Abroad fever I happened to come across an article from a US-returned student Ramesh Deshar recently. I can surely understand how he felt when coming back from the land of opportunities he has to face the constant nagging of his friends and relatives. But that is what we all have been accustomed to - to think highly of people who can make it large in the US or other foreign countries no matter by doing whatever work and feel sorry and to pity those who do come back to their native country. Almost all of the young urban population wants to go abroad for education and then by hook or crook they stay there permanently. After all, they can live there to fulfill their dreams of an international degree, independence, highly paid jobs and a secure and luxurious life which is certainly lacking here. However, whatever we think of the foreign world seems to be an utmost fantasy than fact. This has been projected a lot of times through the media and the people who tend to come back to Nepal once in a blue moon. Life undoubtedly is not an easy affair even in the land of numerous opportunities where hard physical and mental work is a must to survive and become successful. The abroad returnees do stress on the truth but they do not suggest the young people to rather work and study here than go abroad. After all, in their words, "Everything must be experienced in a lifetime". I don't have any problem with people planning for further studies in the US because someday even I might go there to pursue my higher studies. And, I believe, it isn't a bad practice because students from other countries also come to study in Nepal, especially in the faculty of medical sciences. But I do have a problem with the young people who undermine their own birthplace and think that it's worthless to return to Nepal as their hard-earned degree would come to no use. That is a mere excuse as there are temptations which do not allow them to come back because those who do come back have helped this country in every possible way they can. I'm very proud of those individuals. It takes a lot of determination and courage to stand up to people and serve the land which has provided us with so much and helped us turn into what we are. Young people have to let go of the frustrations and the annoyance they feel as a result of problems they face here and try to solve the problems. The use of their knowledge and a little bit of patience can work miracles and I'm sure that all the young people are capable of this feat. Having written all this I want to assure Deshar that he didn't make a mistake by returning and I would like to cordially welcome him to his homeland and wish him luck for his service to Nepal. Posted on: 2007-09-11 21:14:45 (Server Time) http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=122263