YUBAK SHRESTHA/NAGARIK

A few days back former king Gyanendra lamented Nepal's situation saying how little things have changed since he left and Nepal was declared a ganatantara. The ex-king's words rang true last week when Kathmandu came to a standstill for the president's 'sawari' reminding the residents of the royal years. Kathmandu's traffic was disrupted for five hours that day, and people could neither walk on the streets nor move their vehicles. Incidents like these make Nepalis question whether things have actually changed since the king left.

People feel let down by the very person they thought would end such traditions. It is true that the president needs security but the government must not harass its citizens while providing such facilities. Instead of stirring up this chaos on the roads, the president should have been picked up by a helicopter. This could have been cheaper, saved people trouble and the president all the criticism.