0. Introduction: the Nepalese people

0.1. The Exemplary Qualities of the Nepalese People (as per ChatGPT)

0.1.1. Spirituality

The religious landscape in Nepal is diverse, encompassing Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faiths. Spirituality plays a crucial role in the daily lives of many Nepalis, influencing customs, rituals, and attitudes towards life.

0.1.2. Cultural Traditions

Nepal boasts a rich cultural heritage manifested in various forms such as festivals, traditional arts, intricate music, and expressive dance.
The preservation and celebration of these traditions are sources of deep cultural pride.

0.1.3. Community Bonding

Nepali communities are characterized by strong bonds and solidarity.
Close-knit relationships within neighbourhoods contribute to a sense of shared responsibility, mutual support, and a feeling of extended family.

0.1.4. Respect for Elders

Nepali culture places a significant emphasis on showing respect and deference to older individuals. This reflects traditional values, hierarchical family structures, and an acknowledgment of the wisdom that comes with age.

0.1.5. Love of Nature

The breath-taking landscapes of Nepal, including the towering Himalayas, lush valleys, and serene lakes, foster an appreciation and respect for nature.
The environment is often considered sacred, and efforts are made to maintain its pristine beauty.

0.1.6. Hospitality

Nepalis are renowned for their warm hospitality.
Visitors are welcomed with open hearts, and hosts often go above and beyond to ensure guests feel comfortable and valued.

0.1.7. Generosity

A deep-seated spirit of generosity is woven into the fabric of Nepali culture.
The willingness to share what one has, whether it is food, resources, or time, is a common practice that strengthens social bonds.

0.1.8. Simplicity

Many Nepalis embrace a simple way of life, finding joy in the small pleasures and valuing meaningful experiences over material possessions.
Modesty and contentment are cherished virtues.

0.1.9. Humility

Humility is highly regarded, and individuals often prioritize modesty over self-promotion.
This virtue is expressed through a lack of arrogance, an acknowledgment of personal strengths and weaknesses, and a genuine approach to interactions.

0.1.10. Non-Materialistic Values

Nepalis often prioritize intangible aspects of life, such as relationships, experiences, and personal growth, over material possessions.
This mindset contributes to a contented and fulfilled life.

0.1.11. Resilience

The Nepali people have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of various challenges, including natural disasters such as earthquakes.
Their ability to rebuild, adapt, and persevere reflects a determination to overcome adversity.

0.1.12. Honesty

Honesty and integrity are highly valued in Nepali society.
Upholding the truth, maintaining transparent relationships, and acting with integrity are seen as essential virtues for personal and communal well-being.

0.2. Our impression regarding the Nepalese people in general

After immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture of Nepal for several months and maintaining daily interactions with Nepalis for years, the list of qualities proposed by ChatGPT (which is both impressive and almost unbelievable) doesn’t come as a surprise to us at all.

While it may appear somewhat imprudent to make overarching judgments about an entire population, we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to perceive the Nepali people as a sort of ‘paragon of virtue’ based on both the comprehensive list of admirable qualities outlined by ChatGPT and our own immersive experiences.

Discerning any flaws in the individuals we encountered in Nepal proves to be a challenging task.

Allow us to expound upon our viewpoint.

0.2.1. Humility and a Touch of Stoicism

These qualities are conspicuously apparent in the Nepali people, and the profound impact of their environment offers plausible explanations.

The individuals, often less endowed materially, naturally exhibit a lack of arrogance.

Furthermore, Nepal, beyond its towering mountains, is renowned for its susceptibility to formidable earthquakes across its relatively compact expanse.
The constant awareness that ‘everything can be obliterated’ in mere minutes fosters a distinctive perspective on material possessions, rendering them ephemeral and almost inconsequential – except for essentials.

The omnipresence of awe-inspiring mountains and the occasional reminder of the power of Nature through earthquakes contribute to a humility ingrained in the Nepali psyche.

In such an environment, arrogance becomes a challenging sentiment to cultivate, as Nature consistently asserts its supremacy and occasionally emphasizes its might through seismic events.

0.2.2. Kindness and Humaneness

Derived from the aforementioned, qualities like kindness and humanity, coupled with simplicity, naturally emanate and are palpable in every interaction with the Nepali people in general.

0.2.3. Solidarity and Helpfulness

In an environment where the natural landscape is both imposing and unforgiving, preventing individuals from becoming ensnared in materialism, it is only logical for people to exhibit solidarity with one another.

This, combined with a cultural inclination to extend support to foreigners, results in the palpable helpfulness we have consistently observed among Nepalis.

0.2.4. Courage, Lack of Laziness, Patience, Endurance

Laziness seems conspicuously absent in Nepali individuals.

Their courageous, proactive, and determined demeanour, devoid of fear, stands in stark contrast to a world where, especially in the West, fear increasingly guides attitudes and reflexes.

A Sherpa child

Notably, the renowned Gurkhas, known for their fearless military prowess, embody these qualities, as do the universally acknowledged Sherpa people.

A Gurkha soldier

Historically, the terms ‘Gurkha’ and ‘Gorkhali’ were synonymous with ‘Nepali’, originating from the hill principality
Gorkha Kingdom.
The Kingdom of Nepal expanded under Prithvi Narayan Shah, the last ruler of the Gorkha Kingdom and the first monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal.

Former Indian Army Chief of Staff Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw once stated that: “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or he is a Gurkha.”

0.2.5. Honesty, Integrity, Uprightness

Observing honesty, integrity, and uprightness among the Nepali people reinforces the logical coherence of these qualities within their cultural context.
While exceptions may exist, they appear exceedingly rare.

0.3. Potential Benefits of These Qualities for Autistic Individuals

The highly developed qualities enumerated above hold significant potential for assisting autistic individuals (children or adults).

A preliminary analysis reveals several noteworthy points:

0.3.1. Humility

Often disregarded or mocked in the Western context, humility proves to be a critical factor, especially for autistics.
The absence of arrogance facilitates genuine efforts to comprehend autistic explanations and the sources of problems.
Additionally, it allows ‘normal’ individuals to acknowledge and rectify their mistakes when autistics manage to explain them.

In contrast to Western societies where arrogance is prevalent, the lack of arrogance among Nepalis eliminates a significant source of problems for autistics.

0.3.2. Natural Propensity to Help and Patience

Autistic individuals inherently require assistance, and the patient repetition necessitated by their unique needs finds a harmonious match in the natural propensity of Nepalis to offer help patiently.

0.3.3. Kindness and Altruism

The reputation of Nepali people for kindness and altruism aligns seamlessly with the indispensable qualities required when aiding an autistic person.

Such selflessness is particularly beneficial in navigating the complex landscape of autism.

0.3.4. Fearlessness and ‘Non-Laziness’

Unlike the prevalent fear-driven culture often found in most Western countries, Nepalis’ fearlessness and proactive approach, involving trying new things, working, and embracing travel, align seamlessly with the essential need for experimentation and exploration crucial for fostering positive development in autistic individuals.

0.3.5. Other Qualities

Undoubtedly, there are additional remarkable qualities in Nepalis that could prove beneficial for assisting autistics, aspects that may have been overlooked in this initial and brief analysis.”

0.4. Nepal: One of the Richest Countries in the World, and a Hidden Potential.

Often, nations and their citizens are evaluated through the lens of material “wealth” and “power,” sometimes extending to military strength.
Within this framework, despite acknowledging the majestic “supremacy” of the Himalayas, Nepal is frequently perceived as one of the poorest countries in the world, often accompanied by a hint of condescension, particularly from Western perspectives.

However, for an autism specialist immersing themselves in Nepalese culture, a remarkable revelation unfolds.
It becomes glaringly apparent that the collective mindset and conduct of Nepalese society are ideally suited for supporting and accommodating individuals on the autism spectrum.
As mentioned earlier, traits such as humility, compassion, generosity, patience, and courage are not merely prevalent but seem woven into the fabric of daily life.
Furthermore, one cannot overlook the virtues of adaptability, resilience, and an innate capacity to ignore offense or selfishness.

In light of these observations, a resounding conclusion emerges: Nepal stands among the most endowed nations globally.
Its resources, however, do not lie in material possessions but in the abundance of human virtues.
It is, in essence, a treasury overflowing with qualities essential for fostering harmony and inclusivity.
Yet, amidst these qualities, Nepalese people remain humble and unassuming, placing little emphasis on such accolades.
Nevertheless, in a world where these virtues are increasingly scarce commodities, we believe it is imperative that we recognize and cherish their importance.

0.5. Some odd peculiarities of Nepal

0.5.1. The Flag of Nepal

The Flag of Nepal is the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular; it is also the only one that is taller than it is wide.
(There are two square flags – Switzerland and Vatican – but let us remember that a square is a rectangle.)

But what is even more unique, and quite incredible, is the ultra-complex mathematical formula that defines the ratio of the height of the flag to the longest width (an irrational number):

≈ 1:1.21901033…

0.5.2. “Nepal Standard Time”

Nepal is unique in terms of its time zone, as it deviates from the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) by 5 hours and 45 minutes.
Therefore, Nepal has a time difference of 15 minutes compared to the more commonly observed hourly or half-hourly intervals in other countries.
This is a distinctive feature of the Nepalese time zone.

It might seem “complicated” or strange, but in reality, it is a simplification, as before 1920, it was much more complex, and other cities and regions besides the capital often had their own local time, making the coordination of activities on a national scale particularly challenging.

Indeed, Nepal used local solar time until 1920, in Kathmandu UTC+05:41:16.
In 1920, Nepal adopted Indian Standard Time, UTC+05:30.
In 1986 Nepal advanced their clocks by 15 minutes, giving them a time zone of UTC+05:45

0.5.3. Nepalese Internet domains are free of charge, but…

Surprisingly, Nepal offers its national domain names (i.e. with the extension “.np“) for free, a rarity in the digital realm.
(To date, only 5 other countries share this arrangement: .TK (Tokelau) .ML (Mali) .GA (Gabon) .CF (Central African Republic) .GQ (Equatorial Guinea)).

However, what truly sets this apart is that obtaining a domain name requires proving eligibility.
In essence, the domain name must align with the registered name of a company or the individual’s surname.
For further details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.np

0.5.4. Living Goddess

Goddess Kumari – the only Living Goddess, Nepal

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, houses the Kumari, a young prepubescent girl selected as the living goddess.
Chosen based on strict criteria, she resides in the Kumari Ghar (Kumari residence) and occasionally makes public appearances during religious festivals.

0.5.5. Highest point on Earth, and extreme contrasts in altitudes and climates

Nepal is home to eight of the fourteen highest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.

Mount Everest (8848.86 m)

In a span of 100 km going from South to North at any part of Nepal you can experience hot tropical climate to bone chilling Arctic type weather.
Nepal is the only country with altitudinal variation that ranges from 70 meters to 8848 meters.
The elevation of the country ranges from less than 100 meters above sea level in the Terai, to the highest point on earth, the summit of Mt. Everest, at 8,848 meters, all within a distance of about 150km, resulting in climatic conditions ranging from sub-tropical to Arctic.

Tilicho Lake – the lake at the highest altitude in the world, at the height of 4800m

0.5.6. The incredible social diversity in Nepal

Here is a summary of the key features of this diversity:

Ethnic Groups and Castes

• • Nepal has more than 142 ethnic groups, each with its own customs, traditions, and distinct cultural practices.
  • The traditional caste system persists, with groups such as Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. However, ongoing reform efforts aim to mitigate disparities associated with this system.

Languages

• • Nepal is incredibly linguistically diverse, with over 120 spoken languages. This includes Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, and other regional languages.
  • Nepali (or Gurung) is the official language and is widely understood across the country, serving as a means of communication between diverse linguistic groups.

Cultural Diversity

• • Each ethnic group has its own customs, dances, music, and unique festivals. Traditional celebrations vary based on region and community.

Religions and Beliefs

• • Nepal is a multi-religious country, with Hinduism as the primary religion, followed by Buddhism, Islam, and other indigenous beliefs. This religious diversity is often celebrated through interfaith festivals.

Geographical Diversity

• • The topography of Nepal, ranging from the plains of the Terai to the peaks of the Himalayas, also influences cultural diversity. Each region has its own traditions adapted to its environment.

Urban and Rural Life

• • Differences between urban and rural areas add another dimension to Nepalese diversity. Large cities like Kathmandu showcase modernity in contrast to the more traditional lifestyles in rural regions.

Traditional Practices

• • Despite modernization, some traditional practices persist, such as agricultural-related festivals, arranged marriages, and ancient forms of art.

The diversity of Nepal is evident through these multiple facets, creating a rich cultural and social mosaic.
This variety contributes to the fascination and uniqueness of the Nepalese nation.

0.5.7. Unscathed by Religious and Ethnic Strife

0.5.8. Always independent

Nepal is one of the very few countries (with Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand) that was never formally colonized during the modern era.
Despite being surrounded by British and Tibetan colonial empires, Nepal managed to maintain its independence through a combination of geographical, strategic, and diplomatic factors.

0.5.9. Our Perspective

All of this indicates that Nepalis are accustomed to things that are original, unique, and extreme, which explains why they are not afraid of it.
They are also very used to diversity, to differences (to a certain extent).

This helps to better understand their qualities and why they are not greatly unsettled by autistic individuals.

0.5.9.1. The opinion of ChatGPT about our perspective

“Your opinion highlights an interesting perspective on the Nepalese mentality.
Indeed, the fact that Nepalis are accustomed to the original, unique, and extreme aspects of their environment, as well as to diversity to some extent, may play a crucial role in their ability to embrace differences, including those presented by autistic individuals.
This familiarity with diversity can contribute to a deeper understanding and a natural acceptance of peculiarities, fostering harmonious interactions.
It is an insightful observation on the resilience and open-mindedness of Nepalese society.”

1. Our Organization and Diplomatic Relations

Request for ChatGPT:
Can you :
1. Summarize the concept of Track II Diplomacy (or parallel diplomacy) ?
2. Explain if the Autistan Diplomatic Organization fits into this concept, and how ?

1.1. Track II Diplomacy (or Parallel Diplomacy)

2. Our letters to the Embassy of Nepal in Brasilia

2.1. Our introduction letter (5 pages, 17/10/2023)

2.1.1. PDF

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2.1.2. Summary by ChatGPT

This letter, addressed to the Ambassador of Nepal to Brazil, expresses the desire to improve communication between autistic individuals and non-autistic society.
The author, a mild autistic person and founder of an autistic organization, emphasizes the importance of constructive dialogue with public authorities to refine and improve policies related to autism.

The letter outlines obstacles to effective communication, including the unfamiliarity of public authorities with autistic communication styles and potential misunderstandings or skepticism.
The author offers to provide a concise presentation demonstrating the relevance and usefulness of their proposal, which focuses on fostering understanding and support for autistic individuals.

Additionally, the letter suggests the possibility of verbal dialogue to facilitate better understanding, and proposes an international assistance program for autistic individuals involving young people from Nepal providing support to autistic individuals abroad.

The author cites personal experiences and achievements in advocating for autistic individuals, expressing confidence in the feasibility of their proposals.
They highlight the bravery and qualities of the Nepalese people, suggesting a potential partnership between Nepal and their organization.

Finally, the letter concludes with a request for consideration of a meeting or dialogue, expressing hope for mutual understanding and collaboration in support of autistic individuals.

2.2. Our presentation document (92 pages)

2.2.1. PDF (only a partial view of the cover page)

2.2.2. Summary by ChatGPT

2.2.2.1. Introduction

The Autistan Diplomatic Organization operates as a metaphorical representation of the autistic community, aiming to enhance understanding between autistic and non-autistic individuals. It emphasizes the unique perspective of living in both the “autistic world” and the “non-autistic world” simultaneously. Founded by an individual with extensive experience in autism initiatives, the main objective of the organization is to provide useful information to governments for the benefit of autistic individuals.

2.2.2.2. General Purpose

The overarching goal of the organization is to improve the lives of autistic individuals by promoting equality, reducing suffering, and enhancing quality of life. However, the enigmatic nature of autism makes it challenging to translate principles into practical realities. Thus, the organization stresses the importance of consulting diverse sources, including autistic individuals, to inform policy decisions effectively. It highlights the broader societal benefits of improving conditions for autistic individuals and underscores the importance of their meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

2.2.2.3. Particular Characteristics of Our Organization

The Autistan Diplomatic Organization distinguishes itself by its extranational, neutral stance, focusing on providing information and suggestions rather than imposing demands on governments. Its members, who are autistic and specialists in autism, offer diverse knowledge and experiences from multiple countries. The organization prioritizes collaboration with national autism associations and refrains from providing direct services or reporting on countries without their consent.

3. The positive answer from the Nepalese Embassy in Brasilia (23/10/2023)

4. Invitation for the next day

We have been invited by the Ambassador of Nepal to his Residence on the following day (24/10/2023).

See the article: https://np.autistan.org/meeting-ambassador-of-nepal-brasilia/