Neighbours and Borders

Democracy in the Himalayas Anirudha Gupta The state of the ruling Nepali Congress, the absence of a democratic alternative to it, the course of relations between parliament and the palace, the position of the army and, above all, the extreme disparities in Nepalese society are ail cause for unease about the progress of democracy in Nepal THE advent of democracy has let in a ray of hope and gaiety in Nepal's political life. One senses this while mixing with the crowds which gather round TV or radio to hear the.budget; or in street-corner cafes Tilled with smoke and heated debate.