2010 - what's in store??

This decade has been one of the most eventful periods in the history of mankind. We have seen numerous significant and unforgettable events that have drastically changed or made drastic changes inevitable in the world around us.

In years to come, there will be only two forces that will largely influence our lifestyles, our economies, our peace, our wars, our poverty, our fortunes, our lives and our deaths. These forces will be terrorism and global warming.

Now if we don’t bother much about what happened over the last decade or what would happen in next ten years and concentrate only on the immediate year to come, it is easily conceivable that this year is not going to leave our planet the way we have seen or thought of it before. This year is going to show us some huge results of what all has transpired over the last decade or in fact during the last century. The year 2010 is going to be decisive for mankind.

TERRORISM

It is not hidden from anybody that the world has zeroed in on Pakistan with hopes of eliminating the menace of terrorism. Now this does not mean that terrorism will vanish in 2010. But it can be easily predicted that this year is not going to leave Pakistan and more importantly, the world the same as before. Either US forces will be able to contain this Mujahiddin menace or Pakistan will commence its transformation into the world’s biggest ‘anarchy-infested, lawless, impoverished, dangerously-powered-by-weapons-of-mass-destruction and ruled-by-doctrinaire-religious-extremists’ piece of land. If the latter takes place, then it would also make half of the world reeling under the mercy of Pakistan, making it the most determining factor for survival of mankind and civility. If Afghanistan was our biggest concern in last decade, then Pakistan might go on to be a bigger concern now, and yes it won’t be legitimate to think about the whole decade this time.. A year or two would finish all our concerns forever !

GLOBAL WARMING

A few days ago I was reading an article in TOI that described last decade as the period of ‘Indo-China rivalry’. This reminded me of the history lessons of class IX that talked about the European industrialization era. The stark similarities between both these contexts are easily discernible. But there is a contrasting difference that exists. The century old era was not exposed to a global threat that today’s world has to deal with. Nobody knew in 1890 what concentration of carbon dioxide meant to mankind. But now, all because of this knowledge, I was unable to enjoy reading the above mentioned article. Instead of cheering up, I was left in uneasiness.

The tamasha of Copenhagen failed as expected. Now with no hopes from the ‘civilized’ society, it is becoming difficult for me to believe that I’ll live an average lifespan and have a peaceful natural death ! I’m skeptical whether, if sometime in future I wish to enjoy on a beach, there will exist a place called the Andamans that I visited this year. I’m also doubtful if I’ll be able to go for a dip in the holy Ganga river during my next visit to the hometown. Will I be able to revisit the Rohtang pass or Gangotri glaciers? Will my home in Ahmedabad stand in the expanding Thar desert someday? I know these thoughts of mine seem very strange and stupid today. But what actually is disturbing me is my premonition that the year 2010 will definitely show us a trailer of what is in store for us. I believe many of my ‘stupid’ doubts will be cleared this year.

Still with a hope that whatever I am worried about will be taken care of by more meaningful and effective human actions, I look forward to a prosperous and joyful 2010. After all...ummeed par hi duniya tiki hai... :)

Indian?? Of course I am !!

First of all, I thank people for reading my previous post and taking pains for posting critical reviews.. I really appreciate that.. I would address all the issues raised.

Instance 1

("I hope someday the daughter of this very MP shall become a gold medal for a foreign nation !")

While expressing myself, its very difficult for me to be diplomatic and always soft. It is just a matter of spontaneity that I end up writing such weird statements..which i really never mean.. but I also never regret them.. and it would be good if such statements are not understood literally.. its important to consider the prelude and feel the component of anger, rage and disappointment involved, rather than going for the literal meaning.

Instance 3

I'm afraid I don't buy the idea that eliminating anti-social elements won't do any good. If hanging kasab would create more kasabs, then I believe not hanging kasab would create even a larger number of 'victims of kasab' in the form of near and dear ones of those butchered by this animal. Those people would never be able to come out of trauma and they'll end up losing all faith in judiciary... and yes..I state again - 'Justice delayed is justice denied'

I wonder if relatives of those martyred in the parliament attack have ever been able to sleep peacefully since then...and the reason is known to all..

Now it is up to us to decide whether we should try NOT to please 'a few revenge-seeking, anger-driven' or we must try to commiserate with those who have lost their son or husband or mother or daughter because of the cowardly and beastly act of an 'anti-social element'!

My intention of broaching the topic of Saddam Hussein was all about the grit, determination and swiftness shown by the Americans in eliminating the man, whom they considered evil. My idea was to just give an example of how we must tackle our enemies. Who cares if no weapon of mass destruction was found in Iraq ? The reality is that the Iraqis got rid of a dictator and a mass murderer in the quest of an 'imperialistic madman' for personal revenge.

I strongly support such treatment for the enemies of the state.

As far as my lost patriotism is concerned, let me first clear a misconception flourishing in the minds of many people. I have stated in my earlier posts as well that patriotism should never be confused with chauvinism. The feeling of 'my country is the best' is chauvinism and I strongly condemn that. Patriotism is a very broad entity. As per my perception, it involves a zeal and will to make one's own country the best.

Yes, I agree having lost my patriotism is a bit weird ! Of course it was just a momentary feeling and I've come out of it now. But I must convey that the instances that I've kept were very demoralising and devastating for my resolve for the motherland... Another person B might have reacted differently, but whatever posted earlier was wholly my reaction..

Indian?? who ?? me ??

After being in a lighter mood lately and the resultant ‘gay talk’ of my previous post, last three weeks have been quite somber and demure for me. The causative agents for this are principally two: 1. My (disastrous) end-semesters and 2. My penchant for keeping myself well-informed of the world around.

I don’t consider discussing the first thing (as it will only multiply my sorrows..and not solve a problem). But the second topic deserves a mention at least on this measly nook of the web space.

A major chunk of my time, from the last 3 weeks, was engulfed by a black-hole called exam preparations ! However this doesn’t mean that I delved myself completely into the abysmal depths of textbooks. I exploited the broadband connection of my college to the maximum and downloaded stuffs and spammed more professors and wandered desultorily on youtube and finally watched (and read) news on my favorite news channel website.

But somehow, watching news was a bit disconcerting and disgruntling during this period. It felt as if with each passing day, my feeling of patriotism was fading away. As my end-semesters were approaching closer, my love for the motherland was drifting away. The happenings happening around me were all responsible for that.

Instance 1

A Russian tourist is raped in Goa. The rapist is a fucking politician. He has no regrets for his deed. The victim is threatened by the assailant afterwards. He is seen laughing on national television as if he has won a gold medal for India in Olympics ! About a month later, an ‘honorable’ Member of Parliament blames the girl for getting her modesty desecrated, giving enough evidence that he has the potential to become the next gold medalist for India..all he needs is just a state-sponsored visit to the Bondi beach ! It is a massive misery for us that out of over a billion people, we find such disgusting beings to be called our leaders. I hope someday the daughter of this very MP shall become a gold medal for a foreign nation !

Instance 2

A new kid called ‘Telangana’ is on his way ! The painful pregnancy of our motherland is the result of a yet another occasion of poor (family) planning by our demagogues. The labour pains have started in the form of riots and anarchy in one of our biggest and developed cities, i.e., Hyderabad. The date of delivery is not known as yet, but what is known to everyone is that all education boards will soon have to edit their geography textbooks for a good-for-nothing cause. Forget the petty politics involved, what is really disheartening is that most of the concerned people are perceiving this stupid and unimportant event as a matter of extreme importance. They are filled with a ‘passion’ that they never show for the country. The rest, who have a straightforward opinion – “Who cares ??”, are a minority and have no say. What I can foresee is the evolution of a new neighboring-states rivalry with more fights for distribution of power, water and other resources, joining the ever-growing bandwagon of ‘Dismantle India’ brigade. This brigade already has onboard terrorism, poverty, population, corruption, naxalism and of course our leaders !

I believe I screwed up my DOM paper because when I was supposed to be preparing for it, I was wondering about the mental state of the moron that composed a song/phrase (whatever) that goes like – “Anekta mein ekta, hai Hind ki visheshta” !!

Instance 3

Kasab is a better actor than SRK. He has made a mockery of the goddamn Indian judicial system. I bet he’ll end up acting in a few Bollywood movies before NOT dying, but getting free after a Kandahar-2 !! This insane terrorist has enjoyed one whole year in an Indian prison, which is a far better place than his Pakistan home ! At least he gets food here (and that too twice a day..something he must have dreamt of all his life) and secondly, he has no fear of a US drone firing a missile into his ass. What makes me almost cry is the fucking importance he is getting in our country. For all human rights activists, he is the most humane person on earth. Our government and judiciary, who are always looking to prove something or other to the world, don’t want to miss this opportunity to prove that India is the most justice-loving country in the world. Maybe they have a bigger plan of making India a global justice outsourcing hub !!

I can only ask this question – How long did it take for the US to hang Saddam Hussein?? Nobody knows clearly what actually transpired in the court, where he was tried. The version that US gave was accepted or rejected the world over. But ultimately, Saddam was hanged and nobody could stop that. At that moment, US never thought of proving anything to the world. Bush wanted to hang him and he did, even as we know that no weapon of mass destruction was actually found in Iraq.

Instance 4

A top IPS officer of Haryana molested a 14-year old girl in 1990. The girl could not bear the trauma and committed suicide three years later. The animal responsible for this has been convicted now, 19 years after the incident. Firstly, I believe in the saying – ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. So this conviction is just as rubbish as shit. Secondly, the monster got a hilarious punishment. He got SIX MONTHS in jail. Now this is the beauty of Indian judiciary. You wait for fucking 19 years to put someone in jail for 6 months ! Even Mr. Liberhan would be feeling insecure after this !

Now just read this statement : “A former Director General of Police in Haryana, India molested a teen driving her to end her life. He escaped almost scot free with SIX MONTHS in jail after NINETEEN YEARS of trial.” If a foreigner reads out this statement and asks me about my nationality, I am definitely sure my reply WON'T be “INDIA”.