Abha Eli Phoboo's 'Adjusting Nepali time' (#243) was timely. Here is a suggestion: Bikram Sambat's first day, 1 Baisakh, can be moved each year by one day so that it ultimately catches up with 1 April in the Georgian calender in 14 years. Our Baisakh will then perfectly coincide with April and other months will match accordingly and days can be gradually adjusted to Gregorian. Meanwhile, there is no sole authority in the Hindu religion, so it will be very difficult for the public to accept changes made by unauthorised astrologers.

Gyaneswor Pokharel,
West Virginia, USA

. What does Abha Eli Phoboo mean by 'Nepali new year on 1 Baisakh'? I am confused because 1 Baisakh is also celebrated in many countries as New Year's Day. People in Tamil Nadu, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam celebrate new year on 14 April too. Were they all celebrating the Nepali new year or what? She also reports that the lunar calendar of the 'Newari' Nepal Sambat was specific to only one community. As far as I know, the Nepal Sambat calendar is based on the same moon orbiting over our heads. For example, full moon day according to Nepal Sambat falls on the same day as in other lunar calendars. The Newars do not have their own full moon days that are different from the rest of the galaxy.

Bhai Kaji Bhaju,
Kathmandu