| This week, at last, there is hope on the horizon. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's sudden visit to Washington ultimately
produced some positive noises from Pakistan about withdrawal from Kargil. Of course, it is
too early to say that peace will return immediately because Sharif has many domestic
obstacles, and India has to insure that peace does not come with too many strings attached
and that it is a lasting one. But there is little doubt, with India's military victories
and stymieing of Pakistan's dip- lomacy, the endgame is now being played out. After the initial shock of massive intelligence failure and confused fumbling
of the government, we quickly put our act together to frustrate Pakistan on every front.
In particular, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee showed a judicious mix of toughness and
flexibility to give the military the freedom to pursue their objectives while retaining
the goodwill of the international community. And the people of India were not far in
rallying behind the war effort.
Our correspondents and photographers fanned out across the
country to record the mood of a nation that is surprisingly upbeat in these trying times:
a bride gives away her wedding jewellery for Kargil soldiers. An Assamese militant now
wants to fight for India. Also, to see how far Pakistan and India are ready to be part of
the solution rather than part of a problem, we gathered exclusive insights from the US,
Pakistan and Delhi and, of course, the battlefront in Kargil, where diplomatic intentions
haven't yet been translated into reality.
These days, we can do with all the good news we can get. Like
the one from Wimbledon, where Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi won the doubles crown,
their second straight Grand Slam title. It was a historic and emphatic victory. For, they
won their battles -- and the war. The winning formula: hard work, team spirit and a will
to win. Just shows when we work like that much can be achieved.
(Aroon Purie) |
