Lost in Transition: Rebuilding Nepal from Maoist Mayhem and Mega Earthquake, a book penned by former UN official Kul Chandra Gautam, was launched at Nepalaya, on Saturday.

Gautam, one of Nepal’s premier diplomats, has served as an Assistant General-Secretary of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of Unicef, during his career that spanned over 35 years. The book is Gautam’s take on the Nepal’s recent political history.

The book was formally made public by gifting

the official first copy to former President

Dr Ram Baran Yadav.

“Gautam’s book is a political commentary

coupled with the author’s experiences,” said political scientist Hari Sharma, during his introductory speech. “This book is reflective rather than academic,” he added. During an interaction with Sharma, the author said that as he firmly believed in

the principles of the United Nations and was one of the first persons advocating for the UN’s role in

resolution of Maoist conflict, however, he has criticised the role of some UN officials deputed in Nepal during the peace process.

Gautam said nobody should make any

compromise on the issues of human rights, rule of law, and democracy.

“At the time when the base for democracy and prosperity was being built, the Maoists  raised the issues of the exploited and the marginalised,” Gautam said. “Their movement, however, mired the country at a critical point of time when it was rising after the reinstatement of multiparty democracy.”

The book includes an epilogue on India’s de facto blockade against Nepal with the author making suggestions on how Nepal should deal with its neighbours while protecting its rights and interests.

Gautam also called for an end to Nepal’s seemingly endless political transition and shifting the nation’s focus to economic development and social progress without further delay.

The book has been published by Nepalaya Publication.