Bhojpure and Pire,

Nepal does not exist in a vaccuum. We have businessmen coming from other nations, like many Marwaris, who don't seem to have much scruples in bribing or doing whatever to get an advantage in the market. And I don't want to simply point at Marwaris, because now many business houses seem to be employing similar tactics.

My question is: considering the disadvantage that Nepal has in terms of resources, geography (location), infrastructure, economic status etc, can businessmen, bureaucrats and political leaders afford to be good and honest?
I know this is a difficult question to ask. And I also know that it seems dangerous that I am asking this question at all. The danger is that people may justify their corruption because, well, यस्तै हो सबै जानाले गरी रहेको छ excuse.

I know that common people like you and I are inclined to adamantly say 'yes' there should no excuses like that because it is what is expected from the "educated." But let us take a step back from making a gut response. Why would we step back? Because perhaps if we step back, we can better understand where these businessmen, bureaucrats and politicians are coming from. I think it is too easy for us to just demonize these 'ghusias.' How is it that many of these people who find themselves in those roles become corrupt? I mean if corruption starts becoming the norm in a society, as it is in Nepal, I don't think the solution is to increase our demonization. That just increases cynicism. And you have to admit, I think there is enough cynicism in Nepal to the point that people tend to blow off any thing that seems moderately positive.

Someone defined insanity as doing the same things and expecting different results. So maybe its time to actually step back and be more sympathetic to these people that we tend to simply demonize and spit at. I wonder if there are severe challenges to being a businessman, bureacrat or politician in a challenged nation like Nepal that many of us living in America do not fully appreciate. And maybe if we actually understand where they are coming from, we would come one step closer to influencing them in a more positive way than just dismissing them as 'corrupt ghusias.'

Your thoughts?