BHUTAN BOND
   Date :20-Aug-2019

 
INDIA’S push for ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy was vividly on display during Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan, where he spelled out the unique relation between the two countries and hailed the Bhutanese concept of Gross National Happiness which underlines the essence of happiness in life. India’s relationship with the Himalayan kingdom is a prime example of excellent neighbourly engagement characterised by fine co-operation, understanding and trust in each other.
 
The large Indian presence in almost every sphere of development in Bhutan underscores the faith Thimphu puts in New Delhi which has stood by it as an all-weather ally even during the testing stand-off at the Indo-China-Bhutan trijunction at Doka La. Mr. Modi’s acknowledgement of the Bhutanese way of synergising development, environment and culture is a great compliment to the landlocked nation which can serve as a learning platform for a big country like India. After Maldives, the PM’s Bhutan visit is another right step in keeping the neighbourhood in good humor.
 
BEYOND DOUBT
 
THE occasional defeat, like the one World Number One tennis icon Novak Djokovic faced at the hands of the Russian player Daniil Medvedev in Cincinnati Masters, does not affect his iconic status. In that top and rarified league, Djokovic also has two other masters to give company, the achingly stylish Roger Federer and astonishingly classic Rafael Nadal.
 
This threesome has dominated men’s tennis for long, like nobody else ever did. Their greatness stems from their classicism, their endurance, and their ability to correct themselves as they march along. In that pursuit, an occasional setback does not affect their status as icons of the game and of sports. They have given to tennis in particular and sports in general certain philosophy of success that also encompasses an occasional failure in its circle. That gift of the threesome will always remain an integral part of tennis and sport lore. Time may be running out for them. Other stalwarts are also pushing on to come up. But that will never affect the status of the three all-time greats.