Every few years it seems that there is a new scramble for Africa; it's only the interested actors and strategies that seem to vary. It started with the rapid European colonization of the continent. This was followed by the more covert power play by USA and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.  The 21st Century or the current scramble for oil and minerals dominated by China and USA has been widely discussed by analysts. There have also been a number of new scramblers on the block, involved to a comparatively lesser extent, in particular India, Brazil and a resurgent Russia, who have increased their foreign policy focus on Africa in recent years. 

In December of 2009, the United Nations passed a resolution to declare 2010-2011 as the International Year of the Youth, starting on August 12, 2010 and ending August 11, 2011. The focus is on three main areas �€“ increasing investment in today�€™s young population, mobilizing and engaging the youth, and increasing intercultural understanding among youth. In a time when the headlines are full of �€œbad news�€ and we see the mistakes of the older generation, it is important to highlight the difference made by thousands of young people around the world, and to provide them with the space to do more.  

During the recent troubles in Kashmir, many analysts were quick to draw parallels between Kashmir and Palestine, stating that the unrest in the valley is similar to that of the Palestinian Intifadas. According to the Christian Science Monitor, the nature of the recent protests �€“ stone throwing by youth as a reaction to heightened security measures and economic stagnation �€“ is strikingly comparable to the Palestinian riots witnessed in 1987 and 2000. 

The 21st century should, by all accounts, be India's for the taking. Indeed, the world seems to expect it of us. If in the previous century, we overthrew our colonial shackles, then it is in this century that we are supposed to take advantage of India's inherent and abundant endowments to become a regional and global superpower. However, the country has been hamstrung, both by its own missteps and by its regional rival, China.  

As the world watches in disbelief and horror, the extent of the devastation caused by the monsoon-driven floods across Pakistan, there is a sense of reluctance to assist in the relief and rehabilitation of the nearly 17.2 million people that have been adversely affected. 

The ongoing conflict in Thailand has been covered diligently by the international press for the past few months. The media has been analysing the situation from every possible angle. This enthusiasm has, in return, managed to keep the spotlight away from a trend which can now be observed in many countries in this region. There is a growing �€˜gap�€™ between classes in countries in this belt and this is no more confined only to Thailand. The gap between the rich and the poor are expanding steadily, but surely. This trend, if not addressed immediately, will usher a new and dangerous era for countries in South and South Eastern Asia and may well cause a definite slowdown in the region�€™s march towards development.  

It is not easy to miss the signs of destruction of nature where ever one goes. Tall skyscrapers and the large cranes building them are a constant feature of every city in the world. Mountains of granite and rocks are being flattened, trees cut and rivers diverted to provide the raw materials for the construction industry. It is estimated that about 90% of all non-fuel mineral use and a large proportion of timber use goes into the construction industry. It is easy to fuel economic growth, especially in the short term with no regard to the damage that it is causing on longer term environmental and social sustainability. What we need to find are imaginative and constructive solutions, that not only fuel growth and economic development, but also restore to the earth some of her natural bounties. 

There has been widespread unrest in Kashmir for more than a month now. The present government strategy of deploying security forces will treat the symptoms of the crisis but not the malady at the heart of it. Only political and economic development has the potential to build durable peace in a volatile Kashmir.