Vibrant Conversations, Passionate Debates, and Enthusiastic Book Lovers
December 15, 2019 (Pokhara): The third day of the IME Nepal Literature Festival (NLF) hosted eleven sessions ranging from writing, creative processes and translation to entrepreneurship, political leadership, and the Nepal of tomorrow. Visitors crossed a thousand, as they came in to interact with speakers, purchase books and attend book signings and launches.
Session 1 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
The day began with a spirited debate on the future of political leadership in Nepal – who will be the leader of tomorrow? Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai; Member of Parliament Gagan Thapa; and Coordinator of the Sajha Party Rabindra Mishra got together to discuss the trends of leadership and future possibilities. Editor of Naya Patrika Daily, Umesh Chauhan, moderated the session. The session ended with the conclusion that while not everything old needs to be changed, it is essential to ensure growth and change with the times if any political party and ideology is to survive. Please watch here: https://youtu.be/nc9iQJkMxe8
Session 2 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
As Nepal ends its power cuts and moves ahead with a vision of power for all and surplus power trading, what are ways to ensure sustainable access to power? Debating on this issue of cross-country importance was Priyantha Wijayatunga, the Director (Energy Division) of South Asia Regional Department of Asian Development Bank; Soma Sutta, Energy Expert, and Kulman Ghising, the Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority. The session was moderated by Journalist Rupak D. Sharma. The panel focused on the need to ensure efficient and clean energy for the entire population of a country, specially focusing on the vulnerable and marginalized, who might be adversely impacted during construction and expansion of power facilities. Please watch here: https://youtu.be/DPOoW2lNxU8
Session 3 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
Nepali essays, which reached their peak with the writings of Shankar Lamichhane and Taranath Dahal, are being written lesser and lesser. Discussing this trend, and offering their opinions were Essayist Roshan Sherchan, Critic Geeta Tripathi and Poet Ramesh Sayan. The session was moderated by Language Editor Bimal Acharya. While all three panelists agreed that essay writing was losing its force, they hastened to explain that it had become diluted into plenty of other interesting genres such as memoirs and biographic pieces. Please watch here: https://youtu.be/wMyaF3XeCfI
Session 4 (Ali Miya Hall)
Discussing the creative processes and secrets behind their latest creations were Authors Sanjeev Upreti (novel Hansa), Muna Chaudhary (novel Dulari) and Chuden Kabimo (novel Faatsung). The session, which divulged the pain and pleasure of being a writer, was moderated by Critic Gurung Sushanta. Each of them pointed to their experiences and the need to express as the major push behind their writing.
Session 5 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
From 2 to 3 PM, writer and Dalit Activist Aahuti held forth on the structure and intricacies of the Nepali society. Starting from the atrocities of the state and its laws that discriminated people based on their caste, he ended with the present-day structures, that still indirectly sets out to oppress the disadvantaged. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/Qml69wLy0RE
Session 6 (Ali Miya Hall)
At the Ali Miya Hall, writers and translators from all around the world came together to discuss the current trends and necessity of translation in South Asia. Translator Arunava Sinha from India, Bangaldeshi Bilingual Writer and Translator Rifat Munim and Sri Lankan Translator and Academician Carmen Wickramagamage held forth on the difficulties and accomplishments of translation, with Editor Amish Mulmi.
Session 7 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
The seventh session of the day was based on a vision – what is the Nepal of the future, that the young generation wants to build and live in? Miss World Nepal 2018 Shrinkhala Khatiwada; Founder of the Museum of Buddhism Sumnima Udas; and Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission in Nepal, Reshu Aryal Dhungana, discussed the importance of youth in creating this ideal country. Moderating the session was Author Ganes Paudel. The three young panelists stressed on the need to establish and ensure stronger public institutions and create income-generating opportunities for women as the first step to building a prosperous Nepal. Watch it here: youtu.be/cPdIJAYVPnM
Session 8 (Ali Miya Hall)
Two books for children – ‘Changa Chait’ by Hemlata Rai and ‘Hajurbuwako Bagaincha’ by Bhabasagar Ghimire, published by Shangri-La Books, were launched at the IME Nepal Literature Festival today. Following this, Author Hemlata Rai and Children’s Book Writer Shashwat Parajuli discussed on the need of children’s literature to flourish. Author Bhabasagar moderated the session. “We cannot give books to children and wonder why they don’t read them,” said Parajuli, “We have to read ourselves, so that they learn to emulate us.”
Session 9 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
In this day and age, when everything has a populist layer to it, who do you really write for? Editor Anagha Nilakantan posed the question to the panel of British Author and Critic Jeremy Tambling, Indian Writer/Journalist Harish Nambiar and Afghani-American Writer Jamil Jan Kochai. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/xIKe_U7-_Kw
Session 10 (Ali Miya Hall)
The tenth session of the day saw a bit of new-age technology – Artificial Intelligence, and the way its usage is transforming the arts. Speaking on the issue were Bishesh Khanal, Binod Bhattarai and Suresh Manandhar, while Niranjan Shrestha moderated the session.
Session 11 (Kabi Shiromani Lekhnath Hall)
The final session of the third day of the IME Nepal Literature Festival was a discussion by Industrialist Binod Chaudhary on the globalization of the Nepali market – what are its hindrances, and where can we step forward? Editor of Baarhakhari, Prateek Pradhan, moderated the session. Watch it here: http://youtu.be/nH06QRA-U6M
