When the May edition of New Business Age hits newsstands, it will have completed its 21st year of operation - four years short of Silver Jubilee. The journey that we have made in these years is incredible in many ways. In these 21 years, we have covered the triumphs and turbulences of Nepal’s politics and economy, from absolute Monarchy to Republic, and from the earthquakes to the pandemic, without a sabbatical. The anniversary issue, which is in your hands, is a reflection of the journey that we had undertaken long ago.
In the past issues, we covered pertinent issues that were harbingers to the economic development of the country. Without being biased, we spoke to people from different walks of life, sought their opinions on the development issues of the country, and asked them for remedies to address these issues. Over time, we also created a forum to discuss the economic agenda of the country for prosperity in the form of a conclave. Even in the most difficult hours, we never deviated from our mission and values. We have made these missions and values our guiding light as we move forward.
When we launched the magazine 21 years ago, our priorities were different from what we have today. Things have changed so much over the past 21 years. Our readers can feel the changes in our past issues. These issues are a reflection of who we are.
Our young readers of today were newly born or toddlers at the beginning of our journey. Social media, which has now become an indispensable part of our lives, was a distant dream then, perhaps found only in science fiction. The startup was not heard of then. The mobile phone was a luxury for a few people. The internet was still limited to some NGOs and INGOs only. A smartphone was not even in our imagination, let alone a video call. For our generation, who grew up with telegrams, telexes, and handwritten letters, the advancements made in cyber technology seem to be a boon in disguise. Apart from bringing everything closer through social media, cyber technology has created an artificial wall within the family, making everyone busy with their smartphones and not giving time to the family members. The discussion that we used to have in our house no longer exists today. But it has brought our near and dear ones living far away closer to us, thanks to new technology.
Over the last 21 years, the scions of prominent business houses have replaced the older generation, though many of them still retain the role of guardianship. We have also seen the incredible transformation from an 18-hour blackout (load shedding) to an uninterrupted power supply today. Now, Nepal is on the path of self-reliance on electricity. Aviation, tourism, and the financial sector have all made significant advances in their respective fields. The mushrooming of banks, cooperatives, and other financial institutions in nooks and corners of the country is a testimony to Nepal’s development. The young rural people, who used to take up hammer and sickle to fight against the monarchy, are now in the Middle East, Gulf countries, Malaysia, and South Korea strengthening the Nepali economy by sending remittances. The beleaguered mass has joined mainstream politics. Now, nobody thinks of another insurgency. Many talented young students, who left Nepal to pursue higher studies in the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia over the last 21 years, have not returned to Nepal yet. Many of them have already renounced their citizenship. This mass migration for greener pastures has not stopped yet.
The changes that we have seen in the last 21 years are quite amazing. In the last 21 years, we saw one king, eight prime ministers and one chairman of the Council of Ministers rule Nepal in their ways. For Nepal, the last two decades were the most crucial, both politically and economically.
In the last 21 years, we have also made commanding progress in the New Business Age. In 2006, we launched a business weekly newspaper in Nepali which, in 2010, became the first business daily in the country.
The list of events is exhaustive. However, the future of Nepal is in the hands of young, talented people with boundless energy in almost every field. They radiate optimism, confidence, and ambition for the betterment of the country. The Millennial and Gen Z are the future of the country. We dedicate this issue to this young and dynamic generation who are the forerunners of change in Nepal.
Madan Lamsal
madanlamshal@gmail.com
