Dear Citizens,

What started as a dream six months back, has metamorphosed into a reality for all to see. As I write to you through this special issue of merinews, I feel delighted and wish to express my gratitude for the overwhelming support extended by all of you in bringing merinews to where it stands today.

In short period of existence, merinews today stands as a unique media platform with more than 1,500 registered citizen journalists spread around the globe, hailing from diverse socio-cultural and professional backgrounds. The citizens seamlessly slipped into the role of a citizen journalist for merinews, while continuing to be teachers, bankers, students, homemakers, writers, models or even journalists in their day-to-day lives. Merinews has come to be the primary platform for these citizens to convey their analysis, insights, views, experiences and perceptions about the happenings around them.

Merinews: Glimpses 2006 is an attempt by us to put together an a abridged edition as it appeared at various occasions/events in the year 2006 and also a salute to the efforts of our avid readers, contributors and critics.

Your participation is an inspiration and your feedbacks are the fuel for improvements.

Vipul Kant Upadhyay
Editor-in-Chief