For a venue some 30 kms from Bangalore, the Asia Source camp sometimes seems remarkably cut-off from "civilisation". But that's the story of rural India (and much of the rest of the rural 'developing' world). So, when the news trickled in at the breakfast circle, it was met with unawareness, and then shock and dismay.

Our friends from Nepal were worried, obviously, about what happened at home. No news was getting out -- and even the Internet link can be very, very slow at times here.

Reviewing the situation was based on reports in the Indian media, with the left-of-centre widely-respected newspaper from Chennai (Madras), The Hindu, giving detailed coverage on the top half of the front-page and its editorial page.

At morning circle, participants got updated on the Nepali King's seizure of power, the army getting out on the streets, and flights being suspended. Democracy, just 12 years old in Nepal, was being sent packing. "We're not in some medievial period for this to be happening," as one outraged participant said.

Indian participants whose friends and colleges were marooned in Nepal were as concerned, while those who have to catch their fights back to the mountainous kingdom after Feb 4 were also concerned. There were offers for help and hospitality from Delhi and Bangalore.

But this, obviously, is not just an issue of personal inconveniences...