Gulf News

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

- By Susan Goldmark

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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