Third millennium still a year away

We have not yet entered the third millennium and the 21st century. For a moment I was wrong, when most of humanity and the media including your paper welcomed the new millennium last week. What more, The Times, the BBC and Newsweek went on to name their Men of the Century, a bit too hastily, though. However the Indonesian daily, Kompas did not make that mistake. Please see that paper to know how many days there are until the third millennium.

So, folks, we are still in the 20th century, which will end only on Dec. 31, 2000, with the completion of 20 x 100 years.

Anyway, it is a fantastic New Year -- 2000 or Y2K -- and I wish all you readers a very happy and prosperous New Year 2000, and most importantly, I wish you all best with the opportunity to welcome the third Millennium and 21st century, the real ones.

LAXMI R IYER

Jakarta