The worst of times brings out the best from a true leader, someone who, with political skill and a higher sense of national interest, turns adversity into advantage. India, a nation bruised and gasping for some fresh air, should be a challenge as well as an opportunity for such a leader. We miss him so badly, and what we have instead are seasoned ventriloquists and masters of triangulation.

Hyderabad, Nov. 19: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, said the Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi project would irrigate seven drought-prone districts in Telangana and make the region Haritha (green) in four years.

Home to one of the wettest regions in the world, Meghalaya is facing shortage of rainfall this monsoon, along with Gujarat and southern parts of the country.
Though southwest monsoon had covered the entire country by July 10, five days ahead of the average date, southern peninsula, several states in Northeastern India, Gujarat and central Maharashtra have witnessed scanty rainfall. Regions facing scanty rainfall also include North Karnataka, Telengana in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Lakshadweep.