Author Sujeev Shakya’s new book, Arthat Arthatantra, which chronicles the ups and downs of Nepal’s economy spanning from medieval times to today, was launched amid a function held on Saturday in the Capital.

Starting from the legacy of Adam Smith and Prithvi Narayan Shah in Nepal, two individuals who rose to prominence at the same time, the book, according to its publishers, offers an analytical comment on Nepal’s economic history and current financial trends.  The book was written in association with Maina Dhital. 

“Wherever our [Nepalis] conversation starts, it will inevitably end in a discussion about  the country’s economy,” Shakya said during the launch, “That is why I chose this quirky title.” He also emphasised that he had deliberately avoided technical jargon so as to make the book palatable for the general reader. Shakya is an economic expert and a columnist. He is also the incumbent chair of Nepal’s Economic Forum. For somebody who has been involved in the private sector closely, Shakya said that this book has raised questions on several facets of private enterprises.

Speaking about the book, Shakya, who primarily writes in English, said that he now aims to reach out to the Nepali readership base. “This is my first book in Nepali and I am excited to reach the Nepali readership,” he said. Before this, he had published Unleashing Nepal, which was published by Penguin books in 2009.  At the event, Shakya was joined on stage by three young entrepreneurs—Prakash Koirala (from Finlit), Nikita Acharya (from Urban Girl) and Kencho Paldo Ongdi (from Everest sumit lodge)—who despite being well travelled and educated abroad opted to return to Nepal to start successful businesses. A brief Q&A session followed the official launch of the book.

Arthat Arthatantra is published by nepa-laya.