It's the end of another year, and the various media are going on their usual spree of making different lists of top ten everything, ranging from the absurd to the tasteless.

As I look back at the year, two events, though vastly different, have shown us a lot of things about people, attitudes and life in general. Two earthquakes destroyed Bhuj. The immediate response by thousands of people and agencies around the world was tremenodus. The poor response of the government was appalling. After the 'story' died down, everyone forgot about it. Two planes were crashed into the World Trade Center. The immediate response by the entire world was tremendous. The government went to war and killed a few thousand starving men women and children by dropping food on them. And the 'story' refuses to die.

Everyone applauded how America 'came together in a time of grief.' Few even bothered to turn and look back at those resilient people halfway round the world who are putting their lives back, piece by single piece, after all the brouhaha died down.

In my book, the year 2001 belongs to the people of Bhuj, who realised that the world's perception of reality is based solely on the sound bytes the media give them and returned to rebuilding their homes, lives and destinies.

Here's to a New Year that all of us have a good time in.

Cheers.