As I knew Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah!

Among those who lost their precious lives in the June 1 massacre at the Narayan Hiti Royal Palace that fateful evening, one was a very close friend of this newspaper. We usually met each other at the Kathmandu seminars. Most of the seminars he attended, I could see him either chairing one of the sessions or at best offering his scholarly comments on the topic of the paper and that of the seminar as well.

In the process, we developed a sort of friendship with each other. You could give any name to our personal attachment(s) to each other. However, the fact is that he respected me only because I was the chief editor of the Telegraph Weekly. He used to say whenever we met at the receptions or at the seminars, Mr.Upadhyaya! continue with academic articles in your second page and never miss to bring out the impressions of the Nepali scholars regarding the state of the nation through the extensive use of your last page-5 Questions.

He was Kumar Khadga Bikram Shah-the husband of late King Birendra's sister. He was popular among the scholars as KUMAR SAHEB.

In effect, the 5 Questions column has become really popular in Nepal and abroad. I am told that the Internet watchers residing abroad first prefer to click the 5 questions column and get themselves assured of the personality interviewed. The fact is also that it is only my newspaper in the entire Kingdom, which has remained in close contacts with the Nepali scholars on a regular basis.

My newspaper's declared avowal is not to interview leaders and politicians. Normally what they do is when you interview them, they instantly hand over one "envelope" and prefer to corrupt you. I call it "envelope journalism". However, not all politicians wish to corrupt. It all depends upon you whether to be corrupt or come out unscathed. Here again, not so many people can resist the temptation of the "envelope".

Contrary to this system, the scholars though lack money but yet possess extensive-intensive knowledge. My personal impression is that Nepali scholars could match and compete any other scholars' abroad on any topic under the sun. By this time, most of the TU teachers have talked to our readers through the column of 5 questions.

Last time when I met Kumar Saheb, he expressed his extreme displeasure with my weekly and me as well. The reason was that I did not invite him at my last year's seminar on media and governance. Till the last date of the seminar, Kumar Saheb said, he was expecting at least a phone call from me inviting him to attend the seminar.

Listening to his passion to attend seminars of such sorts and the manner he felt cheated by my cold behavior, I could not defend myself. However, I assured him that the next seminar would see his presence.

"Why don’t you step in my house some day and discuss the national matters", politely told Kumar Saheb. I said why not.

However, now my chances to see him at his house in Kamladi and listen to his scholarly remarks on the national issues all have been practically capped once and for all.

Rest Ye Kind soul in eternal peace. I will cherish your memory for long time to come.

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