The life stories of veteran tourism entrepreneur Shyam Mohan Shrestha, 'The Lightning Life of a Wanderer' and 'An Overland Odyssey', have come together for readers.

On Saturday, former ambassador Kedar Bhakta Mathema, writer Karna Shakya, film director Prakash Sayami, writer Bhagirathi Shrestha, professor Dr. Kashiraj Pandey, banker Sushilram Mathema, founder of Gate College Khem Lakai and the writer jointly launched the book.

Chief guest and former Vice-Chancellor of Tribhuvan University Mathema said that both of Shyam Mohan's books are life stories of someone who keeps moving forward in life but never gives up. He commented that the book is inspiring for the young generation who are struggling to find their place in society. 'I met Shyam Mohan six decades ago when I was studying French at Durbar School,' said Mathema, 'These two books contain the stories of my generation. That is why I find them very interesting. It has also expanded Nepal's body of knowledge.' He also praised the author for not hiding anything about his life events and experiences.

Tourism writer Karna Shakya said that both the books have a lot of 'sense of humor'. 'Shyamohan and I have been friends since 1970-71. He first served me the bitter coffee he brought from France at the Air France office,' he said, 'We are a little bit of a hobbyist, a little bit of a hooligan, a little bit of a hippie, a little bit of a cynic and a little bit of a hothead. Sometimes we even insult each other.' He pointed out that Shyammohan's ups and downs have a shadow of the seven-color rainbow in his life story and that it is written with the ink of the heart.

Director Sayami said that Shyammohan's two books are not just autobiographies but also exciting documents of travel, love, romance, experience and self-discovery. 'The unique work given by Shyam Mohan, a distinguished figure of Nepali society, is worth reading to the end,' he said, 'It also contains the thread of France-Nepal friendly relations. Its impact and importance will remain for a long time.'

Literary writer Bhagirathi Shrestha said that once you hold the book in your hand, you cannot put it down. Shyam Mohan's ambitious but honest life will be found in the book.

Professor Dr. Pandey said that the seven-month journey he took from Kathmandu to Paris by bus and train in 1970 at the age of 22 was like the story of Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist'. Banker Mathema pointed out that both books are like captivating novels and commented that Shrestha has succeeded in writing all the incidents of his life with great ease and courage.

In the program, Lakai said that Shyammohan presented his life as an open book and wrote without being bound by the moral boundaries drawn by society, such as right and wrong, while author Shrestha expressed satisfaction that his dream of writing a book 55 years ago has finally come true and said that he has written a book in both Nepali and English to inform future generations about the ups and downs of his life.

Shyammohan Shrestha, who is also the founding president of the Nepal-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, worked for Air France for 30 years and made a significant contribution to the tourism industry by opening the Mirabel Hotel in Dhulikhel. In 2019, he received the highest civilian honor of the French government, 'Chevalier du Lord National de la Légion d'Or' for his special role in Nepal-France relations.