Revisiting memories not only revives interpersonal experiences but also gathers recollections of ‘first times’, filled with the crisp excitement of new inventions. In his memoir ‘Simanta Samjhana’, Ganesh Prasad Lath traces Birgunj’s first encounters with change, both technological and social, acknowledging how these gradual developments continue to shape modern culture and lifestyle.

A writer, businessman, and social activist, Lath has articulated lived experiences through vivid imagery and satire. His stories and poems, often focusing on economic realities, have been published regularly in newspapers and magazines in Nepal over the decades. With his ancestry tracing to Rajasthan’s Marwari community and to Birgunj, Lath beautifully conveys his community’s and the city’s encounters with history and innovation.

‘Simanta Samjhana’ portrays the history of Nepal as a mosaic of the momentous, with each corner defying insignificance. Gradually shifting the narrative from science, technology, and innovation, Lath moves toward introspective experiences, foregrounding grief and mindfulness.

One of the prominent aspects in the memoir is the use of quotations by authors, philosophers, physicists, politicians and anonymous entities that remain cohesive to the chapter’s content. Placed beneath the title of each chapter, these quotations offer the readers a sense of the themes and inquiries explored in the pages that follow.

Among them are the reflections attributed to Confucius, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated”; Benjamin Franklin, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid”; and Jonathan Swift, “A wise person should have money on their head, but not in their heart.”

Lath, in his childhood, was often regarded as rather notorious, frolicking around the neighbourhood with unrestrained silliness. Revisiting his childhood, he describes his childhood games, Gillidanda, Maausuli, and doctor-patient, which invited the community’s children to a common ground. He also reflects on his early education at Gawaha Mai Mandir and the establishment of infrastructure that blended the religious and cultural heritage with an emphasis on educational uplift.

Written in simple, colloquial language, the memoir incorporates generational voices that describe the histories of various places in Birgunj. Lath not only writes about his personal observations and experiences of history, but also gathers descriptions and perceptions from those who have lived through them.

Lath reflects on wearing a watch, noting that time was once evaluated differently. He also reminisces about doing Karate and making it his life’s forte. The book also describes his experiences using a fountain pen for the first time, transferring ink via Bluetooth connections, making pen pals, and the establishment of a post office in 1818 by the then Rana prime minister, Ranodip Singh.

Cinema held a special place in people’s hearts when it was introduced for the first time in Birgunj. From ‘Pankaj Takis’ to ‘Upsara Takis’, and advancements of film screening from the digital techniques of reels and cassette recorders to multiplex cinema, people were endlessly drawn to cinema, travelling and filtering through the crowd to watch the first day-first show. The psychological effects of fictional characters on viewers are also used to reflect on their everyday conversations.

Lath also reflects upon the stern societal perception of gender roles. Women described as maiya were bound by domestic responsibilities. With a narrow environment designed to keep them from exploring the outside world, they were often also prevented from watching cinema.

Birgunj experienced evolution ranging from the food ecosystem with the first Dosa shop in 1978 to transportation, with Ashok Cycle and Electric Centre, the first cycle shop established in 1898. The book traces the rise of transportation in the city, from trucks and trains to aeroplanes.

By describing the writer’s emotional connection to the city and its people, the memoir offers evidence of Birgunj’s significance in his life. Even a simple observation, such as a water well in Simraungadh, prompts reflection, showing how places, people, and objects continue to evoke his memories.

Eight pages of archival photographs, accompanied by descriptions in the book, capture the city’s early establishments, gatherings, and community activities, underscoring the depth of research and personal conversations that inform the memoir.

From a mischievous child exploring the world to a practitioner of Vipassana engaging in self-reflection, ‘Simanta Samjhana’ completes a full circle of lived experience, blending Lath’s personal growth with the collective memory of the city that continues shaping his identity and the developmental landscape of Nepal itself.

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Simanta Samjhana

Author: Ganesh Prasad Lath

Publisher: Nepalaya

Year: 2025