Changes in history and weather often seem analogous. The change of seasons serves on many occasions as the ideal backdrop for the march of history.

The monsoon of 2006 coincided with a sudden transformation in a retired bureaucrat's career. As the Country Director of a US-based international nongovernmental organisation, Bhojraj Pokharel was striving to reduce stigma and discrimination against people afflicted by HIV and AIDS, and related groups like sex workers, intravenous drug users and homosexuals. Pokharel had no inkling of what was in store for him.

One afternoon while he was reviewing a project proposal, he received a call from Gokarna Poudel, Koirala's private secretary, requesting him to meet the prime minister. Pokharel had established a personal rapport with Koirala when he served in his government in 1992, as Home Secretary and they grew fond of each other.

The day after the phone call, Pokharel went to see Prime Minister Koirala. At around eight in the morning Pokharel passed through the silver gates of the Baluwatar fortress—the prime minister's residence. Inside the power-house there were many senior Nepali Congress members milling around, competing to prove their allegience to Koirala. Pokharel folded his hands in Namaste to greet these leaders and headed upstairs. He found Koirala seated in a high chair, especially made to suit his height.