Nepal, April 26 -- Barpak, in the northern part of Gorkha, was a once quaint little place. The roofs of the 1200 odd houses were built from the same stones that were used to construct pavements across the village. The houses matched the traditional stone taps that dotted the landscape. It was the largest integrated settlement in Nepal, complete with access to good roads and electricity. In the year 2000, it was even given the status of a model village by the government.

Because the houses were similar in structure, there was no discrimination and disparity among the rich and the poor. The villagers lived in peace and harmony. The Gurungs and Ghales lived in their own world while the Dalits lived in the low-lying areas of the village. The...