EDITOR'S NOTE: Read the Note. 
  

DO NOT BE AFRAID...
“To humanity, which sometimes seems lost…the risen Lord gives the gift of his love, which forgives, reconciles and reopens the soul to hope. Love converts hearts and gives peace.” The Pope’s last message   Read the Article. 
 

A BUDGET FOR ALL SEASONS
The Finance Minister is expecting approximately 21 percent enhancement in gross tax revenues, 31 percent growth in income tax, 33 percent growth in corporation tax, and 21 percent growth in excise tax revenues for the 2005-06 budget. The nominal GDP growth for 2005-06 is estimated at 13.6 percent. Read the Article. 
 

TACKLING INDIA’S ENERGY CRUNCH
To reduce over-dependence on Middle-East countries for its energy requirements, India has emerged as a new entrant to the ‘great game’ of oil hunt in Central Asia.   Read the Article.
 

The Casual Approach So Far
Scientists are aided with bathymetric maps of the ocean floor and topographic maps of the inlands, which can be utilised in speculating the impact of Tsunami waves on coastal areas.   Read the Article.    
    

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“In every era, society must strike the right balance between the freedom business needs to compete for a market share and to make profit, and the preservation of family and community values. If either is undermined the consequences will end up costing us all, more in long term, materially and otherwise than we can possibly gain in the short term” – Hillary Clinton.    Read the Article.
  

GIVING FILLIP TO AN ENDURING RELATIONSHIP (INDIA-CHINA)
“Bilateral trade and economic cooperation have grown rather rapidly in recent years — expanding from pure import and export of commodities to multifaceted and multidimensional cooperation including engineering contracting, technology trade and two-way investment.” – Wen Jiabao   Read the Article.   
  

H.E. Sun Yuxi, the Chinese Ambassador to India
In an exclusive interview on the eve of his Premier’s visit, H.E. Sun Yuxi, the Chinese Ambassador to India, talks with Sunil K Sukumaran, editor, on Indo-Chinese relations.   Read an interview.   
  

Anthem or Anathema; Antipasto or Anti-Pasta
“Knowledge is essential to conquest; only according to our ignorance are we helpless. Thought creates character. Character can dominate conditions. Will creates circumstances and environment”—words of Annie Besant, the English social reformer, who ended up being a theosophist mystic in India, and also joined the struggle for Indian Home Rule. Annie Besant died in India, in 1933.  Read the information. 
  

Mahmoud Abbas: The only way is the choice of peace
Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, was named as the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) after Yasser Arafat died in November 2004. Born in 1935 in the town of Safed, Galilee, in British Mandate Palestine, which became part of Israel in 1948; he and his family fled to Syria.  Read the information.  
 

HIMALAYAN KINGDOM SUNDERED BY POLITICAL TURMOIL
The conflict between the establishment and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist) has now intensified. As a consequence, democracy and process of development in Nepal has received a jolt. Read the Article.
  

Asean-India Cooperation
Work towards establishing bilateral agreements between member countries of ASEAN and India for investment promotion and protection, and double taxation avoidance.  Read the Article.  
 

CONCLAVE ON India-AFRICA PROJECT PARTNERSHIP 2005 
“We are keen on institutionalising our strong heritage and linkages, and are committed to the growth and development of Africa,” External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh at the India-Africa Project Partnership conclave.  Read the Article.
  

Uganda Calling
In the backdrop of the conclave on India-Africa Project Partnership 2005, Dr Maggie Kigozi, Executive Director, Uganda Investment Authority, spoke to the Diplomatist on investment opportunities in Uganda.  Read an interview.   
  

On the sidelines of Aahar International Food Fair 2005
The Ethiopian Ambassador Dr Teketel Forssido addressing the session said, “technology should go down from the higher echelons of research institutes to the farming community.” According to him, food processing technology would help in processing, packaging and storage of food items. Read the information. 
 

The NETHERLANDS towards cooperation & growth
This Partnership is a milestone in EU-India relations that will boost the political, economic, cultural and scientific ties between the 25 member bloc and the world’s largest democracy. Both sides are currently working on a comprehensive Action Plan Read an interview.    
  

LUXEMBOURG CURRENT CHAIR OF THE EU
There’s been some upward movement in trade between Luxembourg and India since 1997, especially regarding India’s exports to Luxembourg, which have doubled. Read the information.
  

BRAZIL AND INDIA GEOGRAPHICALLY APART : STRATEGICALLY UNITED
“India and Brazil are closer than ever today...” Read the interview.
  

TURNING THE TIDE TALKING ECO POLITICS IN AMITAV GHOSH’S the HUNGRY TIDE
The human costs and the costs of conservation are certainly complex issues that find no easy resolution. Towards the end of the novel, the tide and the storm that sweeps the islands and the one moment of solidarity Piya shares with the tiger she chances upon  Read the Article.
 

INDIAN GOLFING PERSONALITIES 
This feature covers a few famous personalities who happen to be excellent amateur golfers. They love the game passionately and have made it an integral part of their leisure. What’s more, they are in no hurry to retire . . . Read the Article.