I’m not a prodigious writer, so I haven’t written any other books. This is my first attempt. My writings were basically published in the media, particularly for radio broadcasts, newspapers, newswires along with my various contributions to journals and publications.[break]
“My Tryst with Writing,” a memoir, is a collection of random reflections on my career in journalism, memories and perceptions of my grandfather Baburam Acharya, the eminent historian of Nepal, and many other aspects surrounding my life. I really wanted to write about my grandfather since his contributions have been worth appreciation. He authored as many as eight books even during difficult times. The books were about history, geography, culture and literature of Nepal, and he also wrote over 125 research-based articles. His main contribution, however, was finding the Nepali name of Mouth Everest: Sagarmatha.
He was a great inspiration to me when it came to writing, and he really wished to see his family members take a break from family tradition of teaching and explore their writing skills.
I think that every person has a story to tell, and I have always been a passionate reader of books, so much so that I read any book that I can lay my hands on. As long as I remember, I have always loved writing as well, and this memoir is a reflection of my childhood nostalgia, my adventures, professional achievements and some extraordinary experiences that I wanted to share.
I have also written about my experience of taking up golf as a hobby and how I later became the chief executive of the Royal Nepal Golf Club, which was one of the country’s most prestigious golfing greens at that time. My reflections are my journeys from the 20th to the 21st century on how Nepal witnessed a break in the tradition of monarchy and also endured the Maoist insurgency for a decade. But these are just a few areas that book has touched. The book is also a sheer reflection on my experience in journalism for over three decades, and about my personal life which I wanted to share with my friends and readers.
About Acharya
Acharya worked in journalism for more than 30 years and he started his craft at Radio Nepal in the early 1970s. He later worked as executive editor at Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS). He was also the foreign correspondent based in Nepal for the Kyodo News Agency of Japan from 1978 and his area of coverage was Kathmandu, Bhutan and Tibet. He was the first one to report on the Royal Palace Massacre from Nepal to the Kyodo News Service.
“I come from the old school and started my education in Sanskrit and picked up English in my later years. Basically, I’m a self-taught person and am still in the process of learning,” says Acharya.
He thinks that journalism wasn’t as glamorous back then as it now is, with the introduction of television and the Internet. For someone who has reported many stories as part of his career, he has also written many short stories and poems in his leisure.
Acharya is currently working on a book project pertaining to his grandfather, Baburam Acharya, and he has already translated a book which is due to be published soon by Penguin Books India. He’s also translating a 300-page book of his grandfather about the trade wars, or Nepal’s war with Tibet and China.
He is also thinking of writing a book about his friends.
“Reading and writing are the only light available to us for a better life, and thus the two are crucial aspects of our lives,” says Acharya.
Acharya’s picks
Never Give In by Winston S Churchill
This is a collection of speeches by Winston Churchill, the British politician and prime minister who led the United Kingdom during the Second World War. When it comes to English prose, the writing of Churchill, Winston’s grandson, is inspiring. The author has written many articles, and he edited this compilation of his grandfather’s famous speeches. He’s inspiring to me as he has influenced me in my thought process and writing. This book is one of my favorites and I go through it time and again.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
I love reading biographies, and this is one of my favorites, which is why I recommend it as a must-read. The book is inspiring in many ways. Firstly, the journey of Steve Jobs itself is inspiring, and the way it’s been projected is praiseworthy. The contents of the book are interesting and the way it’s been written is really commendable, as Isaacson has done it in such a dramatic way. The way he has unfolded Jobs’ story and taken breaks while he follows to the next chapter is gripping. The author is an eminent biographer and he has written biographies of many noted personalities as well.
The New Asian Hemisphere by Kishore Mahbubani
Mahbubani is a former Singaporean diplomat and a notable academic. I admire this book for the kind of perspectives that the author has presented. His current viewpoint is that the world’s focus and economy, politics and other things are shifting gradually from Europe to Asia and that the future now belongs to Asia. His analysis is creditable and I find it convincing as well.
Teen Ghumti by Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala
Koirala is a great storyteller and he has authored many books which I admire. He was one of the most well-read and thoughtful writers of Nepali literature who wrote short stories, novels, and poems. “Teen Ghumti” is a novel about an individual’s life where he takes three important decisions in his life which could make or break his life. The story is interesting, and no matter how much I praise Koirala, it will be less.
Acharya’s Favorite Preface to ‘Sirishko Phool’ by Shankar Lamichhane
It’s hard to pick one favorite book of his because every single book is spellbinding and well written. Lamichhane is considered as Nepal’s prominent prose writer and he has proven that Nepali language and literature can be as rich as any other languages. He had written the preface to Parijat’s most famous novel “Shirishko Phool.” I’ve read that novel more than twelve times as I really like it; but I found Lamichhane’s preface more interesting than the novel itself.
As told to Nistha Rayamaj
Related story
‘Sensitive Difficult Reflections’ concludes
