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| Username | Post |
| bisun | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 10:21 AM
FYI & Comments: Excerpts from NYTimes article found at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-China-Asian-Highway.html "[A] modern version of the ancient Silk Road that once linked Asia with Europe is nearing completion -- an 87,500-mile web of highways and ferry routes connecting 32 Asian countries." "First proposed in 1959 but delayed by decades of Cold War distrust, the project has been endorsed in principle by all 32 affected countries." "The Asian Highway would be not one road but an entire system of routes that, by land and by sea, would link Tokyo to Turkey, Bhutan to Bulgaria." "A U.N. map of the highways as planned roughly resembles a spider web strung from Finland and St. Petersburg to Khabarovsk and Tokyo. Spurs extend through Turkey as it meshes across Central Asia, crosses India and loops through Southeast Asia down to the Indonesian island of Bali." "As envisioned, seven landlocked countries would be included: Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Nepal and Uzbekistan. Island nations would be linked by ferry to the Asian continent." (Source: New York Times, April 26, 2004) How would it affect us as a poor and landlocked south asian country? How can we prepare ourselves to make the best use of the future "Asian Highway"? What industries can mainly benefit from it? How would it affect our traditional industries including farming? How can people living in Humla and Jumla take advantage of it? ( I assume the "Asian Highway" will touch Nepal from Indian side. Alternatively it could come from China side as well and pass through Nepal to India, but that I think is highly unlikely.) What might be possible disadvantages the proposed "Asian Highway" as it relates to Nepal? |
| Biswo | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 11:25 AM
Someone, not-so-authoritative voice within sadak bibhaag, once told me that Asian highway is not a conception of a new integrated road, nor is it like I-10 where one can drive car uninterrupted for as long as sea doesn't come in a way. It is like a conceptual mix of highways in different countries. It may have integration as a goal, but not for near future. And Purba-Paschim Rajmarg is what is called the part of Asian Highway in Nepal. I am not sure if this is true. I just wanted to share what I heard sometimes ago. |
| rauniyar | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 01:47 PM
Nice article! Thanks, Bisun for sharing a wonderful piece of printed material that rather peeks into a brighter future for the land-locked country like ours. I Hope that this Asian Highway plan materializes so that we can reap the rewards. Biswo, I remember your earlier post on linking the Singapore water with the other nations to bypass tariffs for goods going in and out of Indian Ocean. This article preety much follows the same gist in that the economy is going to prosper for the nations without an access to the water. Aa on a lighter note, welcome back to Sajha Bisun. I trust this rendezvous is going to be one big come back with a bang!!! Uhi Rajeev, CT, Amrika |
| Biswo | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 03:44 PM
Rajeev, Hey, you still remember my THAT post? OK, I remember what it was. When there was SARS epidemic in China, the Singaporean PM told it was due to China that Singapore got SARS. So, enraged students at the student websites in China (like sajha) were making anti-singapore comments. One of the comments I read was very interesting: they proposed that a new canal be made via Thailand. If you look at the map, you will find that Thailand looks like proboscis . So, there is a very narrow part that separates South China sea from Indian ocean. Making a Panama like canal seems not so costly. I am not sure if such canal will ever be made. The idea sounds so cool, though. I mean it definitely shortens the route of ships travelling from South China sea or Pacific to Indian ocean. Since most of the merchandises from China/Korea/Japan to South Asia, Europe, Arab and Africa and vice versa are channelled through that region, who knows someone may build such canal one day. |
| rauniyar | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 07:00 PM
Biswo, my geography knowledge pertaining to the area of discussion is rather limited. Allow me to buy some time to brush up on the oceans and the seas to have a valid input what your idea carries in terms of "True Value." Having said that, I know that you are the finest of the Nepali brains I am come across in my life. If that idea of yours has the punch, we should make one canal in the future. How about that? Uhi Rajeev, CT, Amrika |
| bisun | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 07:17 PM
hehe Rajeev dai. Tapaiko kura sunera "come back" garnai paryo ni. Ma yanha aaunuko credit tapailai janchha. I will try to post a few sentences whenever I can. Full time work and half time school leaves little time for leisure. But i will try my best. Thanks for your warm welcome. |
| rauniyar | Posted
on 27-Apr-04 08:18 PM
Bisun, I guess that little leasure time of yours means a lot to many a folks here. Like yourself I gasp for that extra time to log myself @ Sajha, defying the mundane aspects of life that is there to be taken care of. aa- ani, if our time on Sajha were to be akin to one of those experience of my childhood years where I used to squeeze a last toothbrush full of a of dying toothpaste, still it is as sweet as it was then. Thanks a ton again for coming back here!!! I look forward to many a lively and meaningful discourses in the days to come. Uhi Rajeev, CT, Amrika |