Nepal, Dec. 26 -- By the early 1970s, St Xavier's School (StX) had a reputation for being the best school in the country for boys. American Jesuits originally founded StX as an English-medium school in 1951. It had expanded to two wings by 1971: a junior school with boarding facilities in Godavari and another wing in Jawalakhel, for day scholars in the junior school and boarders in the high school.

After being admitted to StX Jawalakhel's Standard II in January 1972, I spent the winter vacation anticipating the first day of school on February 1. However, on the early morning of January 31, King Mahendra (1920-1972) passed away. School remained closed for days as part of the national mourning.

My new friends

When school reopened, except...