I am asked often about the future of the Nepalese monarchy. Suffice to say that the King has just this weekend celebrated his 61st birthday and of the 800 invitees to his party only 125 accepted. Those who declined included the (excellent) British Ambassador, Dr Andrew Hall.
Elsewhere in Nepal, two nights ago a tractor carrying eleven people on their way to a marriage celebration overturned and fell into a canal. The driver was apparently drunk. All the passengers were drowned, nine of them children. Such catastrophes are all too frequent occurences here with busloads of people regularly going over the edges of ravines in what the papers describe as "mishaps". This is a reflection of unserviceable vehicles, idiot drivers and the consumption of alcohol.
Nothing has been heard as yet from the rescue team in India. But our local staff are now holding two circus people in Hetauda, looking after them well until the safe return of our colleagues with all of the girls presently at the Amar Circus. Those two brought back nine girls to Nepal before they were apprehended so we at least already have some degree of success from this mission. It is still a tense time for all of us though as we are constantly in uncharted waters with this kind of operation.
