Should former Nepalis be granted dual citizenship?
Ashutosh Tiwari
and dialogues among Nepalis and former Nepalis. The idea proposed here
is very interesting and provocative, and needs careful
debates/discussions and so on.
Please feel free to add your valuable thoughts and opinions
to these discussions that are ongoing
in various Nepal-related emails.
This is an attempt to "de-fragment" these informational
discussions, and bring them all on one platform of the SCN.
Let's see how successful this effort will be.
*********************
>Mon, 20 Mar 2000 14:43:44 -0500
>From: Shyam Karki <gp...@localnet.com>
>Subject: March Update!
>
> Hi Friends,
>
> Secondly, we are pursuing the long-term visa concept
(Non Resident
>Nepalis)/dual citizenship vigorously. I am forming a Public
Affairs
>Focus Group to be co-chaired by Naresh Koirala and Girija
Gautam. I am
>requesting every Nepali American/Canadian and Nepali
attorneys to
>volunteer to serve in the group. The immediate task of this
group will
>be:
>
> 1. To work on a strategic plan on how we should
pursue it and
>prepare an action plan.
>
> 2. Implement the action plan after it is approved.
>
> Long term plans of this group will be:
>
> 1. To monitor the laws passed here and in Nepal
that will
>impact
>the interests of the North American Nepali community and
recommend our
>response.
>
> 2. To work on a strategic plan on how the North
American Nepali
>community can actively participate in the mainstream
political process
>and form a Nepali lobby group.
>
> I strongly feel that these steps are long overdue and
are in the
>best interests of the Nepali community. All of us need to
work on on
>these immediately. I am looking forward to form this group
by the end
>of
>March so that we will have some concrete plans and some
results by the
>July 4 Convention in Atlanta.
>
> Non attorney Nepalis, willing to volunteer in the
Public Affairs
>group, please contact me. We need as many volunteers as we
can get to
>make it happen. We have to figure it out how to pull this
through as a
>combined effort of the legal experts and community
activists. We need
>lots of help and input. Please keep it coming.
>
>With best regards to you and your families,
>
>Shyam Karki
>President,
Association of Nepalis in America.
--
oohi
ashu
************************************************
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.
Only through experiences of trial and suffering
can soul be strengthened, vision cleared,
ambition inspired and success achieved."
Helen Keller
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Ashutosh Tiwari
This comes from an electrical engineer in Kathmandu. This
is taken from the discussion list of Nepali writers and reviewers
who also publish their stuff on The fortnightly
Kathmandu Post Review of Books.
********************************************
Subject: What Nepali Americans are thinking
From:
from: ki...@egroups.com
I have somehow missed the connection between dual
citizenship/permanent residency and investing in Nepal. At
the
moment foreign investors are given more priveleges than local
investors. Why then is ANA so keen to change the situation?
As a country that is trying to attract foreign investment I
don't think it makes any differnce to Nepal whether the
investment is from people who came originally from Nepal
or Spain, Brazil, Tahiti or wherever. What is the advantage
of
ANA investors over any other investor that the government of
Nepal should grant priveleges to this particular group and
not
to others? Surely a group of people originally from Jamaica,
Belarus, Malaysia or Papua New Guinea can make exactly the
same
case for priveleged treatment??
Nepal obviously needs external investmetn if it is to
eaxpand
its economy faster. Foreign investments have been made in
Nepal
under the present regulatory framework, whatever its faults
might be. It may not be much but it just shows that for those
who are interested to invest in Nepal the door is open. There
is
no need to wait for further priveleges.
regards
Girish
Ashutosh Tiwari
*****************
At 12:49 PM 3/24/00 -0800, Sabina Pradhan wrote:
>Dear Mr. Karki,
> I am replying to your second item in this
>e-mail.
>>From your past e-mails and this e-mail, it is still
>not clear to me the need for a dual citizenship for
>Nepalese in America and Canada. Why should Ex-Nepalese
>citizens residing in these two countries be treated
>any differently than Ex-Nepalese citizens living in
>other parts of the world?
> Why can't "American Nepalese" and "Canadian Nepalese"
>also go through the same process like thousands of
>others do? Nepal has not been allowing dual
>citizenship for a long period of time (as far as I can
>recall). Then it was up to the people who were
>changing their citizenship to think hard about this
>action before they changed it. I am not sure how many
>Nepalese have given up their citizenship and are
>residing in these countries but I am sure that the
>number is far far less than 20 million which is the
>current population of Nepal. Now for the interest of a
>few people who willingly gave up their citizenship,
>why should the country be put through an odd
>situation? I cannot see India sitting quietly while
>the Government of Nepal hands out dual citizenship
>only to American and Canadian citizens not to mention
>other Nepalese in countries like UK and Australia.
>What are you offering to the government of Nepal that
>these people cannot? Why should you be treated any
>differently? From the perspective of a Nepali citizen
>residing living abroad, I don't think it would be fair
>to make any exceptions. No matter how this gets passed
>Indians are definitely going to find a way to get dual
>citizenship and then the next thing you know, there
>will Indians owning everything in Nepal. The situation
>is bad already, and this act by the government would
>further exacerbate the situation with more Indians
>claiming dual citizenship. I have been legally living
>in States for ten years and even to this day I have no
>doubts in mind that I will not give up my country's
>citizenship. If when the time comes that I do change
>my mind then I am definitely not going to fuss about
>having to get visas to go back. The country has plenty
>of problems to deal with and I do not need to be the
>one adding more problems to satisfy my personal
>interests. As the saying goes, "Chichi pani Papa
>pani", you can't have your cake and eat it too. I say,
>if you have made the choice to become another
>country's citizen and have benefitted to the fullest
>by doing so, you can't just say now you want to have
>the leisure of retiring in Nepal because life can be
>tough for retirees abroad. Even if you don't want to
>retire in Nepal, why do you need dual citizenship to
>visit? Why don't you push for multiple entry visa or
>push to make the visa process quicker? Why "dual
>citizenship" is what I don't understand and do not
>support.
>I am just letting you know my honest opinion and hope
>that you do not take this personally. I feel that ANA
>should not be directing its resources towards the
>fulfillment of wishes of a handful of its members who
>happen to be American citizens. Majority of Nepalese
>in America are not US citizens and the actions of the
>executive committee should reflect that.
>I do hope that you reconsider this project before you
>take it further because it can not only make a
>handful's life easier but can also negatively affect
>the 20 million people in many ways.
>Thank you for your time.
>Sincerely,
>Sabina Pradhan
--
Ashutosh Tiwari
of Cincinnati, Ohio.
******************
From: "Prahlad D. Pant" <<pp...@uceng.uc.edu>
Dear all,
I would like to thank Sabina Pradhan for making a good case against
pursuing dual citizenship for Nepalese-American and Nepalese-Canadians
(see her letter below). She is right; there is no need for dual
citizenship. Personally, to date, I have never heard a good case for
dual
citizenship from any individual or association. Arguments have been
made
that dual citizenship will allow Nepalese-Americans to invest in Nepal
and, therefore, Nepal will benefit by allowing dual citizenship to
these
people. This in not necessarily true. You don't need a dual citizenship
to invest in Nepal if Nepalese goverment would follow the example of
the
Indian government by removing the current restrictions on visa and
investment. In June 1999, Indian embassies and consular offices began
accepting applications for the Persons of Indian Origin card, which was
issued for a fee of $1,000 and good for 20 years. It entitled people
of
Indian descent who are citizens of other countries to travel to India
without a visa, buy and sell real estate, invetment in goverment bonds,
and apply for admission to Indian colleges. All Indians who have become
citizens of other countries, as well as their children, grandchildren
and
great-grandchildren, are eligible for the card. The Indian goverment
also
made sure that people from neighboring Pakistan and Bangladesh were not
eligible, because they worried that the card could become a vehicle for
illegal immigration. I am reproducing a copy of an article published in
the New York Times for your information.
What we need is a new Nepalese law that would allow people of Nepalese
origin to freely travel and invest in Nepal. The only restriction would
be voting, that is, Nepalese-Americans or Nepalese-Canadians would not
be
allowed to vote in Nepal. In fact, Nepalese-Americans should vote in
the
American elections if they are not already doing so. If a person is so
keen on voting in Nepal, he/she should not apply for American
citizenship
or, better, should consider returning to Nepal.
Since India has already started with a good example, the Nepalese
government should draft a law to remove the visa and investment
restrictions that currently exist in Nepal. The Nepalese aasociations
and
individuals in the U.S. and Canada should work with the Nepalese
goverment and make sure that the law adequately covers the interests of
Nepalese-Americans and Nepalese-Canadians. This is doable and most
likely
the Nepalese government will buy this idea. I enourage all Nepalese
associations and individuals to utilize their resources in lobbying and
passing this kind of law. At the same time, they should stop supporting
or pursuing the idea of dual citizenship for Nepalese-Americans or
Nepalese-Canadians.
By the way, I am an American citizen. I voted in the last two
presidential elections. I also vote regularly in the state and local
elections.
Best regards,
Prahlad D. Pant
Past President, Association of Nepalese in Midweast America, and
Principal Advisor, Nepalese American Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
<bold><bigger><bigger>INDIA OPENS ARMS TO EXPATRIATES AND MONEY
</bigger>
</bigger></bold><bigger>BY CELIA W. DUGGER
The New York Times
NEW DELHI, India -- The Indian Government last week initiated a program
that will make it easier for people of Indian descent sprinkled around
the globe to travel to their familial homeland and to invest in it, but
it stopped short of giving them tile right to vote, which many of them
have sought.
The hope is that doctors, lawyers and bankers, as well as executives in
multinational corporations and others among the millions of people of
Indian descent living around the world, will invest in India, or
persuade
others with deep corporate pockets to do so contributing to the
country's
economic growth, officials said.
"There will be a broader mass base who may be willing to invest in
India," said Anin Trigunayat, an officer in the passport and visa
division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
'The new program came in the same week that Indian officials announced
loosened import restrictions on almost 900 consumer and agricultural
goods, a.step aimed at encouraging foreign
trade.
<bold>An interdependent world
</bold>Indian embassies and consular offices last week began accepting
applications for the so-called Persons of Indian Origin card, which
will
be issued for a fee of $1,000 and be good for 20 years.
It will entitle people of Indian descent who are citizens of other
countries to travel to India without a visa, buy and sell real estate
here (except for farmland), invest in government bonds that only Indian
citizens living abroad could buy before, and apply for admission to
Indian colleges.
The steps are part of a broader recognition by a growing number of
countries that people who move abroad remain potentially valuable
contributors in an economically interdependent world.
For the large and prosperous settlements of Indians in the United
States,
Canada and the Caribbean, the new card will make it easier to sustain
close ties to India. Lower air fares and telephone rates, as well as
communication by e-mail and fax, have already tightened the connections
between India and its diaspora of about 15 million people.
"I have seen the hunger of Indians abroad to have their children linked
to their country of origin," said Home Minister L.K. Advani, who said
introduction of the card was motivated by a desire for closer ties
between India and its diaspora, not for their investment dollars.
<bold>Welcome back
</bold>The new card is a step toward welcoming back people of Indian
descent, Mr. Advani said. All Indians who have become citizens of other
countries, as well as their children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, will be eligible for the card.
People from neighboring Pakistan and Bangladesh, however, will not be
eligible, because officials say they worry that the card could become a
vehicle for illegal immigration.
Ashutosh Tiwari
in South Carolina.
***************************
>>> Madhusudan Bhattarai <mbh...@CLEMSON.EDU> 03/27/00 11:01PM
Thank you very much Shaubhagya lal jee for forwarding me the
e-mail and a
nice discussion on the issue of dual citizenship. I have also a
kind of
thinking as like that of Dr. Pralad Pant and Sabina Pradhan in
this issue
of dual citizenship. ANA earlier proposal, or Mr. Karki earlier
demand for
dual citizenship may not be timely at this time, considering the
complex
geopolitical realities, and sensitiveness of citizenship and
regional
migration issues in South Asia.
For providing convenient retirement access, and vacation
pleasures to two
to three hundreds American Nepali folks and Canadian Nepali
folks, that
should not open a provision of floodgate migration into Nepal
from India
and other nearby countries. Mr Kari (or ANA ) earlier demand for
dual
citizenship is not at all convincing one, which is only focusing
arguments
and logics narrowly for the convenient and pleasure of few
hundred people
residing in USA and Canada, completely neglecting all other
complex
geopolitical issues, historical tensions, and other realities of
the South
Asia. What Nepal government should do to millions of other
Nepali origin
folks, but now Indian citizen, who had to be under British
command India
earlier due to Shungauli treaty with British India Company. And
like wise,
why some of Nepali residing in USA and Canada should be treated
differently
with especial citizen provision than the other Nepali origin
folks residing
in Europe and other parts of Asia. Why only to USA and Canada
residence
Nepali, not to others.
Even, BJP government of India in 1999 has not given a dual
citizenship to
NRI, but only a separate identity card, exept to those NRI
residing within
other South Asian countries. This kind of ID card is again
limitated to
only those within three generations of an earlier Indian
passport holder
person. This type of a separate identity card could also be a
possible
solution from Nepal, but only after thouroughly analysing all
the pross and
cones of such experinces in India. Before demanding for such
thing, at
least, some responsible persons from ANA should have also
considered all
other complex geopolitical realities of South Asia, and, should
have at
least try to analyze all different options that at least would
not raise
other host of problems inside Nepal, at the same time also
provide a
convenient visa option into Nepal to all those interested
Non-residential
Nepali, if they want to visit or stay, or invest in Nepal. Dual
citizenship
is not the only one option for such things.
Beside, any such change in rules and law related to
citizenship in Nepal
now has also a huge immediate implication to more than one
hundred
thousands Nepali origin Bhutani citizen refugee residing on
several refugee
camps in Morang and Jhapa districts of eastern Nepal. What ANA
and other
demanders of Dual citizenship are now thinking about the current
refugee
and other migration problem in Nepal, which is also very closely
interlinked with this issue of dual citizenship. Otherwise, it
is as said
by Sabina Pradhan earlier, ANA such demand for dual citizenship
merely
looks like "Chi Chi Pani, Papa Pani, Mai lai " , and hell! to
the rest of
the world.
Madhusudan Bhattarai
Clemson University, SC
Ashutosh Tiwari
in Michigan,
*****************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 12:58:10 -0500
From: "Gaury Adhikary" <adhi...@umich.edu>
Subject: Re: (Fwd) Dual Citizenship
Dear all:
I read correspondence on Dual citizenship/ long term visa for
Nepalese living
abroad who have taken the citizenship of the adopted country
with interest.
Dr. Prahlad Pant, Dr. Sabina Pradhan and Mr. Bhattarai have
explained why we
should settle for long term visa and not demand for full
citizenship of Nepal.
Main argument forwarded : Nepal does not get into trouble with
cross border
miigration of people from India to Nepal.
In my opinion we are confusing many issues here. First of all
Nepalese of
adopted country are not demanding a new citizenship form Nepal:
they are
requesting Nepalese government for them to retain their
citizenship. This can
easily be implemented since Nepal do not have to grant new
citizenship to
people who never had their Nepali citizenship at the first
place. This will
narrow down the number of people to first generation migrant
Nepalese. For
those who are of Nepalese origin ( established by geneological
criteria) but
never had nepali citizenship it should be viewed in individual
basis. Half way
compromise may be to issue a long term visa as suggested by Dr.
Pralhad Pant.
These are few of my pragmatic thoughts but question of
citizenship runs much
more deeper than just "having the best of both world : chichi
pani papa pani".
I do not know how everyone feels about it but I can relate to it
from my
personal viewpoints:
I along with my wife and two daughters , migrated to this
country when I was
38. This clearly means I spent my formative years of my life in
Nepal with all
its social and emotional implications to my personaliity : of my
being. Part of
that has been transmitted to my children as well but they will
have to work out
their own place in society as most of us have to do. When I
think of Nepal many
of my fond memories are of Kathmandu with its innumerable
temples, festivals,
friends, crisp autumn days and I like reminiscing about all that
once in a
while. We all have our own memories and experiences that is part
of us. To
leave all that , the security , familiarity and migrate to an
alien culture and
environment is not an easy task and to "make it happen" despite
all that is not
a samll feat either.
Over time it is but natural for Nepalese to take citizenship
of the adopted
coumntry for various legal/ social reasons. Any one who has
taken up the
Americamn Citizenship knows that in their Naturalized
Citizenship paper
nationality is indicated as Nepali. It means that we as a group
are clearly
identified to our home country Nepal without any doubt. America
recognizes the
rights of its immigrant citizen and gives us reason to be proud
of who we are
and where we come from.
It dismays me that our motherland and its proponent of
protecitng Nepal's
integrity do not see us in the same light!
If we were to take up examples of other country : Germany will
accept anyone if
they could prove their ancestry to German Heritage no matter how
old: some of
the Germans living in Volga Grad river basin of USSR came back
to Germany after
the fall of Berlin war in 1990 after 900 years ( yes it is not a
typo) to an
welcoming embrace of the unified Germany.
Do we expect such gesture form present day Government of Nepal?
Personally I
have serious reservation. Mr Dibbya R Hada , with all his
sincere effort , has
been at it for quite a few years with almost negligible response
from Nepali
Government. Maybe this renewed and vigorous effort by well
prepared and well
informed group of people as suggested by Dr. Shyam D karki will
bring out the
desired result. Needless to say I will be a satisfied man should
a positive
result were to materialize. I will then know that I will be
counted as man who
lived and worked for betterment of Nepal (as much as one can do)
, from various
stations of life,
Jai Nepal.
Gaury S Adhikary, M.D,
Ann Arbor, MI.
Ashutosh Tiwari
Rabindra Mishra in London.
*************************************
Mar 28 2000 19:52:38 EST
From:
"Rabindra Mishra" <Rabi...@btinternet.com>
Subject:
Dual Citizenship Holder Nepalis, Are You Nepali?
The issue of dual citizenship has been a subject of heated
debate in different discussion forums in
the past as well. It is a sensetive and important issue which
of course needs further debate. The
problem I find with those holding dual citizenship is: they
are lobbying for the right after breaking
the law. Whereas they should have lobbied first, got the law
changed and then enjoyed the right.
Below is my article from the Kathmandu Post, July 1998, which
many may not find appealing.
Dual Citizenship Holder Nepalis, Are You Nepali?
"WARNING: Under the nationality laws of some countries a
person will automatically lose his or her
nationality if he or she becomes a citizen of another
country. If you have any questions about this you should
ask the authorities of the country of which you are a citizen
before you make an application" - alerts a
guide-leaflet to those who wish to become British citizens by
naturalisation.
Though British law allows dual citizenship, it does warn
about the provisions of countries which do not
provide for dual nationality, and Nepal is one such country.
It is impossible to verify but it is believed that
there are hundreds of Nepalese in America, Britain and some
other countries who hold dual citizenship, which
is a deliberate and total violation of the constitution of
Nepal. According to Nepalese law, those who become
citizens of another country, automatically lose their
Nepalese nationality. That means that they will have no
right to keep property or hold any job in Nepal and travel
with a Nepalese passport. But how many Nepalese
who have taken citizenship of another country may have
renounced their nationality? I presume, none or, at
the most, a handful.
Holding dual citizenship is common in many countries and a
number of Nepalese in America are campaigning
for the similar right for the Nepalese as well. They argue,
among other things, that allowing dual citizenship will
encourage non-resident Nepalese to invest in Nepal. However,
they should know that such a provision will be
more harmful than beneficial to Nepal given its geopolitical
situation. Nevertheless they have every right to run
such a campaign. But holding dual citizenship and campaigning
for such a right is wrong because it violates
the Nepalese constitution, which was framed democratically
and is accepted by all the leading parties of the
country.
The Nepalese who hold dual nationality are mostly from the
educated classes and, in some cases, from the
intelligentsia. If they were to be given high-flying posts
with attractive perks, probably many of them would
return to Nepal. They may not even hesitate to preach
patriotism from the very next day locking up their
foreign citizenship and passport only to use them after they
are relieved of their posts, though that would be
like deserting your mother when she is destitute and curling
up in her lap and glorifying her when she has
riches to offer.
Actually, permanent residency in both America and Britain
allows a person to most of the benefits enjoyed by
the citizens of those countries. Still why most of them are
eager to obtain the citizenship itself and why many of
them are not willing to forego the Nepali citizenship as
required by the Nepalese law? Apparently, there are a
number of reasons for it, some of which are financial and
some psychological:
If a Nepali renounces his Nepali citizenship he will need a
visa to travel to Nepal and if he decides to travel by a
Nepalese airliner, he will have to pay the airfare set for
foreigners which is much higher than that for Nepalese
passport holders. If the same Nepali is only a permanent
resident of, say, the United States, he will not need a
visa to Nepal but will need one to travel to other countries.
Similarly a British citizen of a Nepali origin does not
need a visa to Europe and America but a Nepali with a
permanent residency in Britain will need one. So
clinging to both the nationalities does not only make their
life easier for travelling but also gives them some
financial benefit, which is always their main concern.
However, many Nepalese in Britain are said to be upset
that the British Home Office has been declining to stamp visa
for "indefinite leave" to remain in Britain in
Nepalese passports whose owners already hold British
citizenship. Without such a visa they won’t be able to
travel to Nepal with a Nepalese passport.
As most of the dual citizenship holders can never develop a
sense of belonging in their new-found nation
(though many of them feel proud about holding American or
British citizenship), it is a psychological support
for them to think that they have maintained their links with
Nepal and they still belong to it. Many people also
have a tendency to show off to their relatives and
acquaintances how much money they have earned and how
successful they have been. This could be partly a
manifestation of their unfulfilled urge for recognition
because their achievements go relatively unnoticed in their
new country. Back home even riding a 100 CC Hero
Honda or driving an 800 CC Maruti Suzuki are status symbols,
let alone buying large areas of land and building
bungalows. But if they were to renounce their Nepalese
citizenship it will be difficult for them to exhibit their
earnings in Nepal.
In some countries many natives even feel, though it is seldom
expressed, that their opportunities are being
snatched by the foreigners. The recent extraordinary success
in Australia of a new right-wing One Nation
party wanting an end to immigration from Asia, and the
gradual rise of such parties in many other countries,
should give an inkling to naturalized citizens, especially
from Asia, of how they are being viewed by many
natives in the developed world. This realization can never
allow them to feel fully at home in their new country.
The success of the One Nation party in Australia even led the
Prime Minister, John Howard, to admit that it
would be foolish to ignore the mass support the party had
mustered.
Similarly, the dual citizenship holder Nepalese are also
fearful about what their old age is going to be like: they
might have to live in an old people’s home or might have to
be looked after by the community service because
their Westernised children may find time for them only
occasionally (not that they don’t love them but social
circumstances are like that). Stooped old people struggling
with a walking-stick in one hand and shopping
bags in the other are a common sight in countries like
Britain and America. They have seen that and they know
there will be no kanchha-kanchhis to assist them in their
final days, and no family members to talk to. Even an
imagination of such a situation would be a nightmare to
almost everyone who is brought up in a society like
that of Nepal. Hence, many of them harbour the intention to
spend their retired life in Nepal comfortably -
surrounded by relatives and kanchha-kanchhis. If they were to
follow the legal course and forego their
Nepalese citizenship, that again would be impossible. The
underlying question here is: how can anyone with a
moral standing fall back in his mother’s lap for support when
he has been of no use to her throughout most
part of his life? And when he has violated her laws of
existence?
And ultimately many also dream of breathing their last on the
banks of Bagmati or in the shadows of
Swayambhu or Bouddha Nath.
When professionals and intellectuals, who are supposed to set
examples for society, deliberately abuse one of
the most sensitive aspects of the country’s constitution for
purely personal benefit, then that is a real tragedy.
Perhaps the most galling fact of all is that they are the
ones who seem to show more concern than the Nepalese
in Nepal about the deteriorating condition of the country.
They are the ones who say they left the country
because their "talent" and "hard work" were not well
appreciated in Nepal. The famous statement by the late
American President, John F Kennedy, "ask not what your
country can do for you - ask what you can do for
your country," is probably more relevant to poor countries
like Nepal and those learned law-breakers are wise
enough to understand this. This author feels that their
concern for Nepal is mere crocodile tears and they
could be categorized amongst one of the most selfish and
opportunist lots. And they are not Nepali because
the law of the land says so.
*****************************
Ashutosh Tiwari
in Kathmandu
**********************
>Reply-To: ki...@egroups.com
>To: ki...@egroups.com
>Subject: [kitab] Dual citizenship
>Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 15:35:38
>
>Attracting investment to Nepal seems to be the carrot being
held
>out to the Nepali government by ANA members. I would be
very
>interested to get some information regarding investment by
>ANA members.
>
>1. What is the total amount of money invested so far by
people
>of Nepali origin in Nepal? In the US? In other countries?
How
>does this compare with the total foreign investment in
Nepal?
>
>2. What specific obstacles have people of Nepali origins
faced
>regarding freedom to travel in Nepal and in investing in
Nepal?
>
>3. What specific terms/regulations regarding investing in
Nepal
>do people of Nepali origins find objectionable and feel
ought
>to be changed?
>
>As a promoter of small hydropower projets in Nepal I am very
>interested to know about potential investors in Nepal and
would
>be interested to know of any obstacle that might be
preventing
>foreign investment in Nepal.
>
>
>Girish
Ashutosh Tiwari
in Florida
*******************
Mar 29 2000 11:10:43 EST
From:
"Shailendra Shukla" <shu...@ufl.edu>
Subject:
Re: Dual Citizenship Holder Nepalis, Are You
Nepali?
This interest in this subject seems to gain momentum every
ten years or so. I guess it is simply a
matter of how many people are affected; in the beginning
there were not many but the number is
slowly increasing. I would further guess that we (meaning
expatriate Nepalis in the west) have not yet
reached a critical mass either in number or in economic
clout. The latter is more important; how many
successful Nepalis entrepreneurs are there in the west and
then how many of them are dying to invest
in Nepal? As far as Nepalis in America are concerned, just
look at how many years ANA has been
trying to build a cultural center? Compare that to Indians,
who here in Gainesville, Florida a campus
town, raised almost a million dollars in 7 years and have
built a beautiful cultural center.
For what it is worth I am including an article of mine that
was published in the Kathmandu Post in
1997. I have also a question for Mishra ji who says" The
problem I find with those holding dual
citizenship is: they are lobbying for the right after
breaking the law". What does he mean by "those
holding dual citizenship" when by his own interpretation of
Nepali law no one can hold one. What
Nepali law is broken when a Nepali citizen accepts another
citizenship?
DUAL-NATIONALITY FOR FORMER NEPALESE CITIZENS
by
Shailendra Shukla
Florida, USA
Demand for dual-citizenship seems to be growing among
Nepalis
who have acquired foreign citizenship. In the USA, where I
have resided
for the last twenty years, I have noticed this phenomenon for
quite some
time among Indians, and of late Nepalis also have started to
clamor for
this status. In the following I present some of my own
thoughts in this matter
and hope to start a discussion among the Nepalis in Nepal
regarding this matter.
Citizenship is a legal term implying certain rights and
privileges
like voting, owning property and business, holding a passport
etc. Not being
a lawyer I don't really know if it is possible for one
country to unilaterally
award its citizenship to people who hold citizenship of an
another country. To
be frank, I think it is absurd for people to hold citizenship
of two countries
simultaneously. Let me bluntly pose some of my concerns: (i).
Suppose these two
countries wage a war against each other (perhaps an unlikely
scenario but not
theoretically impossible), whom are these people going to
legally support?
What if both these countries draft the dual-citizens for
military service?
(ii). Do dual-citizens carry two passports and use whichever
is convenient,
politically or economically, while traveling to different
countries? (iii).
While traveling to other countries, will these countries
recognize the
dual-citizenship, or will having two passports be a
liability, or perhaps
even illegal? (iv). Should this dual-citizenship be allowed
only to those Nepalis
who are in the US or Europe or is Nepal going to grant it to
Nepalis residing
in other countries as well, India, for example? (vi). Should
dual-citizenship
only be given to those who can pay huge sums of money, as has
been suggested by
some? CITIZENSHIP FOR SALE? (vii). Finally and in my opinion
most importantly,
is citizenship just a paper which we acquire so that we can
stay and work
in some foreign countries?
As you can guess from the questions I have raised, I
personally have
serious reservations about dual-citizenship. However, I think
that we Nepalis,
who have for whatever reasons acquired other citizenship,
should be allowed some
leniency from our native land. We may have relinquished the
citizenship but we
still are Nepali at heart. We still have a lot of ties with
Nepal and would like
to bring up our children with a positive feeling towards the
land of their parents.
Those of us who have survived in a foreign land have usually
acquired some skill
which can be put to use in Nepal. Those of us who have
prospered here may also
like to invest financially in Nepal if the terms were more
convenient. I am not
claiming that we would do this for purely altruistic reason,
but investing in Nepal
can help our own friends and relatives still living in Nepal
and by doing so we
will help the country as well. With a positive support from
government of Nepal,
we all become goodwill ambassadors for Nepal and can lure
others to invest in or
at least to visit Nepal. We can be a powerful lobby for
Nepalese interests abroad.
So purely from an economic viewpoint, Nepal has nothing to
lose and only to gain by
treating us well. Of course, beyond purely economic reasons,
there is a spiritual
connection binding Nepal to us and for that reason alone
Nepal should treat
us differently than other true foreigners.
Instead of dual-citizenship, perhaps we could call it
dual- nationality.
For example, I am a US citizen of Nepalese nationality. I
would like to request
the government of Nepal to establish a commission to study
this matter and
formulate specific recommendations including draft
legislation. Dual-national
could be defined as anyone who used to hold a Nepalese
citizenship or has at least
one parent who used to be a Nepalese citizen. This status
should be given to
Nepalis from any country in the world and not just from rich
western nations.
By establishing dual-nationality, Nepal will essentially be
acknowledging, in a
formal manner, the linkages that already exist between Nepal
and Nepalis no matter
where they live. Specifically, I would like this commission
to consider the
following for dual-nationals:
(1). Unrestricted visa: Getting a visa everytime we enter
Nepal is the most
irritating and humiliating issue to us. Nepal should allow
all dual-nationals
an unrestricted visa, perhaps something like a "green card"
as Mr. Hada from
New York has proposed. Even with this visa, a foreign
national's entry and
departure from the country could still be tracked at the
entry points.
2. Allow dual nationals the same travel freedom within Nepal
that is given to
all the Nepalese citizens.
3. Dual nationals should be charged the same amount as the
citizens for those
items where variable rates are currently in place (e.g., air
line tickets).
4. Allow dual-nationals to buy property, engage in business
etc. In all probability,
non-resident Nepalis will bring foreign currency as well as
expert skills into
Nepal and Nepal has nothing to lose by this arrangement.
5. Government should guarantee that foreign currency brought
in Nepal for
investment and the profits thus accrued can be converted back
to the original
currency in the future without much hassle.
Although most of these demands can perhaps be met by
simple administrative
fiats, I would like Nepal to formally establish and recognize
the dual-nationalship
status so that these benefits can not be easily taken away in
the future. The
establishment of a formal dual-national status will be
mutually beneficial to
both Nepal and former Nepalese citizens.
Ashutosh Tiwari
*********************
From: "Jeet Joshee" <jjo...@access.ced.uconn.edu>
Subject: Re: Dual Citizenship
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 18:30:38 -500
ALL:
Yes, I have also been reading some of the postings on this
dual citizenship
issue. Finally, we have begun some logical discussions. Few of
the earlier
postings were a bit POINTED and to some extent Out-of-Line
from the core
issue that Shayam Karki was trying to raise. Shyamji's e-mail,
which
started this thread of discussion, wasn't just about getting
Dual
Citizenship, he clearly stated alternatives such as NRN
(non-resident
Nepali) status and asked for volunteers to move the issue
forward. In
my opinion, all Shyamji was trying to do is to find a
systematic way to
approach the issue which affects many Nepalis living abroad.
Lets not
kill the messanger here. Because some went in great length to
talk about
the demand being insensitive to all the problems it would
cause Nepal, or
wanting "chichi pani papaa pani", and why should we get
preferential
treatment and so on. Well, I don't know if any one individual
or a group of
people can solve all the ills in Nepal, and really, who
defines what is
"chichi" and what is "papaa" in this issue.
Without being defensive and getting into any unproductive
discussions, I
just wanted to clear some things in my mind:
1) I don't think the dual citizenship and NRN issue is ANA
ONLY issue as it
was implied in some e-mails. It needs to be addressed by the
community as a
whole because it affects all who are in those situations
explained. Yes,
someone needs to take the leadership and take the initiative.
If it is
someone in ANA, so be it.
2) I find some concerned that if a law is passed in Nepal
allowing NRN/long
term visa/dual nationality/dual citizenship (whatever it may
be) would
create a big problem because a big number of people from India
would abuse
or take advantage of the law. Although I can see the validity
of the
concern, I am not sure if it is prevented from happening the
same now. Many
from India freely do business in Nepal, travel back and forth,
reside in
Nepal indefinitely, and I beleive, do carry both citizenship.
Don't we all
know the kind of tracking and cross-checking system Nepal has.
Therefore, the main issue here in my opinion is to work with
the Nepali
government to find a solution so that we can visit Nepal
without having to
apply for visas each time. Furthermore, making it friendlier
if someone
wants to invest, do some charitable work, start some
foundations is the
right thing to do. We shouldn't be treated as just another
foreigner. For
many of us living aborad, "karma bhumi" may be somewhere else
but "janma
bhumi" is still Nepal. I think Gauriji articulated nicely
about the
sentimental attachment we all have and the memories we keep
from Nepal. And
in all sincerity, we all try to teach our children some of
that heritage,
culture and tradition. And its not just us, people from around
the world do
the same, try and teach their heritage to new generations.
Nepal only wins. Great if some of us go back, retire, invest
and so on but
still good even if we just keep in touch and visit regularly.
Nepal
government has nothing to lose by recognizing Nepalis all over
the world.
Jeetendra Joshee
!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~!
Dr. J. Joshee, Assistant Dean
Ashutosh Tiwari
(See elsewhere in this thread)
This response first appeared in the Nepalimedia discussion list,
http://www.nepalimedia.org -- the site is temporarily down.
For further info, contact Kiran Limbu at: li...@post.com
*****************************
Date: Mar 28 2000 23:38:16 EST
From: GoN...@aol.com
Subject: Re: Dual Citizenship Holder Nepalis, Are You Nepali?
I find Rabindra Mishra's speculation regarding the issue of dual
citizenship
mostly guided by his seemingly naive patriotism, containing a lot of
assumptions and clearly lacks an in-dept knowledge about the life of the
people
for whom it matter a lot more than probably himsefl.
Broadly speaking there are two groups of Nepalese who are campainging
for a
dual citizenship. Firstly those who already have their second
citizenship
and
others who would like to have one due to more than just the financial
reasons
that Rabindra Mishra seems to point out.
Taking about the constitutional matters due to the discriminatory law
until
very recently a lot of Nepalese women (married to foreigners) were
forced to
leave their "homeland" because their husband would not get a visa to
live in
Nepal, even though they wanted to remain in Nepal. During the panchayat
autocracies it was not possible but now it is high time these Nepalese
who
due
to some stupid descriminatory legislation were forced to leave and at
some
point take the citizenship of another country.
Each person wishing to obtain a dual citizenship have their own reasons
and
of
course there are also those who wish to have a dual citizenship only due
to
the
financial reasons.
The key question is "what is best for the country?"
and an in-depth study has to be made to classify and prepare a policy on
this
very sensitive issue.
Gopal Lama
Sirish Raj Pande
--Sirish
mun...@my-deja.com
In article <Pine.GSO.4.10.100032...@isis.eecg.toronto.edu>,
Utaule
Ashutosh Tiwari
What follows is from Sushma Joshi (New York City)
*************************************************
>From: sushma joshi <subcont...@yahoo.com>
>Subject: The more the merrier
>Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 15:56:13 -0800 (PST)
>
>Pharkera Ke Painchha? - http://www.himalmag.com/pharka.htm
>
>On the theme of our favorite topic, citizenship,
>nationality and gender - after having to go through an
>emotional breakdown trying to wrest a passport out of
>our national beaureacracy (I had to pay one of those
>bhais outside the Nepal Rastriya Bank to fill in the
>mysterious maze of the Nepali passport forms, even
>though I got 79% in Nepali in my SLC exams), bribe a
>gazetted officer at a completely unknown ministry
>(Ministry of Minerals? Ministry of Flags?) rs. 300 to
>vouch that i was a Nepali citizen and forging my
>father's signature - please note that women in Nepal
>do not get their passports without these requirements
>-
>
>and then being stopped at every single border of
>Spain, France and England and being made to pay
>exorbitant fees that nobody else in the world pays
>anymore to enter a national boundary -
>
>and then being made to watch my friends who have lived
>all their lives in Nepal but happen to have a foreign
>father unable to get any papers
>
>my feelings on the matter is that national boundaries
>are arbitrary, and beaureacracies and moralistic,
>jingiostic talk about desh-prem even more so, and any
>human being that manages to amass not just two but
>three or even four passports are just wise beings who
>see the created nature of all false boundaries, and
>good luck to them
>
>as for all of you who are happy with one dinky
>passport - my suggestion to you, please don't impose
>these restrictions on all of us -
>
>best regards,
>Sushma Joshi
>New School for Social Research
The Pretender
not bad at all, especialy when the two countries involved are
(geographically) separated and when they are (politically) on friendly
terms.
"Sirish Raj Pande" <s...@eecg.utoronto.ca> wrote in message
news:Pine.GSO.4.10.100032...@isis.eecg.toronto.edu...
Sirish Raj Pande
I don't have much time to elaborate why dual citizenship is not good for
"Nepal". You can read others postings. They give a lot of insight. What we
are talking here is not just two countries. It's Nepal and other
countries. And the problem of geographical location of Nepal is, it's
beside India which has more than one billion people; besides, there are
various other factors like economy and stuffs.
I remember somebody quoting the permits for Nepalese abroad, the permit
being like that given by Indian government of Non-resident Indians. But
again, this should be executed with planned and strict rules. I can't
again define the terms "planned and strict rules". But it should only
encompass only Nepalese people abroad. I am "for" the permits, "not" the
dual citizenship.
--Sirish
Sirish Raj Pande
the world. That maybe because of various reasons, one of them is of course
the fact that Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and yet
others being branded as "smugglers", "illegal workers", "illegal
immigrants" and so on.
I don't claim I have done this and that or will do so and so for my
country or that I am more nationalist than others. But the question is if
you are treated unfairly in the international boundries and want to obtain
a passport/citizenship from a country which is more "civilized",
developed and rich, I would say go for it. But at the same time I would
not understand why do you need the passort/citizenship of Nepal, which is
poor, full of corruption and and has so many ministries that we don't
know. If you don't have to relation with Nepal, the solution is don't have
it. Get a citizenship from any Northern country and be happy. There is no
question of dual citizenship here.
On one hand, you see the cons of Nepal and even encourge it by bribing. If
you don't want to bribe, don't do it. And I had had my passport, filled
all the (odd?? -- ever filled the canadian income tax returns ) forms
nicely ( SLC marks don't really matter I guess :-) ). What I don't
understand from Ms Sushma is when she knows there are all these flaws in
the system of Nepal ( political and social -- like someone hating me
because I am some nasty racist sob bahun :)), why does she wants to have
citizenship of Nepal. I am not directing the question to her but the
people who advocate for the reason of dual citizenship.
Again I am not writing why we should not have dual citizenship. There has
been many postings already here. I am not "jingiostically" nationalist;
moreover, I may be completely "un"nationalist and don't proclaim I have
the deepest love for Nepal. And I still think dual citizenship is best for
me but worst for Nepal.
--Sirish
nepali...@my-deja.com
I agree with everyone who is against the dual citizenship? Dual citizen
ship bhayera k garnay?
regards
NepaliKancha
Nerapa
If I am not confused, most of European nation recognize dual citizenship and
they are not losing anything rather than boosting economy (investment and
marketing).
Seems like we are worried to introduce dual citizenship in Nepal because
Indians may capture market and economy. If we look deeply in this matter,
Indians are always involved in Neplaese economy and If they want, they can buy
nepalese citizenship at reasonable market price any time. Dual citzenship law
doesn't affect them. If is just our illusion.
GP
The Nepalis who have single passport and move or cross international
boundaries will be/ are called :
"smugglers", "illegal workers", "illegal immigrants" and so on
And those who have the capacity to change this image (padhe
lekheka dhani desh ma bashne haru), want to have passport
of developed countries for international travel, and want
to have Nepali Passport to enter into Nepal and stay there
for long time or make their old day in nepal as Gold days.
If you, the one who could change the bad image of Nepal,
are afraid of carrying Nepali passport across international
border why should you be granted the Nepali Passport? The
reasons are not valid and satisfactory, most of the time,
its reported (personal contact or means) the dual citizen
ship seekers are interested in continuing the Anshabanda
while getting the benefit of Citizenship of Developed
country, and its passport to cross international boundaries.
Someone recently wrote here that he cheated Nepal Govt.'s
rule of showing the certificate / proof of US2?? dollars
in Banks, and said in fact he used his Credit/????? other
forms, got a proof, while got the final cash again in
US Dollar while he claimed with proud that he was successful
to make fool Nepali officials. He still advocated the
need of dual citizenship? My question will be that
will dual citizenship contribute or meant to positive?
Or, just to cheat the weak legal system in Nepal? or
just to make good travel while giving an illusion
back in Nepal claiming "Oh! I am nepali, how can I
forget my country..." without any real positive contribution.
Considering all these facts, the dual citizenship seekers
should first illustrate how the can reciprocate the
positive benefits on both sides. That should be
a prime reason. I am personally, not convinced why
should Nepal have dual citizenship? Is it the main
things our country has to concentrate? Is our legal
system good enough to avoid any significant negative
impact or how are we going to screen those who really
need it for positive cause over those who wish
it just for a pride while entering Nepal, and avoiding
Nepali face across international border? Let these
things be clear. My observation is that our legal
system is too weak, and we are still ruled by people
and not by law, so, you may have to wait before become
ruled by law, and that means everybody will be treated
equally, and the money, and private relation will not
have practically not so significant influence. At this
moment, I don't see its happening very soon.
Meanwhile, Good luck to campaign.
GP
>
>
--
American Beauty clip:
"(Husband): Today I quit my job. Would you pass the
asparagus?
(Wife -- speaking to daughter): Your father seems to
think this kind of behavior is something to be proud of."
Ashutosh Tiwari
ONE PLATFORM, what folllows is from Rajesh Babu Shrestha in
Boston.
Enjoy,
oohi
ashu
******************************************************
Pharkera Ke Painchha? - http://www.himalmag.com/pharka.htm
Dear all,
As Shailendra Shuklaji remarked that the issue of dual-citizenship
seems to gain momentum every 10 years, I believe it is only going to be
more so in the future. We are seeing record number of Nepalis leaving
for abroad for opportunities for work, education, et. al. recently. As
the size of Nepali diaspora increases (and it is only bound to), the
issue of dual citizenship/nationality is probably going to come up more
and more often.
Former citizens of Nepal who are are now citizens of their adopted land
do face certain disadvantages when it comes to investing in Nepal: non-
citizens cannot own land or property in Nepal and are subjected to visa
restrictions. I suppose it is fair to assume that the number of former
Nepali citizens (guesstimated at few thousands in the West), would want
to invest in Nepal, given their own resources and expertise and the
emerging opportunities in Nepal. Furthermore, it would seem a loss to
relegate the former citizens, whose number is on the increase, to that
of mere foreign strangers, and deny them even a simplified access to
the country of their birth/origin.
However, opponents of the case for dual-citizenship also have a point,
especially the one about Nepal's geo-political situation. Doling out
dual citizenship does have a lot of risky and unexplored implications
for the mass of Nepalis and former Nepali citizens in India, Burma and
other countries and also the thousands of Bhutani refugees currently in
Nepal. Besides, there are national priorities too. Nepal is currently
going through the issue of a simple citizenship, let alone dual
citizenship. Nepal is still trying to grapple with the nuances of
citizenship (esp. in border areas) and has just begun distributing
identity cards. Regardless of the merits of dual citizenship, I think
Nepal is not ready for it -- not just yet.
Here comes the relevance of the notion of permanent residency for
former Nepali citizens. Since dual citizenship is too big and too hard
to handle right now, some sort of a PR status seems just the right
stepping stone. And it might even jive in with the identity cards -- if
the cards are played out right. Still however, proponents for the idea
need to do more than just bring out arguments that Nepal has nothing to
lose with the new provision for former citizens. If Nepal is to act, it
needs to be demonstrated that Nepal _will_ surely gain. There are a lot
of things that Nepal can do without losing anything; however unless it
actually have a gainful effect, it would only be a waste of an effort
on Nepal's part. Proponents of both the dual-citizenship and PR status
have to come up with a quantifiable figure for investment dollars that
would flow into Nepal as a result or even come up with such a fund in
advance as the Indian community has done. Only then, I believe, the
lobbying for the dual-citizenship or a PR status, would be realizable --
and gainful to Nepal as well.
Thanks to Hemendra Bohra and Shailesh Gongal for an interesting pre-
discussion on this subject.
Thank you.
Rajesh Babu Shrestha
Boston, Massachusetts
--
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To: "Pharkera Ke Painchha?" <pha...@listbot.com>
From: "Shailendra Shukla" <shu...@ufl.edu>
Subject: Re: Dual Citizenship Holder Nepalis, Are You Nepali?
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 09:37:52 -0500
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Pharkera Ke Painchha? - http://www.himalmag.com/pharka.htm
This interest in this subject seems to gain momentum every ten years or
----------
>Reply-To: ki...@egroups.com
>To: ki...@egroups.com
>Subject: [kitab] Dual citizenship
>Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 15:35:38
>
>Attracting investment to Nepal seems to be the carrot being held
>out to the Nepali government by ANA members. I would be very
>interested to get some information regarding investment by
>ANA members.
>
>1. What is the total amount of money invested so far by people
>of Nepali origin in Nepal? In the US? In other countries? How
>does this compare with the total foreign investment in Nepal?
>
>2. What specific obstacles have people of Nepali origins faced
>regarding freedom to travel in Nepal and in investing in Nepal?
>
>3. What specific terms/regulations regarding investing in Nepal
>do people of Nepali origins find objectionable and feel ought
>to be changed?
>
>As a promoter of small hydropower projets in Nepal I am very
>interested to know about potential investors in Nepal and would
>be interested to know of any obstacle that might be preventing
>foreign investment in Nepal.
>
>
>Girish
>
>***********
______________________________________________________________________
netjunkie
years in the service of people with different color, with NR
status in Nepal means amendment in the Costitution of Nepal.
The current provisions hold no such facilities like
non-resident or dual-citizen.
The government of Nepal, has different priorities and
committments. Instead of making these couple of hundred more
comfortable, I suggest the Nepalese Government not to go through
any kind of task of changing in the constitution itself. It will
be a another great waste of time for the interest of the country.
Rather devote their time and effort to make millions of ailing
Nepalese happy.
Let these "(once a nepali) kaags kaaraudain garos".
More over, can somebody explain me the reason for the love
generated towards the country whose citizenship they voluntarily
abandoned. Hope the cause is not senility alone!
* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet's Discussion Network *
The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet - Free!
netjunkie
, obsession or love towards the abandoned country without being
pathological or senile?
pri...@my-deja.com
> Someone recently wrote here that he cheated Nepal Govt.'s
> rule of showing the certificate / proof of US2?? dollars
> in Banks, and said in fact he used his Credit/????? other
> forms, got a proof, while got the final cash again in
> US Dollar while he claimed with proud that he was successful
> to make fool Nepali officials.
GP:
I assume you are referring to this post of mine that I posted about
three months ago.. just copy and post the following link if you can not
click on it:
http://x41.deja.com/getdoc.xp?AN=572743121&search=thread&CONTEXT=954808
256.1685979172&HIT_CONTEXT=954808197.1686568968&HIT_NUM=1&hitnum=10
First of all, I did not fool immigration officials by cashing $200 on
my visa card! Not only I told them I got $200 on my Visa card, but
also showed them the paperwork I got from Nabil Bank that clearly
showed the money I got was from my Visa card! It was me who was fooled
and cheated by those crook/corrupt Immigration officials when they said
Affidavit of support for me from my relatives was not acceptable! Their
rule said I had to show $200 to "survive" in Nepal and I did it! Their
rule did not say I had to spend that money in Nepal.. so I did not!
I was not proud to cash $200 and bring that to US.. rather, I was
bitter that I had to go through all that hassle to get my visa
extended.. If anyone who made money in this stupid process was Nabil
Bank . they made almost 10% out of me on cash advance fee plus
interest! I did not fool govt officials .. they were already fool to
ask me to show that $200.00 when they very well knew I had several
relatives in that country to provide me financial support.
> He still advocated the
> need of dual citizenship?
Now this is your another imagination not based upon fact! I may have
implied for necessity of a long term multiple entry visa, but I do not
think I ever "advocated" for dual citizenship! I did make a remark
once on this topic that you can see by clicking here.. (if you can not
click, please copy and paste!)
http://www.deja.com/getdoc.xp?AN=573396135.1
Finally, I am a US citizen.. am happy with my citizenship .. happy with
my adopted country .. am a registered Democrat.. voted twice for
Clinton... will vote for Al Gore coming November.. Does not matter what
he stands for.. as long as he is Democrat, he has my vote!
..Am much better here than I would have been in Nepal.. I do not need
to go to Nepal.. my whole family including whole bunch of far and close
relatives are in the US.. we always get together, argue, complain, and
fight just like in Nepal.. So I see no reason to go back to Nepal.. I
DO NOT NEED DUAL CITIZENSHIP!
I am not millionaire yet .. so no money to invest in Nepal (a popular
argument in favor of dual citizenship...!).. even if I become
millionaire, I will prefer to stay away from investing in Nepal.. I
just can't deal with Nepali Sarkari Karmacharis!
Hope this helps .. I rest my case! Thanks!!
Ashutosh Tiwari
Enjoy,
oohi
ashu
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Nepalimedia Discussion List - http://www.nepalimedia.org/
While not a Nepali myself, I am an immigrant and regret that I had to
give up my own country citizenship when I was (involuntarily)
naturalised
as US citizen. While my passport may indicate U.S. Passport with my
picture on it, I am no more an American than a Jivaro from Peru. In
other words, I consider myself Japanese. However, because there is no
dual citizenship agreement between Japan and the U.S., I cannot carry
both.
The question of taking on citizenship of another country and forsaking
one's own birth citizenship has been of concern to many people,
immigrant
and non-immigrant alike. I think that if Nepal had such dual
citizenship
agreement with the US, it would be of benefit rather than hinderance.
This would also enable a Nepali citizen to not only continue being an
official citizen of Nepal ( and thus eliminate the anguish of perhaps
having betrayed one's country by forsaking it), but to also enjoy the
benefits of US citizenship should one's domicile be here in the US.
I believe India has such an agreement with the US, so it behooves Nepal
to do the same. But, as Jeetendraji pointed out, many considerations
need to be taken into account, and hopefully, the "new"/renewed govt of
PM Koirala will be up to the task.
Aiko Joshi
"Those who do not try to create the future they want, must _endure_the
future they get."
"There haven't been many folk songs written for Capitalism, but there
have been many composed for Social Justice"
(Amartya Sen)