The Nepalis celebrated a comparatively peaceful Dashain after a long time. While an insignificant minority of government officials, politicians of ruling political parties and a small business community might have reveled in their luxury in the festive season, the overwhelming poor masses faced acute problems and unbearable miseries at their inability to meet even the most simple needs of their small children. That Dashain was peaceful was indeed gratifying. How long the peace will last and whether the country will ever return to its former peaceful days is question no one can answer convincingly. The Seven Party Alliance and the Maoists have already held two summit meetings in four days and are scheduled to meet again seeking solutions to all the serious problems the country is facing – peace being the top most. Since all knowledgeable Nepalis know fully well that the strings of success are in the hands of invisible puppeteers, a feeling of skepticism keeps on wrangling their hearts. The way this tragedy engulfed the poor country being fanned by interested extraneous elements leaves little room for hope that happy days are round the corner. Even more painful has been the callous disinterest exhibited by the powers that be at the blatant double standard of our giant friendly neighbor in the South, despite their avowed commitment to fight global terrorism. Such a behavior has affirmed our belief that the interests of bigger and powerful nations outweigh all other considerations of justice and propriety. More so, if the victim is small and weak. As such, it becomes the bounden duty of all patriotic forces to come forward and shoulder the responsibility of saving our nation from destruction. While we are struggling for our survival, events away from home have overshadowed our misfortunes. The failure of India supported Shashi Tharoor to grab the nomination to the prestigious job of the Secretary General of the United Nations Security Council has greatly disappointed the billion odd people of South Asia. Shashi Tharoor would have been a proud acquisition to the U.N as he was more than qualified for the job. But the chinks in India 's armor deprived South Asia of the golden opportunity of leading the world. When that possibility will again come South Asia 's way, if it ever does, no body can predict. India is very big in size and number but does not seem so in substance, as proved by Shashi Tharoor's debacle. She shall have to work real hard to refurbish her image if she  wants to achieve her soaring ambitions. India does generate doubts and misgivings amongst her smaller neighbors. Unless she sincerely works to win their goodwill and respect, international leadership will keep on mocking her like a mirage.

While the nomination to the UNSC had rocked the South Asian boat the nuclear blast by North Korea has rocked the world boat. Some political analysts have opined it as the total failure of U.S. foreign policy under President George W. Bush. President Bush has no qualms to assert that he has made the United States a safer place especially after his Iraq war, while the reality is just the reverse. Turning North Korea into a nuclear power, Bush has generated serious threats to all Americans wherever they are. The daily loss of hundreds of innocent human lives in Iraq is sure to provoke Muslim radicalism, impelling the Islamic extremists to more horrendous terrorism targeted against the Americans and their allies. This trend must be stopped if the world is to become a safer place. George Bush or his successor has to find the solution. Bullying smaller countries by bigger and powerful nations can never yield positive results. This lesson must be learnt by all concerned.