The year 2008 witnessed many major events in the history of the world. A switchover from prevailing systems, that people considered impossible to change, changed in front of their very eyes. While the oldest democracy witnessed an unprecedented move towards ‘change’, the largest democracy suffered many blows when the terrorists and fundamentalists bared their teeth. We have to be proud of, and highly appreciate our security forces for devotedly dealing with the worst ever terrorist attack in Mumbai. Furthermore, the bold steps and strong words hurled on our neighbour for their nonperformance to curb the terrorism are to be highly praised. Moreover, the common man, seemed to be insensitive to the occurrences, raised their voice against the attack on innocent lives. The media did an excellent job in reporting the events on time and expressed the spirit of concern on security of the nation and its people.

Life has the same value irrespective of caste, creed and nationality. Our heroes who gave their lives while protecting our nation from the terrorists in Mumbai and the innocent lives who were killed in attacks on the Christian minority community in Orissa were both citizens of this State. While the terrorist attacks were looked at with concern and compassion by the international community, the attack on the minority community in Orissa gave the whole nation a black eye. Though the hue and cry drew the attention of the international community towards the massacre in Orissa, it took a few months for the government to act on it. I wish the government could have taken bold steps to protect life and property of people there. When innocent people were burned alive, church buildings and houses were torn down and people fled for their lives to forests leaving everything behind in Orissa, no alarm was raised from the authorities. They were finding and giving the reasons for the attack.

The result of the elections held in various states illustrated the gut feeling of the majority. Especially, the ‘mini India’ – Delhi demonstrated the true spirit of the nation. The overwhelming victory of the democracy over communalism evidently shows the disinclination of the majority towards destructive religion based politics.

Now, 2009 is here. Let us hope that the eyes of the ‘caretakers of the religion’ be opened to know the fact that man is not made for religion but religion is made for man. Religion is one of the important factors in his life. He will throw it away if it becomes destructive than constructive in his life. Man needs God for sure, not religion.

- Editor