What do young Nepalese people need?

“Where is she from?” a man asked, pointing at Sai and smiling. “She is speaking in some unknown language.”

In the last few days, we traveled to Nepal, and we were sitting in a local street chiya pasal (tea stall). Sai likes Nepali masala tea, so I took her to try some hot milk masala tea.

“Thai,” I replied casually, sipping the hot masala tea in the cold, freezing wind of the Kathmandu Valley.

The man looked confused.

“Thailand,” I said again. 

His face lit up as he sat beside us on the wooden stool, smiling. “Princess studies in Thailand, doesn’t she?”

“I think so,” I replied while looking at the man, feeling a bit confused and curious about his sudden changes in questions and conversation. “Princess Purnika completed her high schooling at UWC Thailand and earned her university degree from Rangsit University.”

He smiled proudly but did not say anything.

I looked at him thoughtfully while taking a sip of my tea. I put the cup on the table and asked. “Rajavadi hunu huncha ra?” 

“Hajur.” He replied proudly.

“Why?” 

He talked and told about the current democratic constitution, the issue of corrupt politicians, and the trend of young Nepalese traveling abroad in search of jobs and better opportunities. The negative aspects of the country.

He spoke for nearly thirty minutes while I listened without interrupting him. 

“The country is in a very bad state.” He said angrily. 

I asked him out of curiosity, "What are the solutions?"

“Raja Ao Desh Bachao. The king should return to protect the country.”

"Which one?" I asked him.

He didn’t speak. Sai gently squeezed my hand to hush me. I looked at her and smiled warmly.

I asked again, "For how many years?"

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at me, the shock written across his face.

“What are demands?” I asked thoughtfully.

“To change the constitution,” he said, “to make the country into a Hindu nation.”

I smiled. 

He looked at me and waited for me to speak.

“That’s the problem in our country. People come and discuss ambitious ideas, but without any concrete plans or projects.”

He remained silent. 

I asked him, "What do young Nepalese people need?"

“Good job. Security. Prosperity,” he said casually. “The government’s support.”

"What is the problem, then?"

"The government is unable to provide that."

“How do you think Rajavadins will do that without concrete plans but with two demands?”

He looked at me thoughtfully.

“In my opinion, Nepalese people need access to good and proper education,” I said. “Education that helps them understand that the opportunities available abroad can also be pursued here.” I paused and looked at him thoughtfully. “They need to learn good discipline and behavior. I’m not ashamed to say this, but when you look at the tall and grand houses in Nepal, it’s disappointing to see that the toilets are often dirty and poorly maintained. Travelers on the bus tend to speak loudly, even when it disturbs others.”

He didn’t speak.

“Why do we need to wait for the Gao Palika to clean and dispose of the trash in front of our house when we can do it in five minutes?”

“Are you a Prajatantravadi?” he asked with a smile.

“I am not interested in politics, but I believe there are many more opportunities here than in foreign countries.”

“What do you do?”

"I have invested in two businesses," I said.

“Really?”

“Yeah.” 

“What businesses?” 

“Beauty parlor and beauty training school,” I said. “And a boutique and fashion design school with over fifty students currently enrolled.”

“Wow.” 

“We also brought coffee machines from Thailand,” I said. “We plan to open a coffee shop.”

“Nice.” 

Afterward, we talked about other topics. We finished our tea and returned to the hotel.