Editor's Note 
This issue carries a special supplement on the Kingdom of Thailand—a tribute to the redoubtable monarch, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose reign of over six decades reflects unswerving commitment towards the betterment of his country, which has deservedly inspired reverential devotion amongst his people for their king. The focus country in this issue is Ukraine, featuring an exhaustive interview with Mr. Mykola Mischuk, Ukrainian Chargé d’Affairs, New Delhi.  Read the Note. 
  

DIPLOMATIC PASSAGE 
The year began with a spate of high profile visits, which included royalty, presidents, and prime ministers. The flurry of visits continues unabated, and this feature highlights some of the more recent ones to India.  Read the Article.  
 

NEW STRIDES: India-Japan Relations  
Japan’s new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe singles India out for special treatment, viewing it as a new partner in the world of Asian democratic diplomacy. He recalls India’s respect for Japan as the first Asian nation to defeat a western power (in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05), and cites Indian opinion polls that consistently list Japan as a country with which Indians have the most affinity.  Read the Article. 
   

INTERVIEW  
Mr. Mykola Mischuk, Chargé d’Affairs a.i. Embassy of Ukraine, New Delhi
A new stage in Ukrainian-Indian relations began in 2001. It became possible because the leadership of both countries were firmly convinced of the necessity in further comprehensive development of mutually beneficial relations.  Read an Interview.  
   

CONFERENCE: On Free Trade Agreements Organized by CII
India has actively been in negotiations with different countries regarding FTAs. The prominent among them is the negotiation with China. The process has evoked strong protests by different industrial forums. The common point voiced by the industrialists is that we are competitive in many segments and if free trade was allowed we would lose the comparable advantage. The second phase of negotiation for free trade agreement is going to be held when the Chinese President, Hu Jing Tao, is coming to India on 20th November 2006.  Read the Article.      
     

The Village Gallery 
Nestled in a bylane of New Delhi’s upmarket Hauz Khas Village, The Village Gallery has made major contribution to art, by presenting shows of historical significance showcasing uniquely, works of master painter, M.F. Husain, Paritosh Sen, Ganesh Pyne, Haku Shah, Arpana Caur, Meera Mukherjee, Manu Parekh and other eminent as well as upcoming artists. Read the Notes.
  

Indian Paintings
The PAG set the stage for tremendous transformations in the art scene of India. With a sense of newfound artistic liberation, Indian artists—abandoning the archetypal themes followed by those who preceded them—began their quests for their own uniquely individual styles, thus bringing forward new talent and new ideas. Almost all India’s major artists in the 1950s were associated with PAG in someway or the other—some of those who are well known today include Bal Chabda, V.S. Gaitonde, Satish Gujaral, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, Tyeb Mehta, Akbar Padamsee, Laxman Pai, and Jehangir Sabavala.   Read the Article.
  

Pushkar Fair 2006 
I enjoyed the privilege of being one of 25,000 tourists that joined the throng of 300,000 visitors - colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians and sadhus – in the sleepy town of Pushkar in November (2006). The event, of course, was the Pushkar Fair – the world’s largest camel fair.  Read the Article.   
    

Non-Aligned Movement: in the context of Havana Conference  
With the end of the Cold War, it was proclaimed that the non-aligned is dead, or it is no longer relevant. The reason being forwarded in support of the argument was that, the purpose for which NAM was launched, is no more relevant, because now the world is unipolar or multipolar as one wants to see with the demise of ex-Soviet Union. But even after this kind of proclamation, NAM is in robust health. This can be inferred from the 14th conference held at Havana in Cuba. The fourteenth Heads of State Non Alignment Conference was held in the second week of September.  Read the Article. 
    

Copyright Law: in India and the present scenario on Book Piracy  
Piracy is an offence in India punishable with imprisonment of 6 months upto 3 years and/or a fine of Rs. 50,000/- upto Rs. 2,00,000/- (approximately US$ 1086 to 4347). India enacted Copyright law in 1957 and cast statutory recognition on Copyright in various classes of works. The Indian Copyright Act provides the mechanisms for exploitation (by licensing and assignment) and protection of Copyright (through Civil and Criminal remedies). Copyright in a work vests with its creator and comes into existence by the mere act of expression of the work in any form or medium.  Read the Article. 
    

Water: Local Solutions for Global Problems  
The scarcity of water is getting real, thanks to burgeoning population growth coupled with environmental destruction. Inefficient and irresponsible use of available water is compounding the problem, further. The repercussion of the scarcity is felt deeply across different sectors at various levels, but especially at the local level. The effort should be directed to address this issue at the local level more intensely. In fact, in many cases, water conflict takes different forms, because other discordant factors get clubbed together which worsen the prevailing situation.  Read the Article. 
    

Japan's lionheart bids adieu  
Japan’s ex-Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, nicknamed as ‘Lionheart’ and ‘Maverick’ has finally kissed good-bye to the political career. Mr. Koizumi, the longest serving Prime Minister in last two decades, will be remembered for reviving the depressed Japanese economy as well as receiving flak from neighbours for controversial activities.  Read the Article.