So the trails up Mt. Everest will finally open on Sunday. Brushing aside criticism of politicising the longest torch relay in Olympic history by carrying the flame up the Tibetan side, the expedition members could hardly contain their unbridled joy on reaching the top: “Beijing welcomes you!” An icy invitation, indeed.

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Wondering what UNMIN is upto these days? Yes, Ian Martin’s jumbo team may be heard on UNMIN Ko Boli and read on UNMIN-patra. What else? Log on to UNMIN website to get a hang of how hard these folks are working — updating the election news.

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With the country on the verge of “implementing” a republic, there are debates about what to do with the Narayanhiti Royal Palace. Some are thinking of turning it into a museum, while others think a party palace would work better. I suggest giving the management to a US agency: NASA. That way everyone is sure to have space.

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NSP (A) president Anandidevi Singh has gone AWOL for a week. Nobody has the slightest clue where the widow of former NSP strongman Gajendra Narayan Singh might be holed (held) up. Topping the list of suspects: NSP (A) General Secretary Shyam Sunder Gupta, also the minister for Industries, Commerce and Supplies — not in humans, Gupta swears by Patna. Things are bound to get interesting though if Singh were to pop up out of the blue now that the EC has thrown its weight behind Khushi and Co.

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The issue of mergers and acquisitions has haunted the Nepali Congress for a long time. Leaders, who have privately tried to limit the impact, should have learnt from the FPTP debacle. Even until last week they were haggling over a 60-40 formula to distribute the PR seats. In hindsight, it would have been better if the NC had had a merger with the Chaudhary Group, and the Sungold Brewery. That way Nepali Congress would have experienced a-range-of-boom.

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Girijababu appears to have finally accepted his fate—he will no longer be the executive head of the state. Sources said that he is still eager to have a ceremonial role. Even the Maoists are prepared to give him some sort of a guardian role, although they have not been able to agree on the right “term”. When it comes to the President, the Maoists just see red.

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Having lost election from Nuwakot 1, Arjun Dai knows for sure that NC won’t give him a second chance. He also knows some in the party are more equal than others. Never one to take a back seat, he cunningly planted a question on media persons on Wednesday. In reply, Arjun Da let fly a hard Left hook: No. The party must not nominate any loser to the CA. Sujata Di, take that.