KATHMANDU, Nov 14: Politician Lal Babu Pandit, popular for his achievements and tough stance on issues of national importance during his stint as a minister can be read about in a book now. His life story ‘Singhadurbar Badalne Sangharsha’ – ‘Struggle to Change Singhadurbar’ published by publication nepa-laya is now available in bookstores.
A CPN UML leader, Lal Babu has been associated with the party since its inception. But his first appointment as a minister came into being only a few years back and was popular for mainly two reasons.
First – for the government’s announcement that caught the public eye. During his tenure as a minister, the government decided to forbid Nepali government officials to hold important positions in the state, who were in possession of Permanent Residence Status and Green Card of other countries. This move affected many senior civil servants, who had acquired a permanent residency of the US through Diversity Visa lottery process. At that time, many employees abandoned their dual citizenship, while some left their government job to settle abroad. This created a huge debate in the public domain. The general administration minister, who is usually not in the news, became hugely popular due to immense public interest in the action taken by his ministry. This not only made Lal Babu a household name but also the most talked about minister in the cabinet at the time.
There was another reason that propelled Lal Babu to be an important figure in Nepal’s modern transitional history. It was his views on Madhes issues during the Terai movement, a very critical juncture of Nepal’s transition. Lal Babu, who hailed from a minority community in eastern Terai had a differing opinion from those of other Madhesi leaders on issues relating to Terai welfare. At a time when partition politics was on the rise, Lal babu stood for unity amidst various communities. His thoughts and appeal during the Terai movement made him even more popular amidst the masses.
Lal Babu Pandit’s autobiography hits bookstores
His genuine personality and simple lifestyle also attracted many towards him. As time passed by, public curiosity rose about this humble politician, who used to commute through cycle and autorickshaw.
Lal Babu’s uncompromising attitude on issues of national importance as a result of his long-standing political career. The story of his involvement with the underground political movement alongside CPN UML’s popular leader late Madan Bhandari and his life as a student and a family man covers interesting facts. Above all, his ordinary lifestyle is compelling.
Lal babu’s book tells the story of a man, who used his political career to change the very character of the power he possessed.
‘I saw corruption and malpractices everywhere after I became a minister and hence I thought the process of change needs to start from within’ says Lal Babu. ‘I have sincerely put forward the work carried out during my tenure as a minister’. He added, ‘I hope people who are committed to a positive change and nation building will read this book’.
Pandit has written the book in association with journalist Mukesh Pokhrel.
‘We decided to publish Lal Babu Pandit’s autobiography thinking his life and struggle would be an inspiration to others” says Saijan Maskey, CEO of Publication Nepalaya. ‘The book sheds light on a political leader, who showed tremendous hope and aspiration amidst utter political chaos’, she added.
The book starts with, him receiving a call from the Party Chairman informing him on being nominated for a ministerial post, while he was commuting in a public bus in Kathmandu’s Ringroad, and ends with him leaving the government quarters back to his rented apartment.
“Sharing one’s life story is putting yourself on trial’, he shared. ‘I leave it up to the readers to judge and decide”.
Lal Babu Pandit’s auto-biography is priced at 325 NRS.
