Year-ending Tales

While so-called US “exit strategy” from Iraq dominates the international geopolitical scene, there were reports that Iran (not Iraq) has been grooming a successor to bin Laden. And, interestingly, according to survey made in Great Britain, Israel, Canada & Mexico, the US President George Bush is considered the second-most dangerous man on the earth, second only to bin Laden. And, again, depending on which side of the line one belongs to, the news of death sentence to the former Iraqi President Sadam Hussein has evoked different kinds of reaction. But the report that the UK is under nuclear threat from Pakistan-based homegrown terrorists caused serious concern to all.

Then, there were two contrasting developments. A historic agreement has been signed (November 21, 2006) between the erstwhile Maoist rebels and the Nepal government with an understanding having been reached earlier over dumping of arms under UN supervision. In SriLanka, the peace talks have, however, been buried for the present, with the LTTE chief declaring that “we are back to war”. Eminent Muslim women met at Barcelona and gave a clarion call for “Islamic feminism” demanding equal footing for women in the Islamic world. One would like to see this materialise.

Readers may also like to know the ‘Secret of Success’, as propounded by no less an authority than Socrates and have a look at the “Precious Gift”. And, now there are definite scientific methods to make sure one does not buy a stolen cell-phone. Readers are also requested to help “Police Reforms”, as recommended by the Supreme Court of India, take shape. That will lead to better policing and hence to better governance. The days of drunken driving may be over with gadgets installed stalling the engine if it smells alcohol. There are many more like, “One God, Different Names”, “Economic Principles of Abraham Lincoln”. And, would you not like to know “How To Stay Young”? All these in the General File.

D. C. Nath, IPS (Retd.)
Former Special Director, IB (MHA), Govt. of India,
Executive President & CEO,
International Institute of Security and Safety Management,
New Delhi, India.