Narayan Wagle’s
second novel Mayur Times could not be
as sensational as his debut Palpasa Café.
The critics were not satisfied with Wagle’s plot for they said it was too
simple and monotonous and it could not keep the writer’s previous standard. But
I don’t think the book is a complete trash. I see its importance for one
reason, that is, there is no other book in Nepali literature which presents so
close view of the development and practices of Nepali journalism pre and around
the April Movement of 062/63 B. S.
Being a
professional journalist, Wagle presents his keen observation of various
practices in Nepali journalism. The two lady journalists, Parag Yadav and
Lisara Tamang, are the main characters in the novel. Parag, the solo narrator
of the novel, is the editor of Mayur
Times, a local Nepali daily, and Lisara is her subordinate. Both are
courageous, honest and dutiful in their profession. The two mitinis living together in a rented room,
one from the hill and another from the terai, gives the message of unity among
the differences.
The novel begins
with the anxieties of Parag and Lisara before Parag finally gets abducted by a
group of unidentified armed men. The flashback based on Parag’s memory includes
various people and events.
At the end,
Parag is abandoned by the abductors unharmed and helpless in the middle of a
jungle at night. She is told to quit the publication of the Mayur Times, the newspaper Parag edits. Mansara,
a poor village woman, rescues her. After a short while, Lisara and a DSP arrive
at the location to take her with them. She reaches her room with them, and goes
to bed. The novel ends with uncertainty about the future when Parag wakes up in
her bed the next morning.
Many events and
quotations in the novel are directly related to Nepali journalism. The cover
photo is a portrait of a lady who has been gagged by a band that symbolizes the
lack of freedom of expression during the then King’s active rule.
The novel says that
the goons are the product of political instability in the country. In
transition period in a country any group of goons can easily be powerful. Added
the support from the political leaders, they make the administration failure.
In such a situation, physical attack on the press is no surprise.
The armed men
with refuge to a political parties cause much disturbance in the society. The
rule of law disappears from the country. Even the police are influenced. Hence,
the common people don’t feel safe.
Abduction
becomes a lucrative profession. The newspapers are filled with the news of
abductions and killings. A kidnapper has political power, so the police cannot
arrest him.
The novel brings
some bad practices of the media on the spotlight. Some newspapers cannot
maintain their professional duties and are blamed of being biased.
The flashflood development
of media has been criticized in the novel. The more media the more scandals
there will be. Conflicts rather than healthy discussions and debates draw the
attention of the media. The various fringe armed groups take advantage of it.
Every time they blast a bomb, they want coverage in the newspapers. Otherwise
they target the journalists for no coverage. Media are popularly praised as
‘the voice of the voiceless’, but at such odd situations they can become ‘the
voice of guns and goons’. Political parties and the leaders worry only about
earning more money illegally.
The competition
among rival media also gets a significant attention in the novel. When one
newspaper collapses or loses its market, it becomes a moment for celebration to
its competitors. Different techniques, including unwholesome ones, are applied.
Some newspapers are like the official paper of the administration in the name
of getting breaking news.
When journalists
do not cross-check information sources in a hurry for breaking news, they
become a tool to spread propaganda. In the novel, an FM journalist announces
blasting of a bomb 5 minutes before it actually takes place.
Many journalists
are active members of political parties. Even a non-journalist gets press card.
The person can be a businessman at night and journalist at day. Some are always
seeking a chance to obtain bribes because their income is not sufficient. This
practice has set a bad image of the media among the public. The novelist seems
worried and wanting for the change in this situation.
