Mukti Rijal

Prakash A Raj is a writer of multi-faceted talents who has produced and gifted books on various themes and subjects. Several dozen books authored by him comprise genres and categories from history, biography, travelogues, reminiscences, anecdotal accounts to fictions that make him one of the widely read and acclaimed writers both inside and outside the country.
This columnist had had the opportunity of introducing and reviewing books authored by Prakash jee in this esteemed newspaper in the past and feels honoured to write a few observations on his tribute presented in the form of a book titled " Memories of My Mother "to his revered mother late Kiran Kumari Pandey who passed away a few months ago.
I feel intensely motivated and sentimentally touched by the tributes and words of honour voiced to express solemn gratitude and debt to the parents by their offspring -sons and daughters-whether they are living or passed away. It must be around three decades ago my parents had passed away. I get increasingly grief-stricken and pained now more than in the past as I come of age and realise what takes it to rear and take care of their offspring. When I recollect those days, I can feel how difficult it would have been for them to bring us up especially amidst the economic hardships and difficulties in the remote rural communities of Nepal.
As I go through the fleeting glimpses of memories and episodes recounted in the book authored by Prakash, I am haunted by the rushing flashes of reminiscences of my late mother of the days around two and a half decades ago when I had to see her off to back home to Arghakhanchi as doctors in Kathmandu had advised us to take her home and organise to fulfil her last wishes of the life because she was terminally ill. Prakash ji's octogenarian mother Kiran Kumari Pandey who passed away a few months ago was suffering from Alzheimer's disease which progressed rapidly to yield her into death.
My task of introducing and reviewing the work 'Memories of My Mother " has been made easier by the enriching and illuminating observations by Mohan P. Lohani and Dr Abhi Subedi which have been included as a prelude in the book. I borrow a paragraph from the observation of Dr Abhi Subedi on Prakash's tribute to his late mother Kiran Kumari Pandey.
Dr Abhi Subedi writes " This is a miniscule history of family, power, moments of shifts in the power structure." He writes further " while reading the biography one can meet the Rana rulers, the Shah monarchs and the courtiers that includes Prakash ji's father Keshari Raj Pandey who worked at the UNESCO in Paris for a long time before retiring and becoming Badagurujyu or the Chief Royal Preceptor".
One needs to be advised to go through the biographical treatise on Kiran Kumari Pandey written by Prof. Dr Gargi Sharma as a supplementary reader that delves deep into multidimensional aspects of Kiran Kumari's life. Kiran Kumari had tied the nuptial knot at the age of 12 with Keshari Raj Pandey, an illustrious son of Hem Raj Pandey who was an erudite person and an acclaimed scholar of national and international reputation. Scholar extraordinary Hem Raj Pandey had collected one of the three important libraries in Nepal. The personal library was later handed over to the government which was housed consequently in an annexe at Harihar Bhawan. It was later identified as the national library endowed with a rich collection of books and classics. It was an important repository of knowledge on history, literature, cultures, biographies and relevant social science disciplines. The earthquake destroyed the building around five years ago and the books in the library are reported to be in unkempt and neglectful conditions.
Prakash A Raj is a prolific writer as mentioned at the outset of this write-up. Furthermore, the importance of this work lies in the fact it contributes towards upholding the values of inter-generational affection and respect which is losing ground during contemporary times. Thanks to Prakash jee for this noble and inspiring work.