Departure from the norm

When Prime Minister Balendra Shah departed from Kathmandu on Tuesday on a scheduled Qatar Airways flight, there was no guard of honour, no diplomats and officials lining up to say bye, no imported gladioli to be handed to the bodyguard, no motorcade with flashing lights bringing him to the ramp below the plane.

He stepped out of his limo onto the tarmac in his signature all-black attire, shades and Goldstar shoes. Shook hands with Home Minister Sudan Gurung. And that was it.

This low-key departure was universally lauded, even from those usually critical of the RSP ministers pulling off populist stunts.

This was a deliberate departure from the grandiose pomp and ceremony displayed by his predecessors before and after foreign visits. Even the PM’s entourage was minimalist: Chief Adviser Kumar Byanjankar (Ben), his personal secretary, security detail, and a photographer. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal had left for New York with his own small team a few days prior.