A couple of years ago, in early 2018, I heard a calling from within. The message was simple: Whatever I was doing was not enough; I needed to do much more.
I was into a public sector job for the past four years and I believed that making a jump to something with social impact could help me bring about better tangible economic outcomes.
Now, my social impact initiatives are focused on poverty reduction, gender equity, women’s safety, and the environment. I am trying to protect and empower the very group of people that the government left behind, even during the Covid-19 crisis.
In 2014, I left the lure of the private sector to work for a newly instituted government agency. In the private sector, I was only helping a handful of shareholders make more money. In the government agency, I thought I could work towards making the lives of countless Nepalis better. Working for the government created an adrenalin rush. Countless community engagement plans, long and hard discussions with lawmakers, conflicts between the developer and the local community; each day brought a different set of challenges.
But, by 2018, the adrenalin rush had ebbed. Leadership changed; projects were stalled. Day by day, I found myself less effective. It was when I considered being a social entrepreneur and help people improve their lives. Two months after I left the government agency, I embarked on a mission: to make Kathmandu a safe, clean, and sustainable place.
My ventures have worked with Kathmandu and Lalitpur metropolitan city governments to create a renewable-powered and anti-traffic congestion system. The main spirit of these ventures was people; so I hired people from vulnerable households and communities.
But now, my projects have come to a complete stop due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Consequently, my employees have found it extremely difficult to make ends meet. Being a startup, I was unable to give them the required financial support. That is when I turned to the government for any possible help. I am still yet to hear back from them.
It is not rocket science to understand what is needed for startups/social initiatives up and running again, but it is rocket science to guess what the government has been thinking with respect to this. The government has not brought any financial measure for them so far. It does not have a plan on how to reopen the economy post-lockdown and whether the lockdown is really required. This is when startups like mine are throttled.
In this light, I recommend the government should give cash handouts and work on a strategy that leads to a reopening of the economy. We have plenty of options in the fiscal system for these handouts. With proper targeting, my employees will not feel the brunt of the Covid-19 crisis and can focus on work. Other social initiatives will operate in the same way.
Similarly, a ‘staggered’ reopening of the economy will allow daily wage earners to get back to work as soon as possible. My plea to the Nepal government is to help me help themselves.
Rimal is the founder of Discover City Pvt Ltd.
Rimal is the founder of Discover City Pvt Ltd.
