This refers to the editorial, “New year, old hopes” (January 1). The year 2015 saw a number of upheavals — social, economical, environmental and political — globally and nationally. This has, on the one hand, left vestiges of some caustic memories, as well as some hopeful reminiscences. With the advent of a new year, instead of regretting our failures, we should renew our hopes to accomplish what we could not and should have done for a better future. There is a saying: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
The editorial has rightly observed that our politicians hold the key to actualisation of our dreams and, therefore, we pin a lot of hope on them. It is incumbent upon our policymakers to envisage ways to tackle the problems we are faced with, in a fruitful fashion. Despite being on different pages, both the ruling party and the Opposition must avert tit-for-tat situations and work in tandem on issues that are of national interest. In this regard, friendly relations with our neighbours and communal harmony at home is a pre-requisite.