Re: India's meddling: I know Nepalese have a fear of India taking over the country, but, I don't know what more they could do now that they are not already doing..Yechuri has made several trips to Nepal to speak to and on behalf of Prachanda; Karan Singh has made forays to press the role and importance of a Hindu Monarchy on the subcontinent; Advani is screaming bloody murder at the thought of a Nepal without a Hindu Monarch..Nepal's leadership has and always will be directed to some measure by India - that's a fact that may be hard to accept, but let's face it, our politicos in Nepal are only too happy to run to them when need be and run from them when it helps them politically....similar to Mccain running to Bush for money and away from Bush for votes..it's the same principle...Politics!

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Hello Captain:

It's been a long hiatus from Sajha from me, but, boy, am I happy I chose today of all days for a trip back...the eloquence and sentiments of your last post are right on point. It's about time the powers that be get to the much neglected role of governance; however, given the incessant bickering and posturing over portfollios and whose bungalow and bank balance is bigger, I doubt very much that a Republican Nepal will look markedly different from a Panchayat Nepal or a Democratic Nepal..unless and until the vermillion clad leaders learn to govern for the benefit of the country and not the self, I don't harbor much hope for change..the cynic in me at my worst I know, but, none of our erstwhile leaders has ever given me a reason to believe otherwise!

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Looteji :-), good to see you ...it's been a while, but I hope all is well.