The elusive dream

If we are to realise the dream of 1951, mediocracy must be replaced by meritocracy.

Seventy-three years have passed since the 1951 revolution and the fall of the Rana autocracy. However, the economic prosperity that the movement imagined remains elusive. Countries with economies similar to ours in the 1950s forged ahead while we fell behind. Korea, Singapore and Taiwan are now on par with the so-called First World. While China has boosted its economy, and India is close behind, we are now the second poorest country in South Asia, just above Afghanistan. Why did we lag behind?