TIME: Where is Nepal heading? Gyanendra: The future of Nepal, yes, lies in constitutional monarchy and multiparty democracy. Economically, it lies in openness and competition, and in joining the WTO [World Trade Organization]. Socially, we are in a difficult phase: some infrastructure, some of the basic things that were gelling the country together, have been trampled. There has been a lot of injury to much of rural Nepal, which needs to be addressed. TIME: Are you worried about recent student protests demanding a republic? Gyanendra: Should it concern me? Is that public sentiment? Yes I agree the monarchy in Nepal does conduct itself according to the aspirations and hopes of the people. It reflects those. But my government has advised me that these protests might be only pressure tactics [by political opponents]. And anyway, the government has a job to uphold the law of the land. Does the law allow them to say things like this? TIME: People see you as very different to your late brother, King Birendra. Gyanendra: Too many people misunderstood my brother too. They took his kindness for weakness and they exploited that. I know many people realize how peace-loving and how development-oriented he was, but I ask them to realize how close we were. His role was very, very constructive too and I think mine is just an extension of that. The circumstances I face are slightly different so our styles are slightly different. But just because I have spelled out what I want to do does not make me any better or any worse. TIME: What's it like being a living god? Gyanendra: I've been waiting for you to ask this. On the question of the living-god thing, let me interpret it this way: we were given the personification of Vishnu and Vishnu is the preserver of all things. And I'm glad that my role?the role I have to play?has been spelled out like that, just as it is in the constitution. But I'm a pragmatic and practical person. I've never said I'm God. TIME: Outline what you see in Nepal's future. Gyanendra: With discipline, dedication and determination, prosperity. Source; Time Asia