Working as a journalist in Nepal, Rohej Khatiwada has translated numerous articles into the Nepali language. These articles addressed topics such as global politics, economics, and technological advancements. He pursued this passion without realising that one day these articles would come together to form a book.
“I did not write these pieces to publish a book,” says Khatiwada.
These translations served diverse purposes, primarily for publication in the media. All the articles featured in Khatiwada’s debut book Ekkaisau Shatabdi Ma Nigrani Ra Swatantrata (Surveillance and Freedom in the 21st Century) have been translated in the last couple of years. The book contains selected articles from his collection of translated pieces.
“The translated articles depict the opinion of the brilliant and critical thinkers of the contemporary world,” says Khatiwada. “They show how those brilliant minds have been analysing the developments that are occurring presently.”
The book also includes information about specific events. For instance, Debashish Roy Choudhury has expressed about the Democracy Summit, hosted by the USA. According to Khatiwada, the articles in the book feature the major characteristics of the first quarter of the 21st century.
Khatiwada hopes that these articles will serve as valuable resources for analysing present developments in the future.
Calling
As Rohej Khatiwada reviewed his writings, one day he entertained the idea of compiling them all in one place. The intriguing aspects of his articles motivated Khatiwada to gather them together and publish them as a book. He shared this idea with a few friends, all of whom responded positively and bolstered his confidence.
He recalls one of his friends, LB Basnet, currently pursuing a PhD in the USA, expressing the opinion that Nepali readers should be aware of how brilliant thinkers around the world perceive the contemporary world.
“That’s why you must work on this book as soon as possible,” Basnet advised, urging Khatiwada to proceed with the project.
The publisher of the book, Bishnu Poudel, equally motivated him to publish this book through his publication, Indigo Ink.
“He then said, this is going to be an interesting book, readers are searching for such books,” says Khatiwada.
Most of the essays were translated randomly, with some selected after the decision to publish the book. The article by Paul Mason and Yanis Varoufakis was also translated after deciding on the theme of the book.
Khatiwada’s interest in the issues of global economic politics and technological advancement additionally helped him to select appropriate essays for a book.
Most of the articles featured in the book have already been published in various media outlets, but a couple of them have not. Nevertheless, Khatiwada believes that reading those articles separately in different media and within a single book can provide a different and enriching experience.
Book for intellect
Some of the resources from which the articles for the book have been obtained are from international media such as The Guardian, Financial Times, and Project Syndicate. Articles have also been transcribed from speeches.
Akin to various other books this book also has its targeted readers. According to the author, for people who are interested in global political economics and the advancement of technology and its impact, this book can be a good read.
In the 21st century, the world saw a revolution in technology. The 19th and 20th century was about a revolution in engines. In the late 20th century, the innovation of computers and the internet caused a revolution in technology. The development of technology directly impacted global economics and politics. The book interestingly covers all of these matters.
Regarding the takeaways that the readers from this book can grab, Khatiwada says it will be based on readers’ interest, background and the book they have read earlier.
But in general, one can learn about the political and economic structure of the first quarter of the 21st century. Some essays in the book can be an entry point for the readers to explore the global political order, he says.
“People are curious about the rise of Donald Trump, Javier Milei, Narendra Modi and other powerful figures of the world. Reading this book can answer their curiosity.”
The title of the book Ekkaisau Shatabdi Ma Nigrani Ra Swatantrata is named by considering the meeting point of all the essays, which is mostly about global political economics and technological changes.
Talking to the Onlinekhabar, Rohej Khatiwada also discusses how technological development has strengthened surveillance, drawing from his knowledge gained through reading and translating articles on global political economics and technological progress.
“Each and every time we are under surveillance, freedom is shrinking. From giant tech to small apps to the government, everyone can keep us under surveillance,” he says. “It has made authoritarian companies easy to put into citizen surveillance.”
Khatiwada further says, such a thing has made politicians extremely powerful. It has violated the freedom of the citizens and the politicians have been able to control the citizens and manipulate the people.
The book features articles from 11 individuals. According to the author, each of them is related in a way that they are all brilliant critical thinkers of contemporary times. Their perspectives collectively aim to make readers aware of the present economic and political conditions of the world.
Unlike for English readers, Nepali readers face a dearth of books that delve into global political economics and the impact of technological advancements. Khatiwada’s “Ekkaisau Shatabdi Ma Nigrani Ra Swatantrata” has attempted to fill this gap. However, the demand for books on such topics is relatively low, which automatically demotivates publishers.
As the book talks a lot about data and artificial intelligence, regarding the future of these two subjects, Khaitwada says, “I am not in the position to assume the future of technology. But some articles of the book indicate their future.”
An article by Paul Mason revolves around how the development of technology can serve humanity. The articles in the book discuss big data and the significance of information in the 21st century.
“If we can distribute the information through the right channel and system, poverty in the world can end. If big data has community ownership, it can serve all of humanity.”
Khatiwada informs both Yuval Noah Harari, who is a liberal thinker and Yanis Varoufakis, who is a Marxist thinker argue that the private or government ownership of data is dangerous.
The private ownership of data can oppress people economically. It creates disparity among the people and causes poverty. The wealth will be only with those who own big data, says both thinkers.
Another interesting thing that this tells is how the development of information has enriched Artificial Intelligence.
With the development of AI, it is also taking the jobs of humans, says Khatiwada, referring to how the restaurant has been operating AI waiters and hospital operating AI nurses.
“If this continues unemployment is going to be a big problem. If we do not develop proper channels to distribute the information generated from big data, unemployment will be everywhere,” says Khatiwada.
Ekaisau Satabdi Ma Nigrani Ra Swatantrata was launched in March in Umoja Coffee, Kathmandu.
