It may well have been another futile exercise, another attempt to scale the mountain of difficulties. Yet the people's SAARC held in New Delhi its meeting-their fifteenth-this week to re-emphasise upon the official SAARC summit at Thimpu that the countries in South Asia would continue to lag behind in development until they realize that they have no go from cooperation.

This year on May 8-9, the 65th anniversary of the Great Victory over nazism is celebrated all over the world. But in Russia's calendar of memorable dates, the 9th of May occupies a special place. Just one mention of the Victory Day causes the heart of each Russian to be wrung.