Bhupi Sherchan, one of Nepalýs most gifted poets, perhaps, could not be more exact when he wrote ýYo hallai halla ko deshý (This country is a land of rumours). The poem was a reflection of the poetýs deep understanding of Nepali society where nothing spreads like a rumour.

There have been times when vicious rumours have reigned supreme, causing enough chaos, confusion and panic in Nepali society. The riots and subsequent curfew in Kathmandu resulting from the fabricated ýtrue storyý behind the tragic Royal Palace Massacre in 2001 are still afresh in our memories. All that is now just water under the bridge.

Similarly, a few years back, rumours about Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan expressing anti-Nepal sentiments in an interview given to a television channel had triggered violent protests against India, people of Indian origin and Nepali theaters running movies featuring the said actor, which in turn provoked a police firing in which five people were killed.

A fresh rumour, about another mishap at the Royal Palace- in which Crown Princess Himani and some other members of the Royal Family were injured- gripped the entire capital city and was percolating to the rest of the country.

People were making phone calls to those who they thought could verify the ýnewsý. Through e-mails and internet chat sites, the fabricated story, which was nothing but a rumor-mongerýs notoriety intended at spreading panic in society, spread like a wildfire without any known authority for its truth.

On Saturday evening (September 4) when the local television channels telecasted news coverage of Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani paying visit to the Hanumandhoka Durbar Sqare Complex, many said that the royal couple had to come in public through a courtesy visit to dispel the reigning rumours. But there were still those who said the video footage was an old one, shot during a different occasion sometime in the past! This piece is a sincere attempt, written with a hope to remove all the doubts from the hearts of these gullible people and tell them that our crown prince and crown princess are safe and in good health.

But the moot question is why are we always swayed away by such rumours, and do not think twice before telling about it to somebody else? Why are we easily deceived? A political analyst says, ýWe donýt look for a reason to believe or not to believe a rumour. We enjoy rumours and one about the Palace or the Royal Family spreads faster than the wildest wildfire.ý

Experience has shown that each and every crisis that the country has gone through has been followed by completely unfounded and false gossips. Certain elements are always on the lookout for an opportunity where they can fish in troubled waters. They always try to destabilize the society by inciting more hostility and violence. They tried to do the same, though failingly, this time around too. But when will we Nepalese learn? nepalnews.com Akhil Tripathi Sept 05 04