When I heard the news that former king Gyanendra was organizing a press conference, at first I didn't believe it. Then some of my reporter friends confirmed it and passed on a number where I could register my name for the press meet. I called up the guy and gave my name.
The press meet was said to be at five in the evening and we were told to be at the gate of Narayanhiti Palace around 4.45. I reached on time but was surprised at the huge crowd gathered there.
There was no queue as such; people had thronged from all direction possible. The gate, however, was closed. Journalists, holding their press cards were requesting the gate keepers to let them in. International journalists were also there. In that crowd, I was probably one woman trying to get in, protecting my camera and flaunting my press card. It was hard to breathe; i was sandwiched between the people. Normally, my dry skin does not perspire but it did there.
After the pushing game continued for a while, the gate opened. I was entering the Palace for the first time. As a child, i always had a dream to enter the gates and put tika from late king Birendra on Dashain. That did not happen. He and his entire family were killed in a royal massacre seven years ago, after which, Gyanendra Shah had become the new king.
I entered in but stopped for a moment to take a picture of the palace. As I was fixing my lens, i felt sorry for Gyanendra Shah, who was vacating this palace. I felt sorry for the fact that his forefathers who had united the nation into the Kingdom of Nepal was going to be re-written in the history, with his name as the last king of Nepal. In the meantime, I also recalled the over-ambitious role this king had played when he imposed a state of emergency, which dug the pave for ending monarchy.
The highly disorgonized crowd inside the palace hall pulled me back from my thoughts. I wondered why the palace officials had been lazy in properly managing the press conference, that was going to be attended by national as well as international journalists.
Again pushing people, I went closer to the place where the king would be sitting. Oh, it was too far from where i was and it seemed impossible for me to get to that point. So, I rather stood behind. But because I am a shorty, I couldn't see anything from there. For the first time, I breached discipline and stood on a chair, so that I could take pictures of the king, who had now become 'former'.
He came in with a smile. He was, as always, dressed in Daura Suruwal and a dhaka ko topi, Nepal's national dress. I wondered how he managed to wear a smile. Had i been in his position, where i would be ripped off all my properties, belongings, and history, I wouldn't be able to handle myself. I praised his tolerance and acceptance.
He started reading a speech. Though it was called a 'press conference', we were told he wouldn't take questions. And he didn't either.
He talked about all the allegations people made about misappropriating palace property. He refuted it. He said he had preserved all the property, inherited from his forefathers.
It was a touching moment when he talked about the royal massacre. He said he had to become king when his brother's entire family had been killed. There was no time for him to mourn their deaths, and on top of that public had doubted his family to be behind the killing.
He also said that his wife, Komal was still undergoing treatment for the bullet that went in her, at that time. I saw some of the reporters eyes wet. This was actually an unexpected day in Nepal's history. Nobody had really thought that the 240-year old monarchy would be ended that easily. The other day, Home Minister in his informal talk had told me and some reporters that it was Nepal's success to abolish monarchy peacefully. He had termed it 'a bloodless revolution'.
Towards the end of the speech, former king Gyanendra Shah said he would not leave the country. He said, "I want to contribute in the peace process in my mother land." It was a good message, indeed. Before ending the speech, he thanked all those who helped him in his seven years' of kingship and apologized to all those, who he said, were unknowingly hurt by him or his family.
He left with a smile, like always, saying "Shri Pashupati Nath Lay Sabaiko Rakshya Garun"
The former royal couple, after the press meet, moved to Nagarjuna Palace, where they will be staying until they manage their own residence. After Nepal was declared Republican on May 28, all the royal palaces in Nepal have been nationalized by the government. This decision of the government to let the couple stay there for some time has been criticized by various sectors. But, i believe the government did a right thing as it has to assure its "citizens' safety".
Uncivilized Reporters
After the former king left the hall, there were unacceptable behaviors shown by Nepali 'so called' journos. The chair, where Gyanendra Shah sat to deliver his speech was now being used as a chair to pose for photographs. Those 'reporters' were busy taking pictures and their expressions were saying--look, nowe we've taken his seat.
They showed ill-respect to other items like historic posters and photographs hung on the wall. I also heard there were attempts to steal and break the furntiures and other commodities. What a pity. Reporters, they call themselves!
This is the palace where king Birendra lived for 28 years until June 1, 1001 when he was killed, along with his family members in a Royal Masaccre.
The Royal Red Carpet
Two photographers fancy the ribbon, which when cut gave entry to the public to see the palace. 
A Maoist CA member Vikshu Ananda does not miss an opportunity to be photographed on the red carpet.
Pick the odd one out--Er, Minister Kirati? What's the harm in wearing Daura Suruwal, people?
Who's smarter, appearance wise?
Everybody wants a pic, although it's against the rules to take cameras inside.
Ribbon photography again.
Prachanda claims the move to open the palace for public is a right step toward making a New Nepal.
