Along with being the CEO of the well-known management consultancy, Three H Management Pvt. Ltd, Sohan Babu Khatri also teaches at various renowned educational institutions in the capital. So for many it is a mystery just how he manages to take time out for some leisurely reading. However, a sitting with him makes it apparent that books make up a huge part of his life. In fact, he even confesses that he likes surrounding himself with books because it gives him an idea of all that he has read and is yet to read.
Priyanka Gurung caught up with the businessman, teacher, writer, reader, and painter to know more about his reading habits.
What kinds of books do you find yourself gravitating towards?
Libraries established in jails of Karnali
I am going through Jugaad and The Art of Strategy right now. Mostly I enjoy writers who bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. But they have to be research and evidence based ideas. I think that is a very important clause if we are talking about non fictional work. If you are not basing your book on a thorough and extensive research, it’s fiction. Perhaps that is the reason why I have my reservations regarding motivational books. I’m not entirely convinced in this department.
Do you believe books can change a person?
Books are inevitably going to leave a lasting impression on you. There are some books that have had that effect on me too. However, I’m a big critic of following a book ritualistically. I have always consciously tried to not let myself fall into that trap. Reads like How to be a Billionaire, 7 Habits of Highly Successful People; if you try to ritualistically follow these books the only people you are helping achieve success are the ones who wrote it. Fountain Head by Ayn Rand is another example. Many people would like to emulate the protagonist but I’d say take the gist from the work, let the book influence you but at the same time, it is important not to shrink your beliefs down to that one particular perspective.
What about works of fiction? What are your thoughts on that?
I respect fiction for its innovation, creativity, and imagination. However, my experience with fiction is mostly limited to Nepali literature. I have read a variety of works from all sorts of Nepali writers. I still remember I began reading Nepali fiction because of a radio show which featured real life stories. The host of the show talked about a character, Sakambari, and he described her as "Parijat ko sakambari jastai" but I didn’t get the reference at all. So I picked up Sirish ko Phool which was also when I was informed that the background of it written by Shankar Lamichhane was even better than the book itself. I thought that was impossible but it turned out to be true. Today I have read almost all of Lamichhane’s works and over the years, my fondness for Nepali fiction has only increased.
Do you ever find yourself comparing Nepali literature to English literature?
It’s not comparable in terms of creativity. And I don’t think it should be compared to begin with. Creative tasks such as writing should be left to its own credit. There must be native works of literature in places like Rukum or Rolpa as well. I believe they also deserve the same credit as the published works.
As a lecturer, I always encourage my students to read Nepali books for one reason and that is to understand our own culture as well as our context. Ideally our initial disposition should be in our own language and books are the way to go, especially if you want help with your ability to express your feelings, thoughts, and emotions.
Speaking of your students, are you satisfied with our Nepali youngsters’ reading habits?
I think the new generation is less into books because they are exposed to so many other things. They have so many other options to keep themselves occupied. Also reading has always been a conscious decision and indeed, tricky to fit it into our hectic schedule but then again, it’s like finding the time to go to the movies. If only they were as eager to read at least four pages of a good book as they are to watch that three hour long film, we would be so much better off.
Is that why you always find the time to read?
Yes, it’s like they say, being busy is managing time the right way. In fact it’s not just about reading once. I believe rereading a book is an amazing experience as well. It's a shame that many people don’t do that. I have read BP Koirala’s Sumnima five times. The first time I was 19. It was my first encounter with proper literature. When I finished it, it blew my mind. The protagonist is nude throughout the story but there isn’t a trace of vulgarity or sexism. I couldn’t believe that Koirala managed such a feat. I reread it over time, most recently being three months ago, and every time I finish the book, I feel like I hadn’t completely understood the point of the work earlier. The book certainly is as mature as the reader. Rereading books is just one of those underrated joys in life.
