Quake should serve to shake up Nepal’s laxity
Maybe this horrible natural tragedy can result in a turnaround and do away with practices that don’t serve the best interests of most Nepalese
Alarge tin trunk filled with bottled water, canned food, blankets and a flashlight sat in our Kathmandu garden for the four years we lived there. It was a daily reminder that tectonic plates were moving and a massive earthquake was overdue. I was privy to confidential reports that predicted what might happen when the earthquake hit. In a worst-case scenario, Katmandu Valley — an ancient dried-up lake bed — would “liquefy,” turning to mush. Thousands of flimsy brick buildings would collapse, and several hundred thousand people would be crushed to death.
The devastation from previous week’s earthquake and its many aftershocks is absolutely horrible. In 1934, after the last great earthquake levelled the valley’s structures and killed 10,000 people, the government decreed that no building could be higher than two stories. But those royal edicts were ignored and unenforced. Until 1951, Nepal was closed to the world. No elections, little infrastructure, few schools and a rigid social structure kept everyone in their place. This was also a people whose temples and statues for the last 1,000 years were a testament to magnificent artistry and grace. We drew some comfort from experts who said confidently that the unique architecture invented in Nepal would enable the temples to remain standing — as they had through previous earthquakes. Though some have indeed survived, it is heartbreaking that many more are now rubble. Nepal’s history helps to explain why there is so much damage from the earthquake. Dating to the 18th century, the united Nepali state was rooted in a system of feudal patronage.
Rebuilding the country
It was not until the early 1990s that a democratic movement succeeded in installing a parliament and started to chisel away some power from the Hindu monarchy. But it wasn’t enough. Elections in 2008 installed an assembly to write a Constitution and end the monarchy. A modern state was beginning to be built. And the idea that the state should serve its entire population — particularly those less fortunate — was beginning to take hold. Years of war, government instability, personal insecurity and poor basic infrastructure have hobbled the private sector.
Maybe this horrible natural tragedy can result in a turnaround and do away with practices that don’t serve the best interests of most Nepalese. Maybe the international donations that will come can be used to entice Nepalese back from overseas to help rebuild their country. Maybe the country’s artisans can turn their talents to rebuilding the temples. Maybe three decades of squabbling over electricity generation will finally stop and a few thousand megawatts be added. And maybe the Constituent Assembly will finally pass a constitution that has been pending for six years and refocus on delivering key infrastructure, better health and education services and creating an environment for good jobs. But a highfunctioning government able to attract capable civil servants will be needed to make these schemes a reality. Before leaving Nepal in 2011, I went to inspect my earthquake trunk, which had been guaranteed to last for years. It was flooded with water and filled with crawling bugs, rusty cans and a mouldy blanket. As I emptied it out, I thought of the popular Nepalese saying, Ke garne?— What can you do? And the typical resigned response, “You can’t do anything.” Not true. Nepalese must demand better answers.
Susan Goldmark first lived in Nepal as a college student and later returned as country director for the World Bank from 2007-11.
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