Pondering over news across the world....

 

 Peace can easily be achieved when we exchange respect for opposing views or ideologies. Gaza can start aiming for peace by releasing Israeli hostages. Violence breeds violence, which is unacceptable on behalf of innocent civilians who are collateral damage in conflicts arising out of authoritarianism, religious fanaticism, cultural animosity, casteism, protectionism, and hyper-nationalism, which is not true patriotism. Statesmen exhibit compassion and empathy for the plight of their nation’s citizens, residents, and refugees. Violence that is perpetrated in Kashmir by non-state actors on behalf of rogue elements in Pakistan, including the ISI and its Army, cannot be deemed a fight for freedom; it is terrorism in its purest form and cannot be compared to what Hamas has sought to inflict upon Israeli civilians out of sheer desperation to seek the attention of the world’s governments. India has not attempted to impose itself on the citizens of Pakistan, although it is my opinion that Pakistan is no longer worthy of being a party to any form of negotiation, as has been witnessed by the world in bringing down Imran Khan’s government and bringing in corrupt Nawaz Sharif. So, let us not compare Gaza or Hamas to Kashmir’s separatists. If there was adequate political will at any point in time to do the right thing without appeasing the minorities, it should have been done long ago, when Kashmiri Pandits were driven out of the state. It was convenient to ignore their plight for purely political reasons. Rehabilitating them in Kashmir should have been the priority subsequent to the abrogation of Article 370, yet nothing has been done for the Pandits. That is a weakness in our political and administrative systems.

America, for all its global policing, is unable to contain gun violence within its own borders, even as the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade for the “Right to Life” activists. We haven’t seen protests against the gun lobby or the Republicans who endorse the gun lobby, despite the severe form of violence perpetrated by citizens against their own people. This is an extreme form of hypocrisy. Americans should not accept gun violence as an everyday thing. It is time to protect themselves against such meaningless violence that causes generational trauma and destruction. It is completely within their power to bring an end to gun violence. Citizens need to trust the law enforcement agencies and not take to guns to protect themselves, and American law enforcement agencies should not recruit personnel with racial tendencies.

As far as the Supreme Court of India is concerned, people are eagerly awaiting the verdict on the electoral bonds case, which, I personally believe, is definitely going to be in favor of the political system, which prefers opacity to transparency in such matters  to prevent being accused of encouraging crony capitalism. The Apex Court needs to find a way to overcome this aspect  and impose transparency and accountability to donors  in the funding of political parties.  The international media is covering this case, and I hope we prove to be a working democracy as the world watches.

Let us prioritize world's women and children and Climate change.

 

 

Starting my day with the hope that my prayers are answered and the turmoil I witness around the world due to regional conflicts mostly attributed to religious fanatics, states that believe in colonizing economically weaker nations by way of weaponizing their debts and reserves of natural resources should endeavor to give peace a chance.  Russia, China, and Israel are unreasonable nations that blatantly encroach upon sovereign and individual rights, taking political stands that are contrarian to humanitarian principles and related international laws. Iran and Saudi Arabia are holding a proxy war in Yemen, taking sides with the ruling government and rebels instead of calling for peace despite starvation and humanitarian crises. Can these nations promote themselves as peacemakers or solution providers?  

I have always wondered why moderate Muslims across the world have never really called for an end to the Shia-Sunni conflicts among nations. Gaza and the West Bank deserve independence and peace and should not be subjugated to such humanitarian offences by Israel. Ukraine has obtained sufficient help to push back Russian troops away from its borders and must take it from there. It should refrain from seeking more foreign aid to retrieve lands that were occupied much before the present attempt by Russia with the ridiculous aim of annexing Ukraine as part of Russia. On a similar note, if the Turkish Ottoman Empire rises once again and tries to annex portions of its ancient empire, will it be acceptable? Every nation should look within and ensure the protection of its own citizens and take steps to provide for them, including peace and economic progress.

Governments have remained silent on the Israeli occupation and suppression of the people in Gaza and building of new settlements within the West Bank. Israel is morally and ethically wrong in its method and manner of protecting itself, claiming it was in self-defense. Governments should not accept such an argument. I am unable to accept the claim that Hamas is a terrorist group and needs to be annihilated. I recall the wars of independence led by leaders such as Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose against British colonialism. Would we be willing to call them terrorists? Violence is condemnable, yet it is important to assess why such acts of terrorism are perpetrated by groups such as Hamas, who are only looking to provide for their own people, who are being subjugated to suppression. Nothing justifies the attitude of Israel towards Gaza. Iran should not pit Hamas against the USA and its allies to score a brownie point but instead look to protect the interests of the Muslims residing within Gaza and children who are caught in the crossfire.

Nations should brood and reflect on the adverse impacts of climate change that directly impinge on the water and food security of several populations that do not have a voice loud enough to be heard by the world and developed nations. Russia owes a responsibility to the world by understanding what is happening in Siberia that is critical to fighting climate change. Any melting of icy regions in Siberia could lead to release of pathogens and greenhouse gases that can be detrimental to its own citizens and the world at large.

Muslim clerics should focus on bringing about peace instead of looking at ways to suppress women and brainwashing them to become second-class citizens in countries such as India by demanding they wear burqa, which is not the same as wearing a head scarf. There are supermodels who look amazing in head scarves. In this context, it is my opinion that the Taliban should not be given any international recognition until it is willing to treat its women decently and gives them due respect and a place in the field of education and in its society. Women help create a better generation of manpower for all nations. Give them the due respect they deserve in society.

 

 

 

 

 

Test of global diplomacy and dynamics...

 

 

Watching the Israel-Gaza war turning into an humanitarian crisis makes moderates and independent thinkers  sad and end to conflicts across the world. All that comes to my mind watching the television news and digital news is  "Thank God all Jews are not Israelis"  which is a comforting thought. I personally would pray for the people in Gaza who are dependent on Israel for water, electricity and medical aid that Israel comes to its senses and give up hatred for people of another religion. Whatever be the historical connotations, making Gaza an open prison and expect no retaliation from those who are tired of being bullied into submission by a country that has no respect for international laws and willfully violates them. Let some good sense prevail.