ON DHAKA TOPIS: As someone of a Chhetri/Thakuri background with roots in the "pahade" culture, yes I do hold tremendous pride in DHAKA TOPIS and DAURA SURUWALS. Those who know me well know how much passion I have for those attires, lok-dohori geets, jhyaure dances, etc. But this does not mean I should reagrd the paraphernalias related to my personal roots as being generally NEPALI. I mean, does a Dhaka topi represent any other Nepalis other than Chhettri-Bahuns? Is daura suruwal actualy a proper representation of Gurungs/magars, Sherpas, Kiraantis, Tharus etc.? I think not. The fallacy of the the panchayat regime has been that in the name of national unity and homogeneity, they have IMPOSED the culture, religion and other practices of the ruling class, i.e., the Chhettri-Bahun class, on the janajatis and other ethnic minorities of Nepal. yes, DHAKA TOPI can be regarded as PART of the Nepali culture, but to claim that it represents NEPALIS as a while is downright prejudicial to other culture that are prevalent within the borders of Nepal.