The Darker Side of Load-Shedding!

IIf you were brought up anywhere in Nepal, you grew up with load-shedding! And it has been a part of Nepalese living like momos and asking people if they ate as a greeting. But it is surprising the amount of load-shedding Nepalese people have to bear even at this current time, when rest of the world is getting ahead by leaps and bounds. It certainly puts not only the people in the dark, but the whole economy and the future of the country. 

            And the record load-shedding couldn’t have happened at the worst time. For instance, here’s the travel advice issued by Australian Government:

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/nepal. Among other things, it says “Shortages of essential supplies (food, water, fuel, gas and kerosene for cooking) can occur with limited notice. Black out (or load shedding) periods can have a significant impact on services, including in major tourist destinations.” Imagine that on the face of millions of visitors of the website most of whom are internet savvy 24/7 social networking average joes. I also remember reading similar comments on the American federal site last year. We can’t help other major issues like the unstable condition, not much anyway. At least, the government should try to provide the basic needs of the people.

            It is understood that the resources they are given may be little. But how long has this load-shedding been a problem in Nepal for? I remember it from as long as when we used to buy 2 rupees lollies after school. Maybe it is time to think out of the box. We all like to brag about how rich we are in water resources (2^nd richest after Brazil in the world). And the potential is huge!! But the project costs are massive and without foreign help, even the smallest plant is like “chheparoko katha”. Maybe it’s time to bring public investments in! Or even best, focus on other sources of energy, such as bio energy and solar power.

Rural parts of Nepal are already onto it. It is durable, not-so-expensive and eco-friendly. Even best, you’re in control. Western countries have been giving special grants to people who adopt these eco-friendly power for years now. Even African nations have realized, it is the way to go and they’re reaping the benefits already. Our government has shown very little interest in alternate energy sources though! At least a bit of encouragement and a little help for people would have been great help for everyone(the people, government, economy, environment…..) . But who can blame them, they’re too busy making the loadshedding timetables!

Kantipur TV have started broadcasting their 7PM evening news bulletin with the help of one lantern; dubbed the Lalteen Bulletin this is their symbolic protest against the 12 hour daily loadshedding which Kathmanduitees are currently facing. Their efforts have been praised by thousands and picked up by international media. (Source: lexlimbu.com) Here’s a video of KTV’s talk with the Energy Minister(I think the news host was a bit too pushy though! Lol) .