German Agency for International Cooperation also known as GIZ Nepal, Centre for International Migration (CIM) and Development and the German Embassy, Kathmandu organized a premiere screening of the documentary This is Nepal, along with panel discussion with the members of Farkeko Nepali on Tuesday, January 31 at Nepal Tourism Board.

The documentary is based on the perspectives on migration and returning home of the young German and Australian returnees that featured five entrepreneurs who established their own business in various sectors such as health, agriculture, and alternative solutions to power back up such as biomass and solar in various regions of Nepal.

The panel discussion included Nirjan Rai, Program Officer, The Asia Foundation as the Moderator, Avishek Malla, Engineering Manager at Gham Power, Sushim Amatya, Engineer, Sustainable Technology Adaptive Research and Implementation Center, Agya Poudyal, Director of Community Health Nyaya Health, Accham, Damodar Poudyal, Research and Development Manager and Vidhan Rana, Founder and Managing Director, Biruwa Ventures.

Panelists discussed their struggles when they returned as most of them had lost networks here and also faced pressure from family and peers having being told that they are making a wrong decision by coming back to a country where enormous difficulties persists compared to the developed countries.

“I already knew how I was going to serve my country and then I flew back”, said Agya. Similarly, Avishek added, “I was offered a full scholarship for PHD in Australia but it feels great to be back and work here along with being with my family as I united with them after 17 years.”

All of them shared that they have been inspired by the local people here and were encouraged to move forward through the network that they formed here after returning.

“I was motivated at the same time satisfied with my work when the HIV/AIDS patients came for treatment after I counseled them who otherwise were reluctant,” said Agya. Vidhan added, “It is interesting to see young people coming to our office and expressing some out-of the-box business ideas.”

The major concern pointed out by these returnees were the lack of three things- a proper platform for correspondence, family support and money, that contributes in motivating people to return here.

CIM has been successful in bringing back 60 young graduates from Germany since 2010.

Many have also returned from Australia, United Kingdom and United States, who have been working at grass root level at various regions.

Published on: 1 February 2012 | The Himalayan Times