The second summit between the CPN (Maoists) and the Seven Party Alliance is to be held in a couple of days. But the atmosphere of mistrusts and misgivings between the two is queering the pitch all the time. There seems to be serious differences even amongst the Seven Party constituents. It is, therefore, clearly evident that the invisible undercurrent is, as usual, playing the spoilsport. As long either of the two negotiating parties, or for that matter, the whole patriotic people of Nepal , keep on falling easy victim to the intrigues of the enemies of the nation, a total unity of thought and action amongst all the Nepalis is not possible. As such, the one and only imperative before all the nationalist forces, at this critical time of nation’s history, is to candidly acknowledge the impending peril, sink all personal and partisan differences and join hands to overcome the juggernautic problem facing the poor country. Since selfish politicians don’t bat their eyelids to sideline or compromise the nation’s interests in order to further their own, it becomes the onerous responsibility of the intellectual community of the poorer countries to educate and lead the ignorant masses of their country to be fully prepared to face any contingency to defend their national interest. Although small, Nepal does occupy quite an important strategic situation in the context of not only regional but global politics too. Unfortunately, she has so far, totally failed to use such a natural boon to her advantage due to lack of honest leadership. The anti-nationalist character of the rulers has always stood as a stumbling block in the path of her economic progress and development. As a result of the recent peoples’ revolution, the nation is at the crossroads. Any false step, at such a critical time, can spell disaster for the country. Consequently, it is the bounden duty of all patriotic countrymen to rise above personal or partisan interests and collectively work for the good of the country. The poor country is groping for an honest and dedicated leadership. Our leadership has not been able to withstand pressures and temptations and done immeasurable harm to the nation. They have fallen easy prey to the machinations of anti-national forces. As such, we do trust the leaders who are meeting shortly to decide the future course of action for the nation will only concentrate on pressing national issues and come up to the expectation of the people and agree to expand the path of peace and progress.

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The recent bomb blasts in Mumbai , India , have jolted the Indians to make them broadly awake to the disastrous consequences of terrorism. Even though, it is not the first time that terrorism has struck India, but the series of blasts that happened in a matter of few minutes have not only perpetrated loss of innocent human lives but also sounded grave warnings that there are too many lacunas that the opponents of peace can exploit. Nepal , as a good and sincere friend of India , is deeply hurt at the tragic loss of lives due to the blasts. Since she has been a victim of terrorism herself for ten long years, she can realize what are the pangs of such devastations. Those who perpetrate such inhumanities must understand that this is the worst manner of putting pressures and can neither win friends nor achieve their objective. Instead, they only create insurmountable bottlenecks in the achievement of their own high ambitions. Because, in this age of global interdependence, one does need the help and cooperation of even insignificant friends and neighbors, howsoever big and powerful one might be.