Jai Nepal!

Yesterday was a big day in Kathmandu and all of Nepal. The Constituent Assembly voted, as expected, to abolish the monarchy and Nepal was declared a federal republic. We had a national holiday, in fact, the first National Republic Day. It was a peaceful day and the people were out in a festival atmosphere. I toured Durbar Square and enjoyed the beautiful weather. It is expected to take up to two more years to write the new Consitution. The assembly also decided to establish a ceremonial Presidency but still have to decide the functions of that office.

While many in the country are still on holiday today and the banks and certain businesses were closed, my office, READ Nepal, is open. READ is an oasis amidst the sometimes chaotic noise, traffic and political transition of Kathmandu. More on my little oasis later.