The existing bilateral ties between Myanmar and India can grow much deeper provided they are calibrated in a manner that is beneficial to both countries. Energy and infrastructure could be the bedrock for such a strong relationship.
Chandrayan-1 has created history. It has proved instrumental towards finding water on the surface of the moon. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has proved its competence once again, but this time, it should also thank its stars, and this is not because there is something amiss with its capabilities but because of the lack of maturity shown by some segments of society earlier when Chandrayan-1 had permanently lost its contact with the earth.
Indians are, by nature, emotive. Unfortunately, they believe in overreacting. So, be it 26/11, Swine flu, or a draught-like situation: mostly, they react excessively. They cannot even take a loss by a cricket team sportingly, so naturally, they are bound to start the blame game when drought is at the doorstep. What better punching bag could be than the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)? Few intellectuals are even asking for its closure.
This year, there are two days for the World Water Day celebration! On March 20, the UN observed it as the water day for unknown reasons but could be drawn out of the long weekend. In 1992, the UN General Assembly designated March 22 as ‘World Water Day’ to draw international attention to the critical need for safe drinking water worldwide.
For the Indian climate crusaders, 2007 has become more important for three reasons. First, the entry of climate change as an agenda item to the United Nations Security Council on April 18. Now, the Nobel Peace Prize to the scientific community - Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former US Vice-President Al Gore for making people aware of climate change. It’s argued that the issue would become everybody’s business to know, manage and resolve after the prestigious award.