Published on 10 Nov, 2025
Every day, thousands walk the crowded footpaths of Putalisadak, eyes glued to banners promising "Guaranteed Visa, Work and Study Abroad, Permanent Residency." It almost feels like a simulation—a programmed response passed down year after year.
A few months have already passed since the +2 results were published, yet the scene hasn’t changed. The cycle continues with students from all over the country arriving, consulting, applying, enrolling. It’s a well-oiled system: first comes the coaching center, then the language class, the documentation, the NOC, the flight.
Last year, 4.9 lakh students enrolled in Tribhuvan University and affiliated campuses. That same year, 1.54 lakh students took NOC letters and exited via TIA. These aren’t just statistics—they’re stories of dreams exported out of the country.
Putalisadak feels like a pipeline. One set of youth prepares for entrance exams to serve Nepal through institutions like IOE and IOM. Another sets its sights abroad, driven by dreams of better lives. Neither path is wrong. But what’s concerning is how predictable and unconscious it’s become. Most of us aren’t making intentional choices. We’re reacting—copy-pasting the decisions of seniors, siblings, or neighbors.
Of course, Nepal has flaws: slow systems, unstable governance, limited resources. But so did every country that’s now developed. What changed those nations wasn’t a miracle—it was the effort, persistence, and belief of its youth who stayed and built. So again: Why not Nepal? Why not us?
Instead of waiting for change or running from problems, why don’t we start building solutions? Learn a digital skill. Start a community project. Freelance online. Film stories. Teach others. Even the smallest action holds power.
Nepal isn’t empty of opportunity—it’s empty of people who believe in creating it. And that’s where the real tragedy lies. Look around. There are youths in remote districts running eco-tourism ventures. Creators filming village stories and reaching global audiences. Farmers going digital. Small businesses are booming through TikTok and Instagram. It’s happening. But those stories are quiet, because everyone’s too busy chasing the loud dream of going abroad.
The sad truth is: most of us aren’t leaving Nepal because we have no option—we’re leaving because it’s easier to follow than to create.
So let’s rethink. Let’s dream bigger—but not just beyond the borders. Let’s dream here, for here. Because the future of Nepal doesn’t just depend on policy. It depends on whether we decide to stay and shape it.
