EDITOR'S COLUMN

Friends,
Can we say, we are euphoric? In a way yes, but in many ways it’s profoundly mixed. We have just completed this October our 16th year in print journalism, but it’s also our 200th edition, as we begin the journey towards the 17th milestone. So, there are reasons to feel satisfied. But it’s a struggle all the same.
Looking back, it has been a trying journey but satisfying as well. It has seen its share of ups and downs, of rising cost and of not equally rising circulations. Of course, there are concerned individuals who want to see I&C growing. Hope their wishes turns out better in coming days. ISSUES&CONCERNS is a movement, more the participation, the better for all stake holders.
Some of the souls and institutions need to be remembered as we look back in perspective of the distance covered. Late Dr. M.V. Kamath, a Padma Bhushan awardee, has been a pillar of strength for all the 14 years that his spirit was around. We remember his soul with deep reverence. Prof. B.M. Hegde, another Padmabhushan, has been with us for all the 16 years like a rock. I&C readers have been greatly benefitted from his incisive exposition of theories he greatly believed in, to him too, we bow in reverence. It will not be out of place to remember some institutions which have been of support in our march ‘towards a purposeful regimen’.  Nitte University at Deralakatte, Mangalooru, Ramco Group, Lome, Togo, West Africa, BASF, Mangalooru, Karnataka Agencies, Mangalooru, Karnataka Bank, Corporation Bank are some of the names that comes to mind, who have been some of the supporters, who stood by us. We deeply appreciate their unstinted support through these last many years. So, it’s a big THANK YOU, to all who reached out to us at regular intervals and helped us keep going, to reach this 200th milestone.
The month that has gone by has been eventful, with the surgical strike across our border in J&K blurring everything else. For far too long India suffered at the intermittent violence by Pak forces and some of the terror groups operating in Pakistan. It was clearly payback time. Situation at the border and India’s relation with the western neighbor shall not remain the same from now on. Kashmir issue, which is at the core of all the trouble that India had for all these years, remains as contentious as ever. Will it ever be solved is a question staring at us. In Focus, we have tried to discuss the Kashmir imbroglio with all the options and a plausible breakthrough.
Month-in-Perspective has been as usual. There is this battle royal between the Supreme Court appointed Lodha Committee and BCCI. Its time this cricket body which wants to take all the advantages of the system simply does not like to come under the system. They want to have the cake and eat it too, perennially. If only Justice Lodha does not make it too difficult to be practical, then chances are BCCI may have to fall in line within the system of accountability. Hope it happens for the larger picture. Rest as usual. Do revert with your inputs.

J. Shyiyan