Youths yearn for good-governance, curb in corruption and job creation from new government

By Srijana Rai, Kathmandu, March 11: As vote counting of the March 5 election to House of Representatives members enters its final stage, anticipation is mounting among the youths across Nepal about the government that will soon take office.     

Youths belonging to the Gen-Z generation expect the incoming government to ensure good-governance, end corruption, create jobs and carry out systematic reforms.     

Many young voters believe that several young lawmakers elected to the House of Representatives could push the incoming government to prioritize youth-focused policies.     

They hope the new leadership will prioritize digital public services, transparent governance and balanced development.     

Twenty-five-year old Madan Karki, who was injured during the Gen-Z movement occurred on September 8 and 9 last year against corruption and misgovernance, viewed that the incoming government must take youth concerns seriously.     

After casting his vote in the recently held election, he shared that he participated in the electoral process with hope that the new leadership would bring positive and meaningful changes.     

He emphasized that the 10-point agreement inked between the interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki and the groups involved in the Gen-Z movement should be implemented.     

He stressed, "An environment should be created where Nepalis could live safely and with dignity in their own country. Good-governance must be ensured and corruption should end. Also, the new government should take action against those responsible for the incidents occurred during the protests."     

Liza Adhikari, who also sustained injuries during the protest, still undergoing treatment in the hospital. Speaking from her hospital bed, twenty-year-old Adhikari expressed her hope that the new government would seriously address the demands raised by young protesters.     

She called upon the incoming government to fulfill the major demands of the Gen-Z movements -ending corruption, ensuring transparency and maintaining good-governance.     

"We believe that the demands raised through the movement will be fulfilled. Along with the good-governance, the incoming government should pay attention to creating jobs within the country."     

For 22-year-old Sujata Karki, originally from Ramechhap district but currently residing in Kathmandu, the Gen-Z movement sparked a new interest in politics among young people.     

She suggested that the incoming government should arrange part-time employment opportunities for youth and prioritize development of infrastructures in remote and backward areas across the country.     

"Before, I was not really interested in politics. But I have started giving attention to political activities after the Gen Z movement. There should be adequate employment opportunities within the country. There should be a situation in which Nepalis visiting foreign countries should be for tourism purpose rather than for employment," she said.     

According to 23-year-old Bishal Budhathoki from Dolakha, the upcoming government should accelerate policy reforms and infrastructure development that old parties were unable to achieve. He believes the government should prioritise eliminating the development imbalances between villages and cities.     

"There is development in the city, but that level of development is not found in the village," he said. Budhathoki, who has planned to go abroad for his higher studies, expects that an environment will be created in the country for doing business after returning home.     

Binay Dhungana, 27, from Kathmandu suggested that the government should focus on digital governance and a production-oriented economy.     

He said, "The vote swing in this election is more due to disappointment that the old leaders did nothing rather than the belief that the new ones will do a lot. There is an expectation that government services will become efficient and convenient. There is a belief that the need to offer bribes or money for routine work will come to an end."     

Kiran Budhathoki, 24, from Dolakha, recalling that people voted for change, expressed the view that the development works will become effective only after the upcoming government focuses on system development.     

He said, "The party we want is poised to forming the government. Now it seems the government the people desire will come. The government should work on tourism, hydroelectricity and agriculture as areas with great potential. The party's election manifesto must be implemented."     

Nineteen-year-old Salina Rai from Khotang said that ending the necessity for young people to go abroad for employment should be the main responsibility of the next government.     

"Many young people from my family and village have gone abroad for employment. We are in uncertainty as there is no reliable employment in our own country. I believe the next government will create jobs," she added.(RSS)