Many Nepalis have grown weary and cynical over the slow progress in their country's peace process.
Six months after popular protests forced King Gyanendra to hand power back to democratic politicians the government still has nothing to show for its sole major policy: negotiating peace with the powerful Maoist rebels.
It does not help that the politicians have consistently raised expectations they have failed to meet.
Krishna Sitaula, the chief government negotiator, said a top-level meeting with the Maoists today 'will make some breakthroughs'. But it is the fourth meeting in a week, and more than once the leaders have said a breakthrough is at hand. Meanwhile the Maoist leader Prachanda - meaning 'the fierce one' - has mocked the government's indecisiveness.
After one of of the recent meetings, he used a newspaper column to give them some patronising advice. 'Take these issues home, sleep on them, wake up in the morning and ask India what to do,' he told ministers. 'Don't forget to ask America. Also ask Britain, and the EU. Even ask the palace, because you cannot decide by yourself.'
Hopes were initially raised when the Maoists and the democrats teamed up to overthrow the unpopular royal regime.
