Friday, May 30, 2008

King to Commoner

Nepal is now a Republic after more than 2 centuries of monarchy. I honestly don’t understand the politics of it or the economic consequences of this change. What I’m more curious about is how the king is going to make the transition into being just another citizen of Nepal. Of course it isn’t going to help his cause that he isn’t one of the most popular people there right now!

In all the discussion and speculation about what the political scenario is going to be, who the president is going to be, which party will provide the prime minister etc, one forgets to wonder what will happen to the royal family, suddenly stripped of all their, oh well, powers (especially when a lot of those powers are ones that you’ve bestowed upon yourself!). It has to be difficult thinking of yourself as a common citizen when you’ve grown up ruling a country.

I’m sure the king sensed the political unrest in his country. But who expects to be thrown out in a day…I mean he probably expected to be shot or blown up or poisoned or something to that effect. And given his situation right now, it has to be pretty depressing (he probably should be on suicide watch!)

I mean just imagine being monarch of a country one day, and the next day standing in line waiting to buy bread and eggs at the corner around the shop?
One day travelling in a bullet proof car with outriders and security personnel, and the next day trying to flag a cab (and failing).
One day living in a huge palace and the next day, well, looking for a place to live in!

One day King. The next day Commoner.

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