Shiv, In that interview, Sharma says: "As a member of ACABQ [at the United Nations], I am supposed to be an independent expert." Taking Sharma at his word, he sounds like he is an UN official who is on UN's payroll -- and therefore no longer on HMG's payroll. It's likely that Sharma might have indulged in these politically colorful extracurriculars as a Nepali (during his non-UN hours). I don't see why he can't continue on with his interest -- when it's he who, at the end of the day, assumes ALL RISKS and REWARDS associated his extracurricular activities. Let the man speak, and do whatever he wants in public. He too has every right to speak about what's happening in his country. Yes, he has a right to speech, and that does NOT mean he also has a right to have an audience It's one thing to disagree with his ideas with reasons. But it's another to attack him by saying "well, he can't do that because he's in this and that position, and, what's more, he's also a khattam person". I don't know what kind of "khattam person" he is. And I don't care. But let's accept that even "khattam persons" can worry about and share their views about Nepal in their own ways. oohi ashu