In Mikhail Gorbachev’s exit from this world on the 30th of August, 2022 in Moscow, Russia, the world has lost an important, visionary, and bold leader.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described Gorbachev as a “one-of-a-kind statesman”. He said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mikhail Gorbachev, a one-of-a-kind statesman who changed the course of history. He did more than any other individual to bring about the ‘peaceful end of the Cold War”. Monumental words, indeed, about Gorbachev.

The point to ponder is, of course, is there any individual or statesman out there who has Gorbachev’s courage & audacity to bring about the peaceful end of the present Nuclear Weapons Era so that we can, finally, begin to tackle the menace of climate change?

ABBAS R. SIDDIQI,

Lahore.