KATHMANDU, APRIL 13

Writers and critics commented that 'Naya Yugko Padachap' - an anthology of speeches by Dahal - was meaningful and true to its name.

A collection of 61 speeches delivered by CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairperson and former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal during his stints as PM on two occasions are included in the anthology published by Pragya Smriti Pratisthan.

Loosely translated as 'Footsteps of New Era' in English, the anthology encompasses contents that are true to its title, voiced the writers and critics univocally at a discussion organised here today by Nahasanskritik Federation Nepal and Pragya Memorial Foundation.

Federation chairperson Matrika Pokharel said the articles and contents included in the book had made it clear that many realities, issues and matters during Dahal's leadership could not reach the public domain realistically at a time when a pool of false and misleading information were cooked up and spread.

Commenting on the book, critic Tej Bilash Adhikari asserted that the articles and contents of the book had clearly established Dahal as a person who would take forward the achievements. 'The collection of Dahal's speeches shed light on the inter-conflict and achievements of decade-long insurgency, federalism, secularism, republicanism and inclusiveness, and the agendas strongly advocated and pushed forward by the Maoist party,' Adhikari shared.

According to him, the book comprises a collection of 46 speeches that Dahal had delivered during his first and second tenure as the PM.

The speeches also highlight the efforts of the erstwhile Maoist-led two governments to abolish the Haliya system, establishment of Madhyapaschim University, establishment of agriculture support centres and development of agriculture in all seven provinces, increase in revenue, among others.

'Some of the achievements under the Maoist leadership are presented in bullet points in the book,' informed Adhikari.

Another critic Prof Dr Dhana Prasad Subedi commented that the book had illustrated matters of public concern such as people's war, peace process, and constitutional complexities, among others.

He viewed that Dahal's speeches in the initial phase as the PM were laden with aggression.

Some speeches later tend to impart that message that foreign and domestic forces had tried to push for stagnation while taking strides in favour of the country.

The book also presents Maoist views on education, health, women, indigenous communities, backward classes, among others. 'The book has come out as a blend of history, socialism and literature,' he opined, adding that the book was a reflection of political movements since the people's war.

A version of this article appears in the print on April 14, 2022, of The Himalayan Times