M A I N   N E W S

Mourners publish obituaries
Tripti Nath
Tribune News Service

Kathmandu, June 9
Felicitation and condolence messages are appearing in English dailies and vernacular papers here. The Nepali language paper, Kantipur, which has been in the news, has published a supplement carrying full-page obituaries with photographs of King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the Royal family who died in last week’s Narayanhiti Palace bloodbath. Among those who have bought space to pay rich tributes to the King and other members of the royal family are businessmen, factory owners, educational institutions, travel agencies, colour labs, restaurants, service committees and hospitals.

Condolence books

Officials in the office of the Master of Ceremonies are taking a keen interest in overseeing arrangements at the southern gate of Narayanhiti Palace on Durbar Marg to enable mourners pay homage to King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya and other members of the royal family who died in the tragic events last Friday. To avoid overcrowding, palace sources have arranged eight condolence books on separate tables in a room near the palace gate. One may wonder what happens to the thousands of signatures recorded on the condolence books between forenoon and 5 pm. They will be preserved. The condolence books would be sent to King Birendra Museum in Hanuman Dhoka ancestral palace. The last day for signing the condolence books is Sunday.

Tonsured heads

Men with tonsured heads here assert that their gesture is voluntary and has little to do with the Nepal TV or Radio Nepal message asking bureaucrats to have their heads shaved. The popularity the late King enjoyed can be gauged by the huge number of men with tonsured heads. It is customary in Nepal to have the head shaved following the death of parents or close relatives. That the masses feel orphaned after the demise of the King and Queen is indeed an ultimate tribute to the royal couple.

Floral tributes

Holding parasols, young girls and women have been turning up in large numbers in front of the southern gate of the palace to pay their last respects to their late King and Queen. They wait patiently for their turn to place a bouquet atop the mountain of bouquets in front of the portrait of the King and the Queen. While some mourners stamp chart papers carrying obituary messages on the walls of the palace, others offer a khata (silk cloth) in front of the portraits. Remains of countless incense sticks and oil lamps can be seen on the floor inside the gate. The portraits of the late King and Queen are almost omnipresent in Kathmandu. They are placed on tables arranged in the hotel lobby. Mourners have also paid last respects to their King and Queen in front of King Mahendra’s statue on Durbar Marg.