It’s that time of the year when the mind is still swirling in a festive fervour. Like every year, the celebrations kick-started with the beating of the dhak and blowing of conch shells welcoming Ma Durga followed by the towering flames of the burning Ravana effigy touching the skies, purging us of evil on Dussehra day. This was soon ensued by the whirlwind rush, twinkling lights and endless feasts on Diwali. But somehow this year, as we basked in the familiar sense of festive zeal, we also felt a faint sense of unease lurking right below the happy surface. What was purely tangible was a mood of seething anger alternating with moments of somber quietude and reflection on the lost lives of our brave soldiers and the families they left behind.

September 18, 2016 is a date not many of us would forget soon. The attack on Indian soil on this day was almost like the proverbial last straw and made us sit up and say – hey, enough is enough! Moreover, the day’s tragic outcome acted as a catalyst to more things to come, foremost of all a resolute stance from the Indian Prime Minister giving out clear signals that if our neighbour continued sponsorship of terrorists groups that carry out attacks in India we would no longer turn the other cheek.

The Uri attack and India’s response would go down in the history as turning points. Our cover story reflects on the three-sixty degree offensive defence by India comprising diplomatic carpet bombing delivered through the UN, BRICS and SAARC. If national anger against terrorism was visible in the form of Dussehra theme across the country, a global concern was raised against the menace, as reflected in the Goa Declaration of the 8th BRICS Summit.

India has a different standing altogether in the world today for which a large part of the credit goes to its economic clout with its GDP measuring over $ 2 trillion. No advanced or advancing country in the world can afford to neglect India that offers a 1.2 billion people market. Keeping this in mind, the State has taken a new approach towards dealing with terrorism with a stamp of assertion, making way for a confident India. After all, war is and should always be the last option in any conflict, because way to peace need not necessarily be through war.

Also in this issue is the RBI’s decision to ease interest rates that would provide succor to industry which has long been afflicted by weak order book conditions and create conditions for investment revival. The rate cut is expected to spur demand in rate sensitive sectors thereby helping firms to resume their investment plans.

We also bring to you rare glimpses of a people movement in Nepal which is slowly rebuilding the crumbled heritage of the country which witnessed devastating earthquakes last year.

These stories are reflections of that time of the year when human spirit triumphs over desolation, devastation and destruction. Hope you like them.