Politically, long-term, subterranean changes are manifesting themselves in seminal events. The stunner is the nomination of Barack Obama as the candidate of the Democratic Party for the US presidency. That a black man should have been given the chance to have a crack at the job is perhaps even more significant than if he wins the election. Volumes will be written about this in the years to come. Closer home, Nepal has rid itself of its centuries-old monarchy. And for all one knows, India may see a dalit prime minister after the next general election
