"It is the best of times; it is the worst of times" - many of us have read this classical statement in schools and colleges. One feels tempted to describe some current developments in the same vein. While pre-poll violence in Iraq and the unprecedented law and order situation in Nepal following what has been turned by some as "royal coup", are rather disheartening, students of history will revel at the signing of the peace accord in Sudan, prospect of peace between Israel and Palestine as also at the "peace bus" scheduled to run between India and Pakistan. The cliché "keep your fingers crossed" could not perhaps be more applicable than in the present scenario.
IISSM will feel privileged to know how security and safety practitioners view the situation for their professional activity.
D. C. Nath, IPS (Retd.)
Former Special Director, IB (MHA), Govt. of India
Editor-cum-Executive President & CEO
International Institute of Security and Safety Management
New Delhi, India
