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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

Writer Dharma Gautam reflects on Nepal's political past and his new book

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • Dharma Gautam, a writer and political observer, has published his first book, 'BP Ra Bidrohka Ti Din,' detailing Nepal's political struggles and his exile experiences.
  • The book was inspired by friends and family, and a desire to share past political movements with the younger generation.
  • Gautam, who was involved in Nepal's political movement during the Panchayat era, began writing extensively during his exile in India, influenced by BP Koirala's encouragement to read and study journalism.

Dharma Gautam, a writer and political observer who participated in Nepal's political movement during the Panchayat era, has released his debut book, 'BP Ra Bidrohka Ti Din.' The work draws on his memories of Nepal's political struggles and his time in exile in India, where he began reading extensively and studying journalism.

BP himself would give us books and suggest what we should read. Sometimes he would also give us what felt like critical reviews of books he had read.

— Dharma GautamGautam discusses the influence of BP Koirala on his reading habits and intellectual development during his exile.

Gautam stated that the book was prepared less out of ambition and more due to encouragement from friends and family. He also felt a need to share the stories of earlier political struggles with the new generation, particularly after the recent Gen-Z movement. "Most of my experiences have already faded from memory," Gautam said. "I dived deep into my fading memory and some of the material I had preserved on my computer, then prepared the book with some basic editing."

BP used to say that newspapers and magazines had a major role in politics.

— Dharma GautamGautam reflects on BP Koirala's views on the importance of media in the political landscape.

During the Panchayat era, press freedom was restricted in Nepal, leading Gautam to read Hindi-language magazines that were subject to censorship. His exile in India provided him with access to a wider range of books, with BP Koirala himself often recommending reading material and offering critical reviews. Koirala also emphasized the significant role of newspapers and magazines in politics.

Most of my experiences have already faded from memory. I dived deep into my fading memory and some of the material I had preserved on my computer, then prepared the book with some basic editing.

— Dharma GautamGautam describes the process of compiling his memories and materials for his new book.

Upon returning to Nepal, Gautam began writing about contemporary issues, sometimes prompted by impactful books or requests for commemorative pieces. He regrets not preserving his earlier writings but found a consistent drive to write once he started regular newspaper columns. Now, due to his age, he writes more slowly but finds it easy to tackle subjects he knows well, noting his language is quite simple.

I think my language is also quite simple.

— Dharma GautamGautam comments on his writing style in his recent book.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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