Why I Stopped Saying “Nepal Will Never Change”

Why I Stopped Saying “Nepal Will Never Change”

Every time I walked past a potholed road, watched another friend leave with nothing but a degree and a one-way ticket, or heard the same politician talking about the same 10-year-old promises, my inner self would sink in, and a wave of frustration would wash over me. "Nepal will never change," I'd think, feeling helpless. I’m sure many of you feel the same way. The endless struggles and the constant disappointments make it so easy to fall into the trap of believing that nothing will ever improve. But what if that’s not true? What if the change is already happening, just in ways we haven't fully noticed?

I used to be one of those people. I’d get frustrated by the never-ending traffic jams that wasted hours of my day, the power outages that disrupted work and study, and the same politicians who seemed to only care about their own agendas. I watched as new businesses struggled to get off the ground because of complicated paperwork, and I saw the dreams of young entrepreneurs crushed by an inefficient system. It felt like every step forward was met with two steps back, and I couldn't help but feel like the country was stuck in a loop of unfulfilled potential. It was easy to think that nothing would ever change, and I’d find myself longing for the days when we could just move past the obstacles. 

But then something happened, a shift in my perspective. It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but a gradual realization that maybe, just maybe, I was focusing too much on the problems and not enough on the progress. My journey with the Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellowship in 2025, working alongside the National Planning Commission, gave me the opportunity to see Nepal from a whole new angle. It gave me a chance to dive deeper into the country’s growth and its future, and what I found left me feeling more hopeful than ever before.

When I looked at Nepal’s macroeconomic progress over the past five years, I was amazed by the strides we have made. Yes, the country still faces many challenges, but there’s also a lot to celebrate. Our Human Assets Index is improving, meaning our health, education, and overall quality of life are better than they’ve ever been. Our Gross National Income is on the rise, and our productive capacity is increasing across many sectors. We’re catching up with other developing countries in so many ways.

But, of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. We’re still grappling with issues like transportation and energy sectors that remain behind despite our best efforts. Yet, the government isn’t turning a blind eye. There are ongoing projects and large-scale investments happening right now to address these challenges. It may take time, but the foundation for progress is being built, brick by brick.

Still, despite all the positives, it’s so easy to focus on the negatives. We see the potholes on our roads and forget the new ones being paved. We watch our friends leave and think that nothing will change for us. We hear the same old promises and wonder if we’ll ever see anything happen. But here’s the thing: We’ve been looking at the wrong side of the story. Yes, the struggles exist, but so do the successes. Nepal is changing and it’s changing right in front of us.

It’s time to stop pointing fingers and blaming the system. Yes, our governance system has its flaws. Yes, we have challenges to overcome. But focusing on the negative year after year isn’t helping anyone. Change is never easy, but it is happening. The more we focus on what’s wrong, the harder it is to see what’s going right. And trust me, there’s so much going right.

What we need now is a shift in mindset. Rather than resigning ourselves to the idea that nothing will ever change, why not take a step forward and be a part of that change? It’s not about waiting for someone else to make things better. It’s about supporting the initiatives that are already in place, contributing to the growth we want to see, and believing in the positive momentum that’s building every day.

I know it’s frustrating. I know it feels like we’ve been stuck in the same place for too long. But the truth is, we’re not stuck. We’re just on the verge of something big. The government is investing in the sectors that need it most, and the people who are staying behind, who are working hard, are laying the foundation for a brighter future. Change is happening, and the more we support it, the faster it will come.

Nepal’s transformation isn’t going to happen overnight, and it certainly won’t be without its bumps along the way. But that doesn’t mean we should give up on it. Nepal will change, but only if we stop saying it won’t. Only if we stop focusing on what’s wrong and start celebrating what’s right.

So, let’s make the choice to be part of the solution. Let’s stop asking, “Why won’t Nepal change?” and start asking, “How can I be a part of that change?” It’s happening, and we are part of it. Together, we can build the future we’ve always dreamed of. 

Nepal will change. And it starts with us.