Bhubaneswar : The 12th edition of the Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) witnessed a landmark moment with the grand launch of Made in Nepal, the much-anticipated book by renowned industrialist, philanthropist, and author Dr. Binod Chaudhary, at the Mayfair Convention, Bhubaneswar.
The book was unveiled during the inaugural ceremony of the festival in the august presence of Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, along with an eminent gathering of national and international dignitaries, cultural leaders, ministers, parliamentarians, and literary luminaries.
Distinguished guests present on the dais included Dr. Upali Pannilage, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development, Government of Sri Lanka; Shri Harivansh, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Rajya Sabha; Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of Culture and Sports, Government of Odisha; Shri Sujeet Kumar, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Odisha; Dr. Pratibha Ray, Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan Awardee; Shri Sudarshan Sahoo, Padma Vibhushan Awardee; Smt. Tanaya Patnaik, Executive Director, Sambad Group; Dr. Soumya Ranjan Samal, industrialist and philanthropist; along with KLF Patron & CEO Shri Ashok Kumar Bal and KLF Founder & Director Shri Rashmi Ranjan Parida.
Made in Nepal chronicles Dr. Chaudhary’s extraordinary journey across more than 200 businesses worldwide and offers a powerful narrative on nation-building, entrepreneurship, and Nepal’s emergence as a global manufacturing and business hub. More than a memoir, the book reflects a deeply personal and national vision — capturing the spirit of resilience, pride, and self-belief that defines Nepal’s modern economic story.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Binod Chaudhary remarked that the book is “a tribute to the idea of Nepal — its people, its potential, and its place in the global economic order.”
The book launch was followed by the Kalinga International Living Legend Award being conferred upon Dr. Chaudhary, recognising his unparalleled contribution to industry, philanthropy and literature.
A special featured session titled ‘Made in Nepal’, with noted author and commentator Lipika Bhushan in conversation with Dr. Chaudhary, further explored the ideas, experiences and national vision captured in the book.
The launch of Made in Nepal stands as one of the most significant highlights of KLF 2026, reinforcing the festival’s role as a global platform for voices that shape culture, ideas, and nations.
ABOUT THE BOOK
‘Trouble!’ I said to Ajay, out of the corner of my mouth.
‘I think we’re being kidnapped.’ I had dealt with Maoists in Nepal, and the ULFA in India, but these chaps looked like they were several leagues ahead of them; they made all the militants I had ever come across seem like small fry. One, who appeared to be the leader, walked towards us.
‘Are you Binod Chaudhary?’
I gulped. They even knew my name! Clearly, there was no point making a run for it. I nodded, mentally saying goodbye to my family. ‘Sir, we are part of your security detail.
We’ve been sent by the factory to take you there. It is not good to stay here. Come.’ I nodded, still too stunned to grasp what was happening. Clearly, I was not being kidnapped. These seeming ruffians, whom I thought were hitmen, had been sent to protect me! Dear God! Where was I?
For Binod Chaudhary, the founder of CG Corp Global, Nepal’s largest conglomerate, nothing brings more satisfaction than seeing the Nepalese flag fly high in all their factories across the globe. Where once competitors were unaware that a country such as Nepal existed and others mistook it for a state of India, today the group’s decade-long growth has put Nepal firmly on the global map.
Notably, Wai Wai, his popular noodle brand, is no longer limited to sales in neighbouring India, but has expanded to reach countries as geographically apart as Serbia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Bangladesh and Egypt. Recognized by Forbes as Nepal’s first billionaire, Binod Chaudhary is a fearless risk-taker ready to push all boundaries, fighting fit and looking to pit his pawn against a rival’s knight, usually to the latter’s detriment.
In Made in Nepal, Chaudhary takes us on an incredible journey, detailing his forays into more than 200 businesses globally—from Asia to Europe to Africa—including cement, hospitality, telecom, banking and pharmaceuticals, and the challenges he takes head-on, sometimes successfully and sometimes as a learning.
Candid and inspiring, peppered with anecdotes that are both engaging and humorous, this story of a man with unmatched self-belief, nationalism and tenacity will fill you with passion and purpose.
Harper Business | HB | 272pp | INR 699
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Binod K. Chaudhary is a philanthropist, politician and businessman from Nepal. He serves as the Chaudhary Group’s president and chairman. He was named Nepal’s lone billionaire and wealthiest individual in February 2013. In addition to his business, which focuses on production, distribution, retail and leisure, he has written books, made movies and done charitable work. He received an honorary doctorate degree from Sri Sri University, Odisha, in 2015 in recognition of his exceptional philanthropic contributions.
