Kulman Urges Youth to Join the 'Ujyalo Nepal' Campaign

Kathmandu – Former Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), Kulman Ghising, has called on the youth to join the ‘Ujyalo Nepal’ (Bright Nepal) campaign he initiated.

Addressing a declaration and oath-taking program organized by the National Youth Parliament in Kathmandu on Thursday, Ghising made this appeal.

The campaign, which began in Bahrain, is now gaining momentum in Nepal. In a special event held in the capital, Ghising urged youth to be part of the collective journey toward building a prosperous Nepal. During the program, he shared his life experiences, achievements in the energy sector, and the crucial role of Nepalis at home and abroad, presenting a new vision for national prosperity.

“The country must be built, and the younger generation must take the lead in creating a prosperous Nepal. We can do it – it must begin with us. The pessimistic narrative that ‘nothing happens in Nepal’ must be broken,” said Ghising. “Young people themselves must take leadership roles,” he added, emphasizing the leadership mantra of “Listen, Learn, and Lead.”

He stressed that before leading others, one must be able to lead oneself. “Those who wish to change the country must first change themselves. Leadership has the power to shift the entire system and institutions,” he said.

Ghising, who was dismissed by the government four months before the end of his term last Chaitra (March–April), stated that he is no longer interested in holding any political appointment.

He noted that while Nepal has undergone significant political changes, the expected development has been hindered by a lack of leadership.

“Though political leadership may have succeeded, attention was not given to development leadership,” he said. “Leadership in development requires strong management and execution skills.”

Highlighting the Youth and Foreign Workforce
Sharing his recent experiences visiting Gulf countries, Ghising reminded that over 1.5 million Nepali youth are working abroad and that the nation’s economy heavily depends on their labor.

“Around a quarter of our GDP comes from remittances, yet their labor is not respected,” he said.
“Many skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable Nepalis abroad want to return and contribute, but the current generation must create an environment for them to do so,” he added.

“Electricity Alone Isn’t Enough for Prosperity”
Reflecting on his tenure at NEA, Ghising said:

“We ended load-shedding, expanded electricity access to rural areas, and turned a loss-making NEA into a profitable one. But the light of electricity alone isn’t enough to ensure the country’s prosperity.”

He added,

“Many sectors in our country remain in darkness. Only by eliminating these dark areas can we realize true prosperity.”

Ghising defined ‘Ujyalo Nepal’ as a movement that transforms despair into hope.

“This campaign represents our collective dream of national prosperity, development, good governance, job creation, and self-reliance,” he said. “We must now move forward with the belief that it is possible to do this from within our own country.”

He said the essence of the campaign is to bring light not just in the political sphere but also in local governance, development sectors, and public mindset.

“This is not just a political campaign—it is a movement for social transformation,” he stated.

Responsibility on the Youth
Addressing the 165 ‘youth parliamentarians’ at the event, Ghising reiterated that young people must take leadership roles to fulfill the vision of Ujyalo Nepal.

“You are already practicing as youth parliamentarians. Now it’s time to create a roadmap and move ahead,” he said.

He spoke about Nepal’s untapped potential and stressed the need for leadership to manage existing resources.

“We have resources, but we lack leadership to manage them. That leadership must start with you,” he told the youth.

Mentioning independent candidates, professionals, and social leaders who are striving to make a difference in the country, Ghising remarked,

“It’s worrying that those who want to make a difference do not get the respect they deserve.”

He called on everyone to treat the current situation not as one of despair, but as an opportunity for transformation, and urged collaboration across all sectors.

“I no longer seek any position,” he said. “I commit to dedicating the rest of my life to serving the nation alongside you, in building Ujyalo Nepal.”

The event was also addressed by Captain Vijay Lama, former FNCCI President Bhawani Rana, and other speakers.

Upcoming Visit to the U.S. and Europe
Meanwhile, Ghising is set to visit the United States this weekend to attend various programs and interactions. He and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) MP Gyanendra Shahi will be honored with the ‘Global Hero Award’ in New York on July 27.

Following that, Ghising will visit Texas, Washington D.C., and other U.S. cities, according to his secretariat. In August, he is also scheduled to visit the UK and various European countries.