Some regard it as the cutting edge in the organisation of human society. Others discard it as a sect. In a few countries it is considered a threat: its followers - mercilessly persecuted and discriminated against.

The kids of the "Bright Future Higher Secondary School" in Patan are staring at the colorful pictures, slightly impressed. They are pointing with fingers, asking questions, giggling. This is probably the first time most of them have seen a condom.

While attending the international art festival "Separating myth from reality-Status of Women"- which was showcased few months back at several venues across the capital- and looking at the paintings, photographs, prints and installations on display, I was fascinated by the women and woman-centric themes that dominated the works of the participating artists from various countries.

Perhaps, it will not be outright preposterous to say that Nepal’s politics is in its direction of extreme polarisation.Â

Girija Prasad Koirala, the Grand Old Man of Nepali politics is sick again. Not sick as in sick of steering the Nepali politics as per his vision (or the lack of it), like he has always been doing. But sick as in suffering from poor health condition, like many other 86-year-old's are prone to.

The Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal-led coalition government is not only grappling with the threat the nation-wide agitation waged by the UCPN (Maoist) pose to its longevity, but now it seems to be in a direct collision course with none other than the United Nations (UN), and particularly, the world body's mission in Nepal - UNMIN - whose mandate is to monitor the now increasingly difficult peace process after supporting Nepal carry out the Constituent Assembly elections.

Rallies, colourful posters, announcement through loudspeakers are some of the usual scenes during election time in developing countries. Here in Nepal, the style applies not only for political parties but for student bodies, trade unions and even associations of the schools and colleges.

An era of Nepal’s democratic constitutionalism ended Wednesday morning when the country bade farewell to a former justice of the Supreme Court for ever amid a heart-moving ritual ceremony in Aryaghat. Leaders of various political parties, justices, lawyers and journalists attended his last rites at Aryaghat or paid tribute to his dead body at the TU Teaching Hospital.