Rajesh Sharma
I have seen a bitter debate going on for some days among and between some contributors on Facebook regarding taking some earthquake affected people to Tarai.
Narrow sum-nationalism and aggressive nationalism have come into full play. This is not a time for fighting within. Neither Nepal will break simply because a few leaders have made half-cooked statements nor it will be stronger only because their opponents are reacting vehemently. Now, emotions should be in check. Even, small events, minor unpalatable statements and a few unwanted things could be ignored. This is the situation of national calamity of unprecedented scale, intensity and nature and we have to direct our total energy to rebuilding lives as well as socio-economic and physical infrastructure.
As far as taking people to Tarai is in consideration, it is not the business of the Kathmandu elites. For resettling people (when it is absolutely necessary), it should be done in an area as close as possible to their native place. They should have access to their farmland if possible. It is not that easy to resettle. It is interwoven with their livelihood, skill compatibility, culture and climate acclimatization. Please do not see people as one rice mill, which could be dismantled here and could be reassembled some where else.
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