Yug Pathak recently released Mangena: Nepal Manthan—a collection of essays on Nepal’s history and politics. Pathak whose last book—Urgenko Ghoda—a novel, received rave reviews from critics and readers, explores various aspects of Nepali society—from history, politics, language, literature to education system—in his new non-fiction book. In this conversation with the Post’s Samikshya Bhattarai, Pathak talks about his book and the society. Excerpts:

Let’s start by talking about the title of your book, Mangena, and what does it mean?

Mangena is a word drawn from the Limbu language which translates to “hold your head high”. More than just a word, it is a philosophy which suggests that no matter who you are and what you do, you should always hold your head high and be proud of your roots. There is actually a ceremony in Limbu culture which is held only to teach its people to be proud of who they are. I went for the name because the purpose of my book is to make people in general, and those marginalised more so, to take pride in whoever they are. 

What are some of the themes that you explore in your book? 

There is no singular theme that the book focuses on. Mangena explores and examines various layers that exist in our society. It brings forth the argument that how everything—from what we have been taught to how we think things—needs to be revised and redone if we want to march forward and bring positive changes in the society. I have tried to dabble into various aspects of society—from literature, history, and politics to exploring answers to why our society is what it is and how we need to revolutionise it. The book might come across as anti-nationalist to some because I have questioned many traditions and cultures, norms and values of the society and tried to give an alternative discourse to most of them. 

What are some of the dichotomies and contradictions we live in as Nepalis? 

There are many dichotomies and contradictions in the society we live in. It starts right from the notion of hierarchy that exists in our society which makes people work day and night for others, believing that they are less of a person than those above them. The society always places people like farmers below people who have earned degrees from foreign lands, even though these farmers are the engine of the society. Besides this, we live in an environment that is highly influenced by borrowed western philosophies and try to mold ourselves into them, forgetting that original ideologies, rooted to this land, better define us. 

Is the concept of a public intellectual dying in this age of Twitter and Facebook? 

I think social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are mere tools of communication. Rather than adding or taking away from the discourses of the society, they rather reflect the rhythm and pulse of the society. I think social media follows the tide of the society, so if the society transforms then the discourse seen on social media will also follow suit. But what we can’t deny is that it provides people a platform where they can spark a discussion on things that matter and even those that don’t. 

You’ve said before that human civilisation needs renewal and rebirth. What sort of renewal do you envision for Nepal?

I think if we want to move forward, one of the first things that we need to learn is to question and think critically. We do not have the habit of questioning things and speculating possibilities from various dimensions. We always follow what we are told and do what is expected out of us. Besides this, there is also lack of communication between us. We always preach about ‘unity in diversity’ but never actually follow it. Because we do not communicate among ourselves, we read about western cultures and try to implement it, while we could be learning so much from each other. The renewal I envision for Nepal actually goes against what we have upheld as a nation until now. This renewal comes with unlearning what we have learnt and have been entrenched in. Only then we will be able to build a better Nepal.