King G's recent walk-about in Patan had all the hallmarks of a well-orchestrated PR campaign. A friend from Kathmandu had this to write in an email: START QUOTE I know the detractors of the monarch will say that it was all staged and paid for. I will not deny that, but I also know that all political events are staged wheter it be the Republican party or the Democrats in the US, or an event organized in Lukhnow for Mr Rahul Gandhi. It is the party machinery that goes to work to make it happen. In front of the King was a political operator who watched the crowd to make sure that a kid being carried on a father's shoulders would get to sit in the front so that a photo op could be possible END OF QUOTE Obviously, whether you love him or hate him, King G is getting some really interesting PR advice. Don't know from where. Certainly not from our fellow Nepalis; that much is sure. Could be from the sleek, media-savvy operatives from this particular British firm . . . in fact one of this firm's declared achievements is: "Design[ed] and develop[ed] a permanent military strategic communication facility capable of delivering strategic and operational psyop campaigns for a South Asian country." Another one is: "Design, build and install a Homeland Security Centre for an Asian country. The Opcentre can override all national radio and TV broadcasts in time of crisis." Could the coluntry in question be our dear old maatri.bhoomi? Once can't help but wonder. Source? The company's home page at - http://www.scl.cc/projects.php It's getting creepier by day. oohi ashu