Even radical leftists say Nepal's parliamentary democracy gives enough space for all parties to use the ballot instead of the bullet. But the Maoists believe in a shortcut to power.

Little did we know that only 2-3 km away Kanak was spending his third night out in the open, drinking rain, talking to wild animals to keep them away, and esperately anchoring himself on rocks so that he would not slip off the ledge to the river below.

A Nepali looks at the Bhutan model. A Bhutanese proposes a new Nepali model.

Dogged by delays, the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara is now scheduled for opening in 2002.

Freedom has meant a daily struggle for kamaiyas and relief in yet far away

Kathmandu 's most popular rendezvous and viewing stand

Fashion boutiques have blossomed in Kathmandu, and women are saying "We're Free!" with their clothes.

Men need to keep women weak,off the football field and out of the boxing ring,so they can continue to feel strong.They do this by criticising muscular women,announcing they are unfeminine,whispering that they are probably lesbians.

As the English Premier League kicks off,Manchester United fans, like this rickshaw puller in Thamel, are awake past midnight watching their favourite team on cable.

Drugs will be simmering beneath the surface at the Sydney Games.The criterion for success these days is not justwinning -but being able to win without being found out.

Memes are the very building blocks of culture.Not every meme is a big idea,but any meme with the right stuff can go global once it hits the Internet.