THE assertion
of Ms. Ruchira
Kamboj ,
India ’ s Ambassador to the United Nations,
that India has a potential to be an international mediator, comes as a
reflection of what the
world feels on the issue.
Thanks to its enhanced
status in the international arena, the world
looks to India as a powerful mediator with an
ability to speak the truth
in the best possible and
balanced manner. This
belief was strengthened
when Prime Minister Mr.
Narendra Modi told
Russian leader Mr.
Vladimir Putin that the
time was not of war but
was of peace. That statement had the backing of
India’s ever-strengthening economy, very good
military capabilities, and
a well-oiled diplomatic
t h o u g h t - a n d - a c t i o n
combination. The world
also believes in all these
positive attributes of
India. Ms. Ruchira
Kamboj is fully aware of
the role India is capable
of playing in the international arena. Hence
her assertion. However,
as has come to the world’s
notice in recent times,
India chooses its own
ways and means to take
a step forward in diplomacy -- with a keen eye
on national interest as
the topmost consideration. This also denotes a
heightened confidence
of India in its own capability and role -- which
India showed in the current Palestine issue.
SECOND RUNG
T
H E second
rung of India’s
cricket players
is proving its
worth in the
T-20 matches against the
visiting Australian team.
These young players have
won two matches in a row
to show their grit and
their resolve to establish
the country’s superiority
in the game. No matter
the loss in the recent
World Cup final, these
youngsters, with sprinkling of a few seniors, are
proving equal to the task
of daring the mighty
Australians and beating
them out in the middle
comprehensively. What
is visible in the young
team is the technique not
just of batting and bowling but also of decisionmaking as the game progresses.They appear cool
and ready for challenges
and undisturbed when
the other side appears to
be doing better.This is the
actual quality of a champion team -- to remain
unfazed in times of pressure. In the two matches
they won, the youngsters
never looked like being
under pressure, so to say.
Much to the contrary,
they looked ready for
those times -- and
appeared to have an
effective answer to the
challenge that arose from
time to time. The experience of the two matches, thus, gives a terrific
feeling of pride in youngsters’ ability to play
world-class cricket with
aplomb.