
Manmohan Singh Narrowly Defeats Songia Gandhi in Elections!
In the closest presidential race in the Commonwealth's history, Manmohan Singh (pictured above) of the Left Front party defeated the candidate of the Congress Alliance, Songia Gandhi. The winning margin was slightly under 100,000 votes, with the Alliance calling for a recount. Gandhi came out publicly and congratulated Singh on his victory, though, and quelled any thoughts of re-doing the vote counting.
With the race finally over the focus comes solely on Singh now. Analysts say his victory was largely due to his image as a fence mender, someone who can bring India together. His blue turban is now a national icon of unity, hope to perhaps the dream of a perfect India. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs together with no violence from religious or autonomy disputes.
The narrow margin of this victory however, shows the truth that has haunted India since its conception. It is a divided country, not just in religion and nationality, but in ideal, and it will take a truly special person in power to change this fact of history. Over a billion people will pray that Manmohan Singh is that person. -
Bhavik Jiva
Australasia & Japan Sign Alliance with India; Association of South Asian Nations Formed
A deal in the works for over three months now was finally inked between the nations of India, Australasia, and Japan. It ensures the protection of each nation from the other, a mutual protection pact of sorts. The new alliance has met warm receptions in the allying nations as expected, but has been met with harsh reactions from the rulers of neighboring Indochina and China. They feel the alliance is in response to a non-existing aggression, simply a recruiting of armies to help India in a conquest of Indochina.
Newly inaugurated President Manmohan Singh flatly rejected the Indochinese statements, firing back by saying, "We have no need for a war against the Indochinese people, and we doubt our allies in Australasia and Japan would be tolerant of a pre-emptive strike by India into Indochina."
There were also talks of a possible Commonwealth of Nations between Britain and India, but these talks ended before they really began. -
Abhinav Kalidas