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Nepal Now: On the Move

News & Politics Podcasts

We're talking with the people migrating from, to, and within this Himalayan country located between China and India. You'll hear from a wide range of Nepali men and women who have chosen to leave the country for better work or education opportunities. Their stories will help you understand what drives people — in Nepal and worldwide — to mortgage their property or borrow huge sums of money to go abroad, often leaving their loved ones behind. Despite many predictions, migration from Nepal has not slowed in recent years, except briefly during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. About 1 million Nepalis leave every year to work at jobs outside the country. Tens of thousands go abroad to study. Far fewer return to Nepal to settle. The money ('remittances') that workers send home to their families accounts for 25% of the country's GDP, but migration impacts Nepal in many other ways. We'll be learning from migrants, experts and others about the many cultural, social, economic and political impacts of migration. Your host is Marty Logan, a Canadian journalist who has lived in Nepal's capital Kathmandu off and on since 2005. Marty started the show in 2020 as Nepal Now.

Location:

United States

Description:

We're talking with the people migrating from, to, and within this Himalayan country located between China and India. You'll hear from a wide range of Nepali men and women who have chosen to leave the country for better work or education opportunities. Their stories will help you understand what drives people — in Nepal and worldwide — to mortgage their property or borrow huge sums of money to go abroad, often leaving their loved ones behind. Despite many predictions, migration from Nepal has not slowed in recent years, except briefly during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. About 1 million Nepalis leave every year to work at jobs outside the country. Tens of thousands go abroad to study. Far fewer return to Nepal to settle. The money ('remittances') that workers send home to their families accounts for 25% of the country's GDP, but migration impacts Nepal in many other ways. We'll be learning from migrants, experts and others about the many cultural, social, economic and political impacts of migration. Your host is Marty Logan, a Canadian journalist who has lived in Nepal's capital Kathmandu off and on since 2005. Marty started the show in 2020 as Nepal Now.

Twitter:

@now_nepal

Language:

English


Episodes
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Who is choosing to study and work in Nepal?

4/28/2025
I’ve said it to you listeners more than once: it seems that almost every young person I've met in Nepal in the last couple years was planning to go overseas, or knows someone who's doing so. Now I have proof, kind of. Yesterday I spoke to a researcher whose team surveyed a high school graduating class. 40% of the students said they want to go study abroad after graduation; another 40% said they hope to go work overseas. That's 80% — a huge number, but I'm not surprised. So when I meet someone in their 20s who graduated high school in Nepal, then did a bachelor’s degree, and then a master’s degree, and is now working in this country, I get curious. Today’s guest, Paribesh Bidari, tells me that the youngest people he’s working with in his various offices are in their 40s. And while he’s juggling many gigs to advance his career, he’s also making it a point to motivate his juniors to stay in Nepal. Tell us how we're doing, or just say hi Support the show You can subscribe to Nepal Now for as little as $3 a month. Your support will help to defray the costs of making the show. And you'll also get a shout-out in a future episode. You can also show your love by sending this episode to someone who you think might be interested or by sharing it on social media: LinkedIn Instagram BlueSky Facebook Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to PEI in Bankhundole and Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio. Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.

Duration:00:24:58

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Should students going abroad use education consultancies?

4/14/2025
Tell us how we're doing, or just say hi Just like coffee shops, it seems that education consultancies are multiplying faster than rabbits in Kathmandu. I’ve always wondered why prospective students spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of rupees to have someone fill out their overseas college and university applications for them. After all, if they've made it to Grade 12 or beyond, surely they must be able to do it themselves. So I was very happy to have nursing expert Radha Adhikari on the show to explain some of the reasons why it's not quite as simple as I thought. I think you'll agree that her information and insights are fascinating. Also, I am happy, and proud, to announce that Nepal Now is 100 episodes old! Thank you to everyone who’s listened since 2020. That’s when I started the show as a way to broaden the conversation about ‘development’ and Nepal, and to share more of the kinds of interviews that I was already doing, instead of having them reduced to just a couple of paragraphs in an article. For those of you still listening, I have just one request: Feedback please! I know you’re out there, but I really want to know what you’re thinking. Love the show – fantastic; hate it – not so good, but tell me anyway. Even better if you have suggestions. It’s extremely easy to get in touch. Send a text by clicking on the link at the top of the notes to this episode, or message us on social media. We’re @nepalnowpod. Questions or comments: email me at nepalnowpod(at)gmail.com. Support the show You can subscribe to Nepal Now for as little as $3 a month. Your support will help to defray the costs of making the show. And you'll also get a shout-out in a future episode. You can also show your love by sending this episode to someone who you think might be interested or by sharing it on social media: LinkedIn Instagram BlueSky Facebook Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to PEI in Bankhundole and Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio. Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.

Duration:00:27:53

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Maya migrated to support her family, got shamed by her community

4/1/2025
Tell us how we're doing, or just say hi It’s been more than a dozen years since Maya Sherpa returned from working in Kuwait. Today she devotes herself to helping other returned female migrant workers readjust to life in Nepal. One reason why she's so committed to that work is because of the violent reaction she faced, not as a migrant in Kuwait but after she returned to her community in Nepal. My three takeaways from today's conversation are: This is episode 99! We want your ideas about how we should mark #100. Text us at the link in the show notes or message us on social. We're (at)nepalnowpod. We have a newsletter! Check out the first issue and subscribe for the next ones. These episodes are linked to Maya's story—check them out: Women migrant workers: Lift the ban and get positiveNepal unprepared to reintegrate women migrant workersSupport the show You can subscribe to Nepal Now for as little as $3 a month. Your support will help to defray the costs of making the show. And you'll also get a shout-out in a future episode. You can also show your love by sending this episode to someone who you think might be interested or sharing it on social media: LinkedIn Instagram BlueSky Facebook Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio. Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.

Duration:00:22:46

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His children all migrated but Rajendra is happy in Nepal

3/17/2025
Tell us how we're doing, or just say hi Hi everyone. I have to admit that I had a pretty good idea of what this episode was going to be about, how it was going to unfold, as they say. I was talking to the father of three daughters, grown daughters, all living overseas, and I thought that he and his wife were planning to go live with them in the US, but I was wrong. You're gonna have to listen to find out exactly how I was wrong, but I will say that it was one of the most enjoyable interviews I've done in a long time. I spent just over an hour with Rajendra, but I think we hit it off pretty quickly and got into some pretty personal areas quite fast and had a lot of fun, some laughs, and I think he also enjoyed it. I'm really curious to hear what you think. So let me know. I want to give a shout out to S.U., I only have their initials, who posted online about Nepal Now: they are "fascinating and insightful interviews and discussions that share so much about lived experience in Nepal. I am listening while on a trip in Nepal." Thank you very much for that review, which S.U. posted in May, 2024. I feel bad that I only found it recently. If you're interested in supporting the show, but, can't do it financially at the moment, one of the next best things you can do is leave us a review. It might help introduce a newcomer to the show and turn them into a listener, which would be great. Support the show I want to give a huge shout-out to Prem Awasthi. He was the first guest of Nepal Now in 2024 when we shifted our focus to migration, and was also the first listener to subscribe to the show. You can subscribe for as little as $3 a month. Your support will help to defray the costs of making the show. And you'll also get a shout-out in a future episode. You can also show your love by sending this episode to someone who you think might be interested or sharing it on social media: LinkedIn Instagram BlueSky Facebook Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio. Nepal Now is produced and hosted by Marty Logan.

Duration:00:26:20

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No-cost, or low-cost, labour migration is not just a dream

2/24/2025
Send us a text Khakendra Khatri paid 7 lakh or 700,000 Nepali rupees (about 5,000 USD) for a job in Russia, but soon after arriving he realized that he was being sent to the front line of the Russia-Ukraine war. Desperate, he bribed a commander, and then escaped by walking through a forest overnight with a group of other trafficked Nepalis. Needing work to feed her children, Sushma found a recruiter to send her to join her aunt working in Kuwait but got sick and returned to Nepal after three months. The recruiter’s calls began soon after she returned, demanding that she pay him more than 3 lakh. Both Khakendra and Sushma filed reports with police, and they, and their families, are now deep in debt. Welcome to Nepal Now: On the Move. My name is Marty Logan. This is the podcast that talks to some of the hundreds of thousands of people migrating from — and sometimes to — this small country surrounded by global giants China and India. Months later we reach out again to find out if reality in their new, temporary, home is meeting expectations. Occasionally we call in an expert to try and better understand all of this movement. The stories of Khakendra and Sushma, which you might remember from earlier episodes, make the idea of ‘fee-free’ migration sound like a dream. But it’s not. Today we're speaking with Upasana Khadka, a migration expert who is working on both no-cost and low-cost migration, which do both actually happen. This chat opened my eyes to how labour migration from Nepal is intertwined with global events, such as criticism of forced labour in countries including Malaysia. Upasana, who founded Migration Lab in Kathmandu, also highlights what is becoming a theme in this podcast: the positive aspects of migration. Thanks again to Upasana Khadka for coming on the show. You wouldn't have guessed it, but this is the first time she has overcome her nerves to speak on a podcast, so I feel honored that she chose Nepal Now. I want to give another shout-out, to Prem Awasthi. He was the first guest of Nepal Now in 2024 when we shifted our focus to migration, and was also the first listener to subscribe to the show. If you're curious about subscribing, click on the Support the Show link under Resources in the show notes, wherever you're listening to this. There you can choose from various amounts of monthly support starting at three dollars. The money will go first to paying our costs for hosting and editing the show. Resources Tricked into going to Russia, Khakendra fled before reaching the front lines Three months in Kuwait: The story of migrant worker Sushma Migration Lab Support the show Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:29:51

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Being a migrant in Trump's US - journalist Tanka Dhakal

2/10/2025
What do you think? Send us a text Hi everyone. Today we're speaking with Tanka Dhakal, a journalist who’s currently doing a Master’s degree in the US. He’ll tell us about how the targeting of migrants in that country affected a city council meeting he was reporting on. But what I think is even more interesting is Tanka’s personal reaction to that meeting. But before we get to that, I want to let you know that you can now support Nepal Now with a monthly subscription. This is totally voluntary, but if you want to do it the cost starts at 3 US dollars a month, up to $10. You choose the amount. The money will help defray my costs for making the show. For now, you can subscribe only by credit card, which I know isn’t possible for everyone – if you really want to support us and don’t have a credit card let me know and we can work out a mobile money transfer. Depending on where you’re listening to this, you might see a link in the episode notes called Support the Show, under the resources heading. Click on that. Otherwise, go to nepalnowpod.buzzsprout.com, then click on Subscribe to see your options. Welcome to Nepal Now: On the Move. My name is Marty Logan. This is the podcast that talks to some of the hundreds of thousands of people migrating from — and sometimes to — this small country surrounded by global giants China and India. Months later we try to reach out again to find out if reality in their new, temporary, home is meeting expectations. Occasionally we call in an expert to try and better understand all of this movement. Back to today’s episode. You’ve probably heard about the list of 1,300-plus names of undocumented Nepalis who are supposed to be deported from the US. I heard a rumour last week that about 100 have already been returned, but there’s been no confirmation. I think what Tanka’s account makes clear is that you don’t need to be undocumented to be living in fear in the US today. A couple of notes before we start: Tanka mentions that Nepalis have paid 50 lakh to 70 lakh to travel to the US illegally. That’s roughly $36,000 - $50,000. I’ve heard of people paying even more. He also talks about university students with DACA status. Known also as ‘dreamers’, those are undocumented people who entered the US as minors. Resources Article - US to deport 1,365 Nepalis Support the show Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:30:30

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Nepal unprepared to reintegrate female migrant workers

1/13/2025
What do you think? Send us a text Hi everyone. I’m sorry for the delay in releasing this episode. In a minute, we’ll get to this week’s chat about how female migrant workers are treated after they return to Nepal, but first I want to share some personal news. My stepfather passed away in December, which changed everything. Like many of us he was a migrant. Born on a farm 90 years ago in northwestern Ontario, the centre of Canada, when he was a young man he moved 2,500 km away to Vancouver on the Pacific Ocean. Soon after he moved even further, across what was then Georgia Strait, now the Salish Sea, to Vancouver Island, where my family lived. After he retired, my wife and I, then living in central Canada, encouraged him to visit his hometown. But insisting that he was afraid to fly, he always said no. He also refused to make the trip by train or car. I think maybe he had just become too much of a homebody at that point, preferring to spend his time caring for his yard and small house in a small city. I dedicate this episode to my stepfather, Joe. This week we’re talking with Sunita Mainali, Executive Director of WOREC, an NGO that works on a broad range of women’s issues. As I said, we’re talking mainly about what happens to female migrant workers after they return from working abroad. As you’ll hear, I just assumed that the focus would, and should, be on finding work for these women in Nepal. But I learned quickly that without social reintegration there can be no economic reintegration. One note: Sunita mentions the GCM. That is the Global Coordination Mechanism, an international treaty on migration developed by the United Nations. Resources WOREC website Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:33:27

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On the move from Kathmandu to Kabul: 2024's top episode

12/16/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Hi everyone. Today we’re replaying our most popular episode of the year. Like every migration story, it is a unique one. Prem Awasthi moved to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, almost exactly one year ago to start a new job with the United Nations. We talked with him just hours before his plane left Kathmandu, to hear his expectations of this new stage in his life, and the life of his family. Welcome to Nepal Now: On the Move. My name is Marty Logan. This is the podcast that talks to some of the hundreds of thousands of people migrating from — and sometimes to — this small country surrounded by global giants China and India. Months later we reach out again to find out if reality in their new, temporary, home is meeting expectations. Occasionally we call in an expert to try and better understand all of this movement. Not only did we talk with Prem Awasthi before he left Nepal, we caught up with him six months later to see how his new life compared to what he imagined before leaving. What struck me most about our second conversation was his feeling that already his roots to his homeland were getting shallower. Thank you to everyone who listened in 2024. Focusing solely on one issue – migration – was something new for Nepal Now, so I hope you enjoyed that approach. Whether you did, or didn’t, you can send a comment or an idea for a future episode by clicking on the link at the top of these show notes. Message Nepal Now on social – we’re @nepalnowpod on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook. You can also email me at nepalnowpod(at)gmail.com. I’ll talk to you next time. Resources Follow-up episode with Prem Awasthi Updated trailer explaining why we do this show Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:28:15

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Pragati Nepali plans to further her design career by migrating to work in Jordan

12/4/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Pragati Nepali is just 19 but already she has been married, migrated to work in neighbouring India, and then moved to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu for other opportunities. That’s where friends told her about a job in a garment factory in Jordan. When we talked last week she estimated that she might be finished her paperwork and winging toward the Middle Eastern country by mid-December. Jordan is one of very few Middle Eastern countries to which the Government of Nepal allows women to migrate for work. That’s because of past incidents of violence against women migrant workers in the region’s countries. We talked about this ban earlier this year in our chat with expert Sadikshya Bhattarai. The flow of migrant workers from Nepal to Jordan has never been huge, peaking at just over 2,700 in 2016-2017 and then falling to just 621 in 2022-23. Regardless, tens of thousands of women have made the trip to other countries in the region illegally, often being trafficked through India. We spoke with one such woman, Sushma, earlier this year. Pragati says an aunt working in Jordan encouraged her to apply for a job in the factory, which reportedly makes clothing for Nike and other brands. Pragati has already set out a path after she completes her three-year contract in Jordan: she will return to her home district, Mugu, and start a design business. Resources Nepal labour agreement with Jordan, 2017Flow of migrant workers from Asia to JordanWomen migrant workers from Nepal: Lift the ban and get positive Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:22:32

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UPDATE: Nepal graduate in Canada desperately looking for a job

11/18/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Today we’re catching up with Aayush Pokharel, a graduate student in Canada who we first talked to in May. This year, the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has severely cut the number of temporary residents it allows into the country, including international students. It also chopped the number of temporary work permits for grad students like Aayush, which are usually followed by a chance to apply for PR — permanent residency. Many temporary residents in Canada now worry that their PR dream is disappearing. While Canada’s new rules have led to a spike in students applying for asylum, or refugee protection, Aayush says he’s not worried that he won’t qualify for PR – he just wants to get a job where he can use his education. Otherwise, what was the point of leaving Nepal? Resources Our first interview with Aayush Pokharel Recent update from The Globe and Mail Growing number of students claiming asylum Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:30:20

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Tricked into going to Russia, Khakendra fled before reaching the front lines

11/4/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Of all the reasons I’ve heard for Nepalis migrating to work abroad, this one was the most shocking: to fight for the Russian Army in its invasion of Ukraine. The news first reached the mainstream media in mid-2023 but long before that, photos of young Nepali men posing in Russian Army uniforms had been circulating online. For the unemployed, or under-employed, Russia quickly became the newest, fastest way to earn foreign currency, topped up in some cases with the promise of an appealing foreign passport. But soon after, news of growing numbers of battlefield deaths began making headlines, and calls grew for the Nepal Government to intervene. It did ask the Russian government to prevent recruitment, which seems to have happened in recent months, according to reports. But the government says 40 Nepalis are confirmed to have died fighting for Russia and an even larger number of corpses are undergoing DNA tests. Today’s guest, Khakendra Khatri, was planning to go work in South Korea when he was approached by a Nepali recruiter in Dang district. At first he wasn’t interested but the man persisted for more than a month to sell him the dream. Finally, Khatri agreed that the conditions offered were worth his recruiter’s fee of 7 lakhs (700,000 rupees or 5,200 USD) to buy a spot. He was promised a 5-lakh monthly salary, permanent residency in Russia after 1 year, and the chance to procure a visa in a western country. Khatri was told that he would be cooking for the soldiers, behind the front lines, but when he got closer to the battlefield he saw that wasn’t accurate—he had been designated as a fighter. The Nepali man quickly started negotiating a way out. A quick note before we start: SLC means school leaving certificate, or a grade 10 diploma. You'll notice that the sound quality isn't at its usual level in this episode. That's because we were missing some equipment in the studio so we had to go to Plan B to produce this one. Apologies for that. Resources Article about Khakendra Khatri, Centre for Investigative Journalism Nepal 40 deaths confirmed of Nepalis fighting in Russian Army – Kathmandu Post article Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:23:31

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Why are so many Nepalis leaving their country?

10/21/2024
What do you think? Send us a text You might know Nepal as home to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, as the place where the Buddha was born, or as the location of many sites sacred to the world’s Hindus. This country is also a geopolitical hotspot, encircled by the world’s giants—China and India—eying one another warily over the Himalayan range. I’m Marty Logan. As a Canadian journalist who’s lived here going on 13 years, what astonishes me about Nepal is the ever rising number of people leaving the country to find work, or to study. About 70,000 a month are flying out for jobs overseas, mostly to Malaysia and Persian Gulf countries, South Korea and Japan. Do the math and that’s more than 800,000 a year, from a country of 29 million people. Of course most come back, after 2, 3 or more years abroad. Some of them stay home but many leave again as soon as they scope out a new opportunity. For decades huge numbers of the poorest Nepalis have been walking across the open border to India to work. The practice is so ingrained that these workers aren’t even counted—they could number 500,000 or a few million. 300 students a day are getting written permission to migrate so they can study abroad, at last count. Many don’t return after graduating. They settle in their new country and become non-resident Nepalis. What happens to these people who shift their lives abroad in order to improve the lives of those they leave behind? Many—but not all—workers send money home regularly, providing a steady income, something elusive in Nepal. Some even save. But what about family relationships when loved ones live apart year after year? Of husbands and wives, migrant parents and their children, migrant children and their aging parents left alone in Nepal? Although it’s changing fast, most Nepalis still live in multigenerational joint families rather than nuclear ones, where children are expected to care for their elders as once they were cared for. What’s happening to this country, from which nearly every young person I meet wants to flee as fast as possible while, ironically, Nepal’s allure as a global tourism hotspot continues growing. In one way Nepal benefits massively—remittances from abroad now make up about a quarter of its gross domestic product. But villages are emptying and fewer farmers remain to grow the food the country needs. Of course, migration from poorer to wealthier countries is a global trend, so you can hear echoes in Nepal of other peoples’ journeys, but Nepalis’ experiences are unique to them. On this show we talk to the people leaving—and sometimes returning to—this country. If possible we check in with them after they’ve settled in their new homes, to learn if the reality matches their expectations. Occasionally we talk to officials or experts to better understand why so many Nepalis are on the move. We post new episodes every two weeks. Like, follow or subscribe now so you don’t miss the next one. Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:04:35

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Another nurse leaves Nepal, despite prime minister's appeal

10/14/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Nurses. I don’t know about you but when I think of people migrating for better opportunities one of the first groups that comes to mind is nurses. Not only in Nepal: I know that this is a huge issue for Caribbean countries and I read recently that in Nigeria, midwives too are being recruited to work in countries of the north. Back in Nepal, over a third of nurses have sought documents that would permit them to practise overseas, I read in one media report. I met Sudipa Poudel about 1 ½ years ago in Chitwan, a district in south-central Nepal. She was working as a school nurse and I believe she mentioned then that she might be going to work abroad soon. So when I caught up with her last month I wasn’t that surprised to hear that she was on her way to Canada. The big question was ‘why’? You’ll have to keep listening to hear her answer, but for now I’ll say that Sudipa has already come a long way since she became a nurse a decade ago. Please listen now to my chat with Sudipa Poudel, recorded at Himal Media at Patan Dhoka. Her words are interpreted by Heema Rai. Resources Nigerian midwives being recruited along with nurses — article One-third of Nepali nurses consider moving — article Prime Minister Oli appeals to youth to return home - article Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:24:45

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Climate change, floods, disaster, migration

10/1/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Today we’re doing something different. We’re devoting this episode to last weekend’s huge rain, the flooding and other disasters it spawned, and the climate migrants who will emerge from these incidents. And here I’d like to give my condolences to the family and friends of the more than 200 people confirmed killed in the devastation. I know: last week I guaranteed we would share the episode about the nurse migrating to Canada but I thought the topic of climate migration — which I’ve been wanting to discuss for a while — was just too timely to postpone. This episode also has a different format. I have two guests: Sagar Shrestha, Director of the Disaster Management Department at the Nepal Red Cross Society and Manjeet Dhakal, Head of the LDC Support Team and Director, at the South Asia office of Climate Analytics. I recorded this very quickly so the first chat with Sagar, which we did Sunday night, lacks the usual introduction and goodbye, and the quality is not quite up to our usual standard. I recorded with Manjeet on Monday evening. He was in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, so the line wasn’t crystal clear either. One note: Unfortunately, since Monday the number of confirmed deaths has risen to 209, as I’m recording on Tuesday, and dozens more people are still missing Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:32:49

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Another Nepali nurse on the move

9/23/2024
What do you think? Send us a text This is a very short episode, basically to say that we are behind schedule so this week's episode is delayed until next week. We think that it will be worth the wait, as we'll be talking to one of many nurses from Nepal who are leaving the country for better opportunities abroad. In fact, this is not a trend only in Nepal; nurses throughout the global South are moving North for what they see as better working and living conditions. Please watch for the new episode to drop in your feed next week. Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:01:51

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Kathmandu-Kabul-Kathmandu: Prem Awasthi feels his roots getting shallower

9/10/2024
What do you think? Send us a text From Kathmandu to Kabul is not really that far in this era of daily intercontinental flights. And today’s guest Prem Awasthi is also fortunate in that he gets to make the return trip home at least every six weeks. But still, he already feels that less than a year after migrating to work abroad, his roots in his homeland are somehow shallower. If you missed it, Prem was the first ever guest of the show after we relaunched earlier this year to focus solely on migration and Nepal. In that chat, he told us about his early life in Doti district, in Nepal’s Far West region. When he spoke you could hear his deep attachment to that place, so I wonder—for him, does living and working in Kabul not only mean being away from his country, but does it also signify one more step away from his deepest roots, in his home village? In our latest chat, which we recorded at Himal Media in Patan Dhoka, we also discuss if Prem has become comfortable in his new, less visible role, on a much larger team, that he’s taken on in Afghanistan. His tasks there are much different than during the nearly two decades that he worked on the frontlines of humanitarian assistance for the UN in Nepal. Finally, Prem has some thoughts for others who might be contemplating a similar move. Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:34:07

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Not a migration story: Dr Rojina Shilpakar

8/6/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Today’s episode is not a migration story; you could even call it a non-migration story. I’m chatting with someone successful enough in her field that you could easily imagine her skills being in demand in many other countries, and that she could leave Nepal if she wished. But of course she hasn’t. Like many Nepalis, Dr Rojina Shilpakar went to Bangladesh to study medicine, then returned to Nepal. Searching for a niche, she found it quite fast at Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, performing surgery on survivors of burns. Today she is deputy medical director at the hospital, a trainer of burns surgery at the regional level, and an advocate for training of health personnel working outside Kathmandu, so that burn survivors who arrive in the capital have a better chance of survival. As much as I enjoyed this conversation, I hesitate to draw any lessons from Rojina’s story that might apply to Nepal more broadly. The experiences she’s lived and the decisions she made are unique to her. What I do know from our chat, is that she has been able to find a job in Nepal that challenges her and that she is devoted to. I wish that more people will find themselves in such a situation. Thank you as always to Himal Media for welcoming me into their studio for this recording. And a warning: there are some graphic descriptions of surgery in this episode. Please take care while listening. Resources Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital, Facebook page Interburns network Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:33:47

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Why Japan is #1 for students; a new sound coming

7/30/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Up until now I've been recording most of these episodes speaking into a half-empty clothes cupboard. It's sounded surprisingly good, at least to me, but from next week I will have a slightly more professional setup: a dedicated — though tiny — space, basic soundproofing on the walls, and a new mic. I hope we'll be able to hear the difference. In migration news this week, I came across an article featuring data on students going overseas to study in the past year. I must admit that my western bias shows when I say that I didn't even imagine the country that was the #1 destination — Japan. Why Japan? Thanks to a engaging documentary by Dipesh Kharel, The Japanese Dream: Nepali students in Japan, I learned that there are many reasons. First, visa requirements are easier for Japan than for some other countries. Once there, students can work part-time — a set number of hours a week — which is also key. By the way, according to the documentary, there were 45,000 Nepali students in the country in 2023. This compares to 5,000 Nepalis in total in Japan in 2005. A fun fact that I learned: there are 600 Nepali restaurants in Tokyo alone. Dipesh follows a handful of students, from when they're studying Japanese in Nepal and planning to migrate, to their arrival in Japan and in later years, juggling responsibilities of work and family. I like that he doesn't paint a fake, rosy portrait, but shows some of their hard times also. There's a particularly poignant scene when he's interviewing the father of Rajkumar, who's now in Japan. The father tells him that the day his son learned that he got his visa he had the equivalent of $18. Six days later he had raised $15,000 so his son could migrate. "I can't pay this back," he told his son, meaning the burden was now shifted to the young man. Resources Nepali students' destinations Documentary about Nepali students in Japan, by Dipesh Kharel Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:07:04

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Investigating mistreatment of migrant workers—journalist Pramod Acharya

7/22/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Mistreatment of migrant workers, especially those forced to work in hot, dangerous conditions, created huge headlines in the run-up to the Qatar World Cup in 2022, thanks in part to the work of today’s guest—journalist Pramod Acharya. Pramod’s subsequent reporting also made the news globally. Also done in collaboration with journalists around the world, it spotlighted the conditions faced by Nepalis and others working in Amazon warehouses in Saudi Arabia, and led to Amazon changing some of its work practices. For that reporting, Pramod and his colleagues have received numerous nominations and awards, including—for the Amazon work—the Excellence in International Reporting award from the Asian American Journalists Association and the Human Rights Press Award, from Human Rights Watch and others. Today he’ll tell us how and where he got his start in journalism, how migration from Nepal has changed in the decade since he started investigating it, and the role that the media might play in making positive change. Resources One of Pramod’s reports on the Qatar World Cup A report from Pramod on Amazon warehouses Centre for Investigative Journalism, Nepal Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:29:29

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2/3 of manpower agencies suspended; brain drain or brain circulation?

7/16/2024
What do you think? Send us a text Last week the show reached 80 episodes. It's not a significant number, except that it brings us closer to what will be a milestone—100 episodes. I figure we'll reach that at around the end of the year, and will definitely want to mark it somehow. Maybe with T-shirts, other 'merch', or a Best Of episode? How about an online party? If you have any ideas to celebrate, send them along using the text message link at the top left of these notes. In migration news this week, Republica newspaper reported that the government had put 'on hold' 548 manpower agencies. These are the companies that arrange jobs for migrant workers going abroad, and which are constantly being accused of over charging and otherwise trying to take advantage of workers. 548 is a huge figure, given that the total number of agencies is said to be about 850 - 870, but based on the accusations that fly around about deceitful agencies, it's not all that surprising. The big question for me is: will these companies soon be let off the hook or will they actually be punished somehow? This week's other news that I noted is an argument that the 'brain drain' of educated students should actually be considered a 'brain circulation'. The authors suggest that eventually the students give back a huge amount to their home countries, via remittances and other means. I would like to see more statistics behind these claims, but it's certainly an interesting theory. Next week we'll be speaking with Nepali journalist Pramod Acharya. His reporting about Nepalis working in Persian Gulf countries, especially those building stadiums for the World Cup in Qatar and others working in Amazon warehouses in Saudi Arabia, has earned him many awards and high praise. Let us know what you thought of this week's episode, on social media, via email or text message. Resources Manpower agencies suspended Brain drain or brain circulation? Send us feedback and ideas. We'll respond to every message: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Voicemail Music by audionautix.com. Thank you to Himal Media in Patan Dhoka for the use of their studio.

Duration:00:07:39