And so, the curtain falls on President Maumoon Gayoom's 30-year stewardship of the neighbouring Republic of Maldives. This was the first time Mr. Gayoom was challenged at democratic elections, and young political activist, Mohammed Nasheed (41) has emerged the winner from a crop of Opposition politicians who came together with the common aim of deposing him.

At least the elections were relatively free and fair and credit must go to Mr. Gayoom for ensuring that a peaceful transition was possible, despite the somewhat justifiable accusations against him for over-staying at his job and running a virtual one-man show like other dictators around the world. To Mr. Gayoom must also go the credit of modernising the Maldives. And still more, for ensuring that the archipelago of a thousand islands remained a secular state. This week's election was almost a re-run of events that took place when Mr. Gayoom assumed the Presidency. Educated in Colombo and graduating from the Al-Azhar University, Mr. Gayoom ousted a powerful dictator of the time, Ibrahim Nasir.

Mr. Gayoom wanted to modernise what was then a string of fishing villages across thousands of miles to the west of Sri Lanka. Democracy was not on his agenda - but economic upliftment certainly was.

Thirty years ago, the country embraced tourism. Its fledgling hotels were rustic cabana style, with basic amenities. The water was so briny that a proper shower was not possible as the soap would not lather. From those modest beginnings, the Maldives has grown to be a dollar-spinning, exclusive and much-sought-after destination for high-spending tourists.

In the process, it has modernised its fishing industry, and used the sea and its resources to maximum benefit in a manner that shames what Sri Lanka has been doing on both these fronts - tourism and fishing.

Clearly, under Mr. Gayoom, the Maldives prospered. Health services reached the remote islanders through radio communications and sea ambulances; garment factories were opened in the southernmost Gan island, once a British air base; a new international airport was constructed by reclaiming land; a tourist resort next to the tiny capital island of Male, Villingili was converted to public housing to stem the overcrowding of the capital. As the economy grew, so did the bank accounts of Mr. Gayoom's family and cronies. Unfortunately, the trickle-down theory did not occur at the pace it ought to have, and the benefits to the people in the far-flung islands were few. In Colombo and other world capitals, one could often see the nouveau riche Maldivians at casinos and hotels living it up with a glass of whiskey in one hand, and a foreign escort in the other. But there were others, who went for higher studies to the West, who imbibed the values of democracy, the Rule of Law and such fundamental issues, which they wanted stamped in their own country.

But, the President forgot to keep in tune with this younger generation, who were demanding a value-based society. When Mr. Gayoom saw the writing on the wall, and made some last ditch efforts, it was too little, too late. The gathering political storm swept him off his feet this week. While the old order changeth, the Maldives' new leaders might take a leaf out of what happened to their immediate neighbour - Sri Lanka - from whose soil they were permitted to function during their years in exile from the repression of the Gayoom administration. They would have surely learnt how healthy external reserves at the time of Independence (1948) were frittered away on populist policies - free education, free health care -- even free rice - until the time came when someone had to pick the tab one day - and that is today - and tomorrow.

They would have surely seen how the ideals of democracy were abused and political squabbling has led to insurgencies, both in the south and the north, and the nation so divided that it is a surprise that it continues as one country. Political squabbling is going to be inevitable with the opening of the flood-gates of democracy in the Maldives. A moot point made by political analysts is that in the first round of voting, 60% voted against Mr. Gayoom (he received 40%), while 76% voted against the eventual winner, Mr. Nashid (24%). It was only the common anti-Gayoom factor that brought the Opposition together, but already, like in any coalition, problems have emerged.

A powerful religious factor wants to make the country a 100% Islamic state. One of the parties supporting the new President did so only on the condition of getting 30% representation in the Cabinet, and Mr. Nashid who earlier said that he would limit his Cabinet to 12 ministers has, in his first news conference after winning, said he was in talks with others about the composition of the Cabinet, and not committed himself to the number he promised. The Opposition campaign has also caused some concern for the many Sri Lankans employed in that country as teachers, hotel staff and factory workers. Sri Lanka-Maldives relations were excellent during the Gayoom tenure, and while we wish the new Government well, we hope they learn from the mistakes in good governance of others in the neighbourhood.