* **Globalization and Technology:** Globalization and the increasing availability of technology have played a significant role in shaping the reading culture in Nepal. * **Challenges and Opportunities:** Nepal faces challenges in promoting reading culture, but also presents opportunities for growth. * **Impact on Education:** The reading culture has a direct impact on education, influencing literacy rates and overall learning outcomes.
This statement reflects a broader trend in Nepal, where a growing number of young people are embracing book culture and actively engaging with literature. This trend is fueled by several factors, including the rise of online platforms, the increasing accessibility of books, and the growing awareness of the importance of reading. The rise of online platforms has been a significant catalyst for the book culture revival in Nepal.
Saguna Shah: I started bOOkahOlics in 2015. It was born out of a simple desire to connect with other book lovers in Nepal. I was a passionate reader myself, and I felt there was a lack of platforms for people to share their love for books and connect with each other.
Sangita Swechcha: Monthly discussions like “Chakati Bahas” are a unique feature of bOOkahOlics. How has this evolution shaped the original mission of promoting a reading culture in Nepal? Saguna Shah:Martin Chautari, primarily envisioned as a research-based library, facilitated discussions that met the needs of researchers, social activists, journalists, and other professionals. In 2013, Prabhakar Gautam, a journalist and a fellow admin at the time, proposed the idea of hosting monthly discussions in that very space. Chautari welcomed the idea. Two years after its inception as a virtual platform, we launched Chakati Bahas, an initiative that bridged the gap between readers and writers by bringing them together in one space to engage in critical discussions about selected books. The outbreak of COVID-19 disrupted many aspects of our lives that we had long taken for granted. Not only were all activities halted, but the fear of isolation, confinement to our homes, and maintaining social distance from one another was overwhelming. During this time, the current team of admins Ganesh Karki, Mohit Joshi, Sanjit Bharati, Richa, Bibek Mishra, and Karmath Subedi — came up with the idea, during a casual virtual meeting, to host an hour with the authors each evening. The goal was to have authors share their experiences as readers, their writing journeys, their books, or anything else they wished to discuss with their readers. While some authors were enthusiastic, others were initially skeptical. This initiative continued for one hundred days with one hundred consecutive sessions. We had never imagined that this would become something we eagerly anticipated each evening, but it provided a significant sense of solace.
The rise of digital platforms has drastically changed the way we consume and engage with literature. We are now able to access a wider range of books, articles, and other literary content than ever before. **In essence, the reading culture has become more diverse, inclusive, and readily accessible.
Sangita Swechcha: What challenges do you think Nepali literature faces today in terms of reaching a broader audience, both locally and internationally?
