KATHMANDU: An autobiographical book written by Saraswati Gyawali has been launched today amidst a programme organised at Alfa Beta House in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu.

The book called "Laltin ko Ujyalo ma" was jointly launched by Dr Binda Pandey, TU English Department Professor Krishna Chandra Sharma, Commissioner of Information Commission Yasodha Timilsina, and Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Tham Maya Thapa.

The event, hosted by Sujan Gyawali, was attended by more than three hundred people. Talking about her motivation behind publishing the book, author Gyawali said, "I wanted to chronicle the life of a person who journeyed through the state of being a naive girl to a party cadre, employee, wife and a mother."

On being repeatedly asked by friends and reporters as to why she — the wife of an active communist leader, Pradip Kumar Gyawali — had remained 'passive', Gyawali decided to bring out the autobiography to narrate her side of the story and also to encourage other people to come out and share their stories.

The host further shed light on the subject matter of the book by reading an excerpt. The book begins with the story of the author who began her journey as a normal village girl born in Madan Pokhara of Palpa. She spent most of her childhood at her maternal house and started her education very late. When forced by her family to get married at a very young age, she left home to continue her studies. The book reflects on her journey in communism and how she got married to a person who had taken the same path. It also tells how she eventually took on the role of a housewife.

The author explains in the book how as a party cadre, she had to juggle between her house, the party and her job. The autobiography also talks about the author being employed in dozens of jobs throughout various phases of her life.

Likewise, the book highlights the narrative of a wife who for the sake of her husband's prosperity took a step back from her own ambitions, and of a mother whose first-born suffered from a stroke 30 years ago, who is yet to utter the word "mother".

In the programme, Professor Sharma talked about how Gyawali's autobiography conformed with the literary theories of autogenography, meditation and eastern aesthetics among others.

Meanwhile, Dr Binda Pandey examined the book through the lenses of political history and talked about reflections of representation of women who have to balance multiple duties while fulfilling her dreams. She also expressed that the book had elements similar to her own life.

Further, author Saraswati Gyawali, in the programme, talked about how a woman should speak about herself, express her emotions and step-up on a higher pedestal. She also said that women are already qualified for more complicated and responsible positions, and there are many instances of the wife owning the platform while the husband stays in the audience, humourously referring to the seating position designed by the organisers where all women were seated on the stage.

She also urged the government, ministers and lawmakers present at the programme to work more for the welfare of women, and towards children suffering from illnesses without treatment.

The launch programme was also attended by her husband and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradip Gyawali, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Rabindra Adhikari and other distinguished personalities.

Published by Akshar Creation, "Laltin ko Ujyalo ma" has been priced at Rs 320.