The Development Set

The Development Set


by Ross Coggins

"Excuse me, friends, I must catch my jet


I’m off to join the Development Set;


My bags are packed, and I’ve had all my shots


I have traveller’s checks and pills for the trots!

Ghandruk, at the foothill of Annapurna: Knockin' on heaven's door

By NEERAMESH

Having bit experience of outside world tour, we always had plans to go for trekking in Nepal to feel and experience the beauty of Nepal. So, here it came. We made it. Our first trekking in Nepal. Where, how and when? Our first plan was to go to Rara lake in Mugu district. But unfortunately, we had to defer it since we could not get the plane tickets. It was bit frustrating that it is hard to get plane tickets for Nepali citizens since the travel agencies have opportunities to charge more with the foreigners. We Nepalese are treated as outsiders in our own Nepal since they get more money from the tourists. It is also similar with some of the hotels in Kathmandu. When we approach for the hotels, they directly ask us whether it is for a Nepali or a foreigner and if we say, it is for a national then the answer is no. And they proudly tell us, "SORRY it's only for the foreigners."

Travelling Blind

http://www.ekantipur.com/2011/03/21/oped/travelling-blind/331229.html
Published in 'The Kathmandu Post'
21st March 2011

Travelling Blind

In recent years, the trend of Nepalis leaving the country for foreign employment has significantly increased. After Nepal plunged into civil war in 1996, the number of migrant workers going overseas increased tremendously. According to the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management, approximately 650 migrant workers from Nepal leave for various labour-receiving countries everyday, with an estimated 2.27 million Nepali migrant workers already engaged in foreign employment services—a majority of which fall into the category of unskilled labourers.