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... :)