Book review: What Binod Chaudhary’s memoir says about making it in Nepal

Binod Chaudhary, Nepal's only dollar billionaire, has penned a memoir titled ‘Made in Nepal: Lessons in Business Building from the Land of Everest’. The book is presented as a candid look into his mind, marked by a striking truthfulness where he doesn't shy away from potentially unflattering facts.

Chaudhary openly discusses the complex relationship between business and politics in Nepal. He acknowledges the public's negative perception of "businessmen politicians" but also shares his own journey, including an instance where his lobbying influenced a political party to drop a policy proposing higher taxes on the wealthy. He states, "Nobody can make Binod Chaudhary a communist," reflecting a complex stance on political ideologies and party affiliations.

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Businessmen politicians were a reviled lot.

The memoir chronicles Chaudhary's rise from taking over his father's business to achieving significant success. The narrative is punctuated by accounts of mistakes and betrayals, yet Chaudhary emerges as a figure who is both shrewd and, at times, naive. He recounts instances of being taken advantage of by business partners but consistently manages to recover and succeed.

Beyond business dealings, the book highlights Chaudhary's philanthropic work, particularly his efforts following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake and during the Covid-19 pandemic. A particularly striking anecdote involves a minister allegedly forcing Chaudhary's sons to donate a substantial sum to the Prime Minister's fund, diverting money intended for CG's own aid initiatives. The review notes some editorial oversights in the book, including repetitive sentences and other errors, suggesting a rushed finalization process.

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Nobody can make Binod Chaudhary a communist.