NOSTALGIA is what we usually feel at the end of a year. But even that natural emotion of a longing for the past -- unfortunately and exceptionally -- is in for dilution insofar as the year 2002 went. What nine/eleven had done a year before by way of drastically changing the threat perception about networked terrorism clearly called for a patient, internationally perceived and adopted series of measures to combat it on a durable basis.

The very act terrorism spelled out the terms of reference for counteraction which conceptually could be broken into two parts: first, tracking down the group of ultraextremists responsible for the attack on US mainland; and secondly, dismantling their networks wherever these might be found. The separation of those terrorists from their countries of origin, countries they took refuge in and their religious faith was an imperative necessity for the counter-action to be focussed and, consequently, effective. They being terrorists first and last, there need not have been a-needle-in-the-haystack search for them especially when: (a) their dastardly inhuman act had alienated themselves from their co-religionists; (b) with such vulnerability, sooner or later, the actual culprits as distinguished from the innocents would have been caught; and (c) potential universal cooperation was just there to be had and used to apprehend them.

But in spite of all these advantages, Bush took it all into his hands to fight terrorism as a predominantly US war scowling at the UN now and at the NATO then. His unidirectional ruthlessness gave rise to all sorts of sinister speculations, some of which were even dubbed by his detractors as being a confirmation of the US agenda for Pax Americana. A litany of charges got reeled off against her: the US was pegging its hat on to terrorism for a broad spectrum domination of the world as the global policeman, the primary motive being protection of oil and broader geopolitical interests.

George Bush was instrumental in whipping up US chauvinism before he embarked upon the Afghan war. But this jingoistic policy of his got focused soon on Iraq; and even on North Korea which is being threatened now with military action for its nuclear programme, a perceived brand of terrorism which has nothing in common with what had happened on nine/eleven.

The US is so possessed with the thought of fighting terrorism its way that it has kept out of the international criminal court covenant just in case any question is asked about its military conduct abroad.

The central issue is the free-hand given by the US to Israel to deal with the Palestinians in the most barbaric fashion. The US knows more than any other country that if the Middle East question is solved on the basis of justice and fair play to the Palestinians there won't be any propensity to extremism in dealing with Tel Aviv's brand of state terrorism.

The Kyoto protocol for environmental protection remains a non-starter. The US leads the way to resisting self-binding limits on CFC emissions on the part of developed world.

Then, we ask: how realistic is the resolution adopted at the 50th anniversary of the UN to reduce the number of absolute poor in the world by half in a decade's time? The developed countries' commitments to ODA keeping more or less at previous levels, that sounds like a cruel joke.

In summation, the year 2002 has been internationally very disappointing; it set a patently negative trend for any minimally just and fair world order.

The national despondency in the year has been as great, if not more, for the simple reason that with the change of government, hardly anything changed for the better. The national parliament has see-sawed between a comatose to semi-comatose state. On the whole, it remains dysfunctional basically going through the motions without the standing committees in place and frequent lack of quorum, thanks to increasing disinterest on the part of treasury and opposition benches. One more disappointment that also gave a body-blow to the constitutional system is the treatment the ruling party meted out to the former president of the Republic.

Most of the national focus was on law and order. With the Army called out in aid of civil authority to deal with crimes as a contingency, most people had heaved a sigh of relief. But the custodial deaths have tainted the Operation Clean Heart.

Finally, the year ended with oppression on journalists and writers.

We look forward to a determined commitment from the government to effect a behavioural change to provide space to the opposition and dissenting views. Much the same way the opposition should abjure its policy of 'toppling the government' and abide by legal and constitutional methods in playing its role.

Our hopes for the new year are: let there be a radical improvement in terms of a democratic culture and greater delivery of economic benefits to the people.

A happy New Year to our readers.