America and Nepal—these two nations’ disparities often leave me, as an immigrant, feeling deeply discontented.
America’s governance system is like a finely tuned machine, its efficiency astonishing me. Within a week of a new administration taking office, illegal immigrants are deported via military aircraft, border security is tightened, and human traffickers are disrupted. Over 170 countries receive a clear message—cooperation programs are halted, decisions are made without hesitation. Every policy is based on real-time analyzed data, propelling the country’s economy forward without burdening its citizens.
Policies are announced before ministers even take their oaths. Within minutes of appointments, laws are signed, implemented, and global plans are set in motion. Ceasefires in the Middle East, trade tariff policies with China and Europe, or a $500 billion data center project—the speed and effectiveness of decisions are astounding. Within days, jobs are created, supporters are pardoned, and the country moves forward at a rapid pace.
But Nepal’s pace is glacial. It takes weeks for the Prime Minister to take the oath after appointment. Months are spent forming the cabinet; some ministers indulge in photo sessions while the rest of the country waits. Essential laws get trapped in the labyrinth of debates for years. Elections come, governments are formed and fall, but progress seems like an unfulfilled dream.
From an immigrant’s perspective, Nepal is stuck in a cycle of inefficiency and misplaced priorities. The trade deficit is larger than the national budget. Infrastructure projects rely on external aid. Youth and intellectuals are migrating, once vibrant villages are becoming desolate. Pollution chokes cities, rivers run dry, and the Himalayan glaciers are melting.
Unemployment, inflation, food shortages, and border disputes stand like mountains, while leaders are busy giving speeches, holding endless meetings, and basking in self-praise. Debates are confined to outdated ideologies and personal interests, while practical solutions remain distant.
In America, despite its flaws, policies are implemented purposefully and effectively. Leaders make swift decisions as needed. As an immigrant, this system makes me hopeful. But my heart aches for Nepal—a country with immense potential, entangled in a web of small-mindedness, misplaced priorities, and inefficiency.
This disparity makes me ponder—what can be done? If Nepal could emulate even a fraction of the swift and effective governance seen here, perhaps this nation could break free from the cycle of instability and despair.
(The article is based on content written by Narayan Gaule)
Freelance Writer
