To be or not to be | Simply Malvika

We've heard it since we were this high -- "Nepal, sundar, shanta, bishal". People tell us that as young people, it is our responsibility to lead the country, to restore peace, to usher it into a new era. The questions is: how?

We need proper guidance to create opportunities. Who do we look to for inspiration? The next generation look at us searching for something that we are searching for too. There aren't many leaders in Nepal that we consider worth idolising, who could show us the way. The few who have clout still have to earn our respect. The upside is that young people are getting more involved in politics with the likes of Gagan Thapa, Ram Kumari Jhankri and others. The rest of us sit on the sidelines and harp about corrupt ministers and dirty politics. As young citizens, we cannot afford to be politically passive. You can't get freedom for free, there's a price attached. The question is: are we prepared to pay it?

Many youngsters are now showing interest in mainstream politics, some want to join the game but they don't know how. My suggestion is that certain criteria be set for politicians: educational qualification, minimum of Bachelors degree, various tests on international affairs and PR relations before they get to stand for candidacy. Most politicians here don't know how to deal with the media.

Every other day, I meet young people from all walks of life. Some religiously follow party politics and frustrated, are hell bent on leaving the country to sit in coffee shops, drink coffee, puff weed and talk about the latest they read about Nepal on the Net. What we need is to fight, to contribute in our own ways to a better and beautiful Nepal.