At the expense of education
In poor countries, where many people still make a living from agriculture, it is quite normal for children to help with the household and in the fields. Parents who do not own land lend their children to large landowners. Children who work, however, do not go to school and then receive no education and training. Like their parents, they have no way of improving their situation later.
The situation is even worse for girls than for boys, as girls are traditionally considered to be inferior and are then most likely to be denied education. For this they are allowed to toil as cheap household workers.
The Nepalese national dish
Some Asian cuisine is also known in Europe, from Indian curry to Thai rice dishes to Japanese sushi.
But what do you actually eat in Nepal? The country’s national dish is called Dal Bhat. It’s lentils and rice. These two ingredients are actually available everywhere. Depending on whether it is a normal day or a special occasion, something is added. Dal Bhat can be served all day long, whether for breakfast or dinner.
How do you eat in Nepal?
In Nepal people usually eat by hand. But not with just any one, only with the right one. As in many other countries, the left hand is considered unclean and therefore stays away from food. Neither the left nor the right should be used to touch a plate or glass of a Nepalese. With the Hindus, and most Nepalese are, the food would be contaminated.
Visiting Nepal
Anyone invited to dinner in Nepal as a guest gets the best impression of the local cuisine. It’s a lot more diverse than the national dish made from lentils and rice would lead you to believe. What is on the table then depends on where you would be invited. In the mountains, people like to eat dumplings made from barley flour and drink butter tea with them. In the valleys, flat, flat baked goods are more often served. But one thing is the same everywhere: the Nepalese appreciate punctuality and expect this from their guests – so don’t dawdle!
If you are invited into a house, you should take off your shoes. You may also know that from home. Now patience is required because there is still no real meal. Before the meal starts, you are served various appetizers and drinks with them. It is quite possible that paapad, a crispy lentil bread, will be served. There is of course water to drink, but also very sweet tea with milk.
Hopefully you haven’t filled your stomach too full with the small dishes, because now the real food is coming! To do this, you probably just sit down on the floor and either place the plate on a small table or simply on your lap.
Maybe you’ll get choyla, spicy meat served with mustard sauce. Depending on the season, there may be pakora, which are deep-fried vegetables in a thin batter. Or do you prefer the classic Aloo Toma, potatoes with bamboo shoots?
Whatever it is, you’re sure to get full. When you’ve finished eating, put the plate under a chair or in a corner. Have a nice chat now? No, not in Nepal. The invitation ends with the meal, so now it would be polite to say goodbye unless you are clearly asked to stay.
Problems
While the economy is growing in the neighboring countries of China and India, progress is only very slow in Nepal. As a country located in Asia according to animalerts, Nepal continues to be one of the 20 poorest countries in the world and is the poorest country in the region. The country has environmental problems such as air pollution, there is no functioning waste disposal system and the road network in Nepal is poorly developed. Another problem is the deforestation, which is causing soil erosion again. Environmental disasters and floods due to global warming continue to increase. It is said that one of the country’s opportunities lies in expanding hydropower. Then not so much wood would have to be cut down to generate energy. That would be a significant plus for the environment in Nepal.