I remember the times when I used to rail against this guy. He used to drive me nuts with his power plays and his selfishness for the prime ministerial position. The musical chairs of Nepali politics - I blamed on him. Since 1994 when he became Prime Minister, I have and mostly still do blame Nepal's misfortunes on his failed leadership. However, despite his failings, he has been THE towering figure in recent Nepali politics. My respect for him grew during the April 2006 uprising, that led to a more or less bloodless end to what was turning out to be an authoratarian monarchy. I supported Gyanendra's move when he took over power, both the October coup when he got rid of the "incompetent Sher Bahadur" and the Feb 1 coup. I was in favor of these moves mostly because of the sheer frustration of Girija like politics after the 1990 revolution. But boy, was I wrong about Gyanendra. The musical chairs of Girija seemed to become a better choice than the foolish, but selfish grab on power by Chairman Gyanendra. The then King Gyanendra completely failed to see what leadership was needed in Nepal, instead he tried to follow the Panchayat Era, misusing state funds, and bringing in people like Kirti Nidhi Bista and Tulsi Giri, men who screwed up Nepal during the Panchayat Era more or less as badly as Girija. My respect for Girija Koirala went from the nadir to the zenith for his bold leadership during the April 2006 revolution. At that time, he was the leader that everyone looked up to.

There is a story that after the April 2006 revolution when the monarchy was in suspension and Girija Koirala was the interim head of state, he had gone to India (I believe for a SAARC meeting). At the airport, waiting for him was Man Mohan Singh, the Indian PM. This was the first time ever that an Indian PM came to greet a Nepali PM at the Airport. When Girija expressed his surprise to see Man Mohan Singh, the Indian PM replied "Right now, you are the most towering figure in South Asia". And at that time, he was. Since then, even though Girija somewhat went back to his old ways (like pushing for his daughter to plum positions of power), his leadership at that time is what most, and certainly I, will remember him by.

He was always good out of power, defending democracy. But things always turned sour when he came into power. And come into power, he did - a five time Prime Minister. Girijia Koirala is the son of a man whose three sons went on to become PM. A Guiness world record! But I believe Girija's role in Nepali politics will have a longer lasting effect than that of certainly Matrika Koirala, but also that of the charismatic B.P. Koirala. That is however, where the dynasty should end. No more Sujata or Sushil!

Yes, Koirala has been a towering figure in Nepali politics. Yes, Nepalese politicians should learn to do the good things he has done, and learn to avoid the worse things he represented.

My son was born 2 days before Girija Koirala died. But when I start to teach him the history of Nepali politics, I will be telling him that I lived in the time of Girija Koirala. That speaks of the man himself.

I had the opportunity to be extended a reception at the Prime Minister's residence in 2001 after the Mahendra Vidya Bhusan awards, and attached is a photo of myself with 5-time Prime Minister Koirala. It wasn't a photograph that I cared for then, but certainly worth uploading now. A good addition to my celebrity album.
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With the late Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, the most towering figure in current Nepali Politics. 5 time Prime Minister (born Feb 20, 1925. Died March 20, 2010)

I remember the times when I used to rail against this guy. He used to drive me nuts with his power plays and his selfishness for the prime ministerial position. The musical chairs of Nepali politics - I blamed on him. Since 1994 when he became Prime Minister, I have and mostly still do blame Nepal's misfortunes on his failed leadership. However, despite his failings, he has been THE towering figure in recent Nepali politics. My respect for him grew during the April 2006 uprising, that led to a more or less bloodless end to what was turning out to be an authoratarian monarchy. I supported Gyanendra's move when he took over power, both the October coup when he got rid of the "incompetent Sher Bahadur" and the Feb 1 coup. I was in favor of these moves mostly because of the sheer frustration of Girija like politics after the 1990 revolution. But boy, was I wrong about Gyanendra. The musical chairs of Girija seemed to become a better choice than the foolish, but selfish grab on power by Chairman Gyanendra. The then King Gyanendra completely failed to see what leadership was needed in Nepal, instead he tried to follow the Panchayat Era, misusing state funds, and bringing in people like Kirti Nidhi Bista and Tulsi Giri, men who screwed up Nepal during the Panchayat Era more or less as badly as Girija. My respect for Girija Koirala went from the nadir to the zenith for his bold leadership during the April 2006 revolution. At that time, he was the leader that everyone looked up to.
 
There is a story that after the April 2006 revolution when the monarchy was in suspension and Girija Koirala was the interim head of state, he had gone to India (I believe for a SAARC meeting). At the airport, waiting for him was Man Mohan Singh, the Indian PM. This was the first time ever that an Indian PM came to greet a Nepali PM at the Airport. When Girija expressed his surprise to see Man Mohan Singh, the Indian PM replied "Right now, you are the most towering figure in South Asia". And at that time, he was. Since then, even though Girija somewhat went back to his old ways (like pushing for his daughter to plum positions of power), his leadership at that time is what most, and certainly I, will remember him by.
 
He was always good out of power, defending democracy. But things always turned sour when he came into power. And come into power, he did - a five time Prime Minister. Girijia Koirala is the son of a man whose three sons went on to become PM. A Guiness world record! But I believe Girija's role in Nepali politics will have a longer lasting effect than that of certainly Matrika Koirala, but also that of the charismatic B.P. Koirala. That is however, where the dynasty should end. No more Sujata or Sushil!
 
Yes, Koirala has been a towering figure in Nepali politics. Yes, Nepalese politicians should learn to do the good things he has done, and learn to avoid the worse things he represented.
 
My son was born 2 days before Girija Koirala died. But when I start to teach him the history of Nepali politics, I will be telling him that I lived in the time of Girija Koirala. That speaks of the man himself.