Former UN official Kul Chandra Gautam pens book on Nepal

KATHMANDU:
Former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Kul Chandra Gautam has penned a book exploring plethora of challenges – primarily economic and political – that Nepal faces and making suggestions for rebuilding the nation in the wake of decade-long Maoist conflict and protracted political transition, now followed by the devastating April 25 earthquake.

The publishers Publication Nepa~laya said the book entitled “Lost in Transition: Rebuilding Nepal from the Maoist mayhem and mega earthquake” would be formally launched in Kathmandu on Saturday.

In his commentary, Gautam, with his experience as a development professional and a patriot, calls for an end to Nepal’s seemingly endless political transition and shifting the nation’s focus to economic development and social progress without further delay.

The reputed international diplomat has included an unsent letter to Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” that he wrote in 2005 – urging the latter to give up the armed rebellion and make peace – and an epilogue on India’s de facto blockade against Nepal following the promulgation of new Constitution.

Gautam, who was one of the first persons to advocate for the United Nations’ good offices to resolve Nepal’s armed conflict, has dissected the bias of some members of the international community and UN officials in Nepal towards the Maoists after the former rebels joined the peace process through Comprehensive Peace Accord.

“If politicians, policymakers and the general public find my experiences and suggestions worth following to rebuild Nepal then I will feel truly happy,” Gautam said, exuding great confidence that Nepal can be turned into a peaceful and prosperous nation by following sensible and pragmatic policies of progressive socioeconomic transformation under a democratic framework, instead of further experimenting with outdated ideologies or parochial approaches.