for them to pursue their studies within the country.

A Step in the Right Direction

August 12, 2023 07:35 am

In a significant move that underscores its commitment to safeguarding the interests and well-being of its citizens working abroad, the government has announced a decision to provide Rs 1 million to the families of Nepali migrant workers in case of an unfortunate event of their demise while working overseas.

It is imperative to remember that it is not the departure of students that will haunt us, but it is their unwillingness to return that will.

KATHMANDU, July 27: In the fiscal year 2022/23, a staggering number of more than 771,000 young individuals ventured abroad for foreign employment. The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) reported that this figure represents the combined total of new and re-permit workers who obtained work permits during the last fiscal year.

CHITWAN, July 12: Industrialists and business persons in the district are found quitting their businesses and leaving for foreign employment due to the economic slump brought by COVID-19. More and more entrepreneurs are leaving the country for foreign lands after their efforts to revitalize their COVID-dented businesses failed to pay off, it is said.

KATHMANDU, June 30: The statistics reveal that over the past decade, more than 12,000 Nepali workers who had gone abroad for employment tragically lost their lives. According to the Foreign Employment Board (FED), a total of 12,124 such workers have passed away abroad since the fiscal year 2013/14. To support the families of the deceased, the board's welfare fund has disbursed 4.5 billion rupees.

Why are youths leaving the country? I asked the question to a class of pre-diploma level students in Saraswati Higher Secondary in Ghorahi, Dang.The answer was spontaneous and unanimous – because there are no opportunities in the country. I wasn’t surprised by the response as it has been the popular narrative in the country.

A society, where exploitation and inequality are at its highest level and unemployment is a major problem, can hardly appeal to the people to stay within the country with a hungry stomach and under such conditions. They would certainly try to migrate to other countries in search of a better life.

The decision for Nepali youths to pursue higher education or employment opportunities abroad is a prevalent and compelling phenomenon. Driven by a myriad of motivations, including the aspiration for quality education, promising career prospects, lucrative scholarships, enhanced skills and certification, and the desire for independence and a better quality of life, these individuals exhibit an unwavering determination to succeed.

KATHMANDU, March 15: The government has decided that ministers and high-ranking government employees will not travel abroad unless absolutely necessary.

KATHMANDU, Feb 27: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday issued an order allowing rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane to travel to foreign countries to play cricket matches.

KATHMANDU, Feb 24: The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the Patan High Court's decision to prohibit rape-accused cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane from traveling abroad along with the national team for cricket matches.

KATHMANDU, Feb 22: In the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2022/23, nearly 500,000 youths have gone abroad for foreign employment.

KATHMANDU, Nov 20: As the country goes to the general elections for the members of House of Representatives (HoR) and provincial assemblies, a large number of people are flying abroad for work.

Nurses Abroad: Boon or Bane?

September 23, 2022 09:15 am

“When citizens leave their home countries for better opportunities, the government fails the country. Likewise, citizens fail when the experience of leaving their home country becomes something joyful rather than a burden of sorrow associated with not being able to work and serve their own country.”

KATHMANDU, August 29: Lawmakers have demanded the guarantee of adult franchise to Nepalis residing abroad in the elections to the provincial assemblies (PA) and House of Representatives (HoR) slated for November 20.

KATHMANDU, July 21: Labor, Employment and Social Security Minister Sher Bahadur Kunwar has said that it is difficult to bring the bodies of Nepalis who die abroad. Minister Kunwar said this while speaking at a workshop on foreign employment, social security investment and foreign currency deposit organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association on Thursday.

KATHMANDU, May 31: Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Prabhu Ram Sharma is visiting various countries as a part of his efforts to motivate Nepali peacekeepers mobilized in conflict zones and acquire information on the varied aspects as well as future plans of different UN missions.

The music video narrates a story of a young man who goes abroad to earn for his family. It is a story about how a young man suffers while leaving behind his family.

Nepali migrant worker dies in Malaysia

October 18, 2021 15:30 pm

KATHMANDU, Oct 18: Dhananjay Joshi, 42, of Dilshani Rural Municipality-5 who was in Malaysia for foreign employment has died last night.

KATHMANDU, May 3: As many as ten Nepalese have died from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in India last week, taking the death tally of Nepalese in India to 71, according to the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

KATHMANDU, Dec 31: The education expenditure of students studying abroad has increased after most of them lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the number of students leaving for higher education abroad has dropped sharply due to the pandemic, the expenditure for education purposes has not decreased.

KATHMANDU, Aug 23: As many as 192 Nepali nationals have succumbed to COVID-19 in 16 various countries so far, according to the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA).

Miss world Nepal 2019 Anushka Shrestha who returned homeland after attending a program in overseas, has decided to self-quarantine amid the coronavirus outbreak.

South superstar Prabhas has announced that he is in self-quarantine in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

KATHMANDU, August 3: Minister for Communication and Information Technology and the Government Spokesperson, Gokul Baskota has said that the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli himself will bear all the expenses during his health treatment in Singapore.

KATHMANDU, June 24: The government has initiated preparation to return Nepali laborers who have been languishing at coma in different hospitals abroad.

When studying abroad, a lot of unexpected hurdles appear so it’s always a good idea to be ready for the journey as a student.

Missing Nepal differently

March 3, 2019 01:00 am

While in an advanced American hospital, I thought of hospitals back home, villages where women are forced to give birth in cowsheds or even die due to lack of treatment

Why I haven’t returned

January 20, 2019 01:00 am

Almost 99 percent of Nepalis living abroad do not want to return. Here, if you work hard, you can enjoy the facilities that Nepal might not offer for the next 50 years

Life is all about getting up

November 14, 2018 11:22 am

Dear Sadichha, I am a 27-year-old woman currently working for one of the business houses in Kathmandu. I have been working there for the past five years now and many things have changed over the years. My boss recently proposed to me.

KATHMANDU, June 30: At a time when the government is showing the dream of prosperity to its people, the number of students aspiring for higher education in foreign countries has increased significantly.

KATHMANDU, April 20: Various stakeholders have urged the government to amend protectionist migration law and policies which restrict women from going aboard to work as housemaids. They argued that the government’s decision to ban women from going aboard to work as housemaids has escalated gender inequality and forced women to reach labor destinations illegally.

Greed for Abroad

March 17, 2018 10:13 am

The current generation is facing tough competition for getting employment opportunities which has compelled them to fly abroad in search of material prosperity and to maintain high self-esteem in society. They assume that living overseas will get them a standard lifestyle.

Souls of My City: Abroad dreams

February 19, 2018 11:24 am

Sixteen-year-old Gunjan Shrestha and 11-year-old Udita Sunar are cousins. They were waiting for their mother while she filled fuel in her bike at Bhadrakali, Kathmandu.

A one-day US Higher Education Fair organized by the US Educational Foundation in Nepal (USEF-Nepal) and US embassy in Nepal concluded on Saturday at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg. The Fair saw participation of over 2,000 aspiring undergraduate and graduate students from Nepal.

JHAPA, Feb 2: Many women who went for foreign employment to escape domestic violence back home are having an even worse fate abroad. Some of them were forced to return home after being victims of greater abuse and torture while others have remained out of contact with their families for a long time.

KATHMANDU, Dec 18: The government has permitted Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) to send its senior pilot Captain Subarna Awale, who is being tried in the court on charge of foreign currency smuggling, for training in Singapore.

Why parties are wooing Nepalis abroad?

November 17, 2017 07:23 am

KATHMANDU, Nov 16 : They comprise nearly a third of Nepal’s population of eligible voters. But they cannot vote because they are working outside the country. However, this demographic has a potential of altering poll outcomes.

KATHMANDU, Oct 24: Newly-appointed German Ambassador to Nepal Roland Schaefer has pointed out the need to publicize Nepal's successful peace process around the world.

KATHMANDU, August 27: Around two dozen officials of Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) recently visited Singapore to ‘observe and inspect’ its aircraft which is currently under maintenance there.

PARBAT, Aug 7: Nar Bahadur Paija of Baskharka, Parbat district, spent his five precious years in Malaysia and Qatar as a laborer. Unable to make enough money, he returned to the country and started orange farming. Now, he is earning more than Rs 700,000 every year. He has around 200 orange trees in his field.

KATHMANDU, Aug 2: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intensified the rescue of Nepali workers stranded abroad in course of foreign employment.