Solidarity for peace and ecology: Condemnation of violence and destruction

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava*
When the world is recovering from COVID but still looming with Climate Change and Capitalism impacts, violence and destruction are the last things people on this planet should resort to. The existence of war demands for thinking differently. The existence of climate change demands for thinking differently. The existence of capitalism demands for thinking differently. There are more efforts required to restore peace and ecology of the planet and its people than to do reckless damage like the current Russia-Ukraine tension through invasion.
While a war is a product of bad politics and good capitalism, around the world there is a rise in authoritarian rule politically and economically and ironically those are all led by men. The maps on transboundary conflicts triggered since antiquity show that men have been at the center of all the violence and destruction. Relating that with the historical events of wars across the world, it is no exaggeration to say that men in power have damaged the fabric of the society time and again leaving behind deep and dark wounds, most of which take generations to heal and some even never heal. In their aggression, it is also true that the non-combatant citizens alias the vulnerable voiceless women, youth and children are the most negatively affected. Time immemorial, the women, youth, and children are not asked their perception and preference for violence and destruction and are subject to imposition of the same. If they are asked, such violence will never occur in the first place. This hints that it is crucial for women leaders to take the charge of the big nations and big global decisions.
The wanton unwarranted attack on Ukraine is shocking for people across the world. The unwanted act is a disrespect to international law and jeopardizes the international orders. It is unfortunate and unacceptable that Ukraine’s sovereignty is attacked instead of engaging in discussions, dialogues, and debates to resolve the conflicting matters between the two states. “Our first and most pressing problem is how to do away with warfare as a method of solving conflicts….”, Margaret Mead.
There is no reason to support this or that side in a war situation because it is not a not a zero-sum game. Wars bring only losses! There is no win in a war for ordinary people and the planet. The win is limited to a handful of arrogant politicians and capitalists who see wars/conflicts as an opportunity to start over again to fix the situation by generating more profit. At the end of any war, left are the women widowed, youth and children orphaned, men injured, and the environment destroyed. This shows how the arrogant men are not thinking holistically. “All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal”, John Steinbeck.
It is ironically noticed throughout history that while the human and economic damages are accounted for during and after such mass destructions; however, the damage done to the environment go unaccounted. Amidst the rising climate change induced resource and environmental distresses on land, water, air, flora and fauna, such deliberate damages by brutal interventions by humans cannot be ignored anymore also because those further worsen the disparity among the privileged and the unprivileged humans.
What is happening there is horrific, and we call for urgent ramifications for the life of people on both sides especially women, youth, and children who were not asked for their views on this uncalled act. If we are thinking that the destruction is far from us and is not going to affect us, we are absolutely wrong and misjudging the fast and farfetched impacts in the globalized world. Not to forget that climate change and most economic transactions of the present times are global and one for all thus such events and disturbance are bound to impact all of us. Any further rapid loss of biodiversity, land, water and air is also a severe threat to the sustainability of the planet.
It is alarming to find the international agencies and surrounding countries struggling to negotiate peace with the Russian Federation. We request the UN, EU, NATO, the Russian Federation and any agency who can to urgently reinstate normalcy towards regular life of health, education, social and culture of the people of Ukraine. We also request urgent restoration of the damaged environment of land, water, air, flora and fauna. We express solidarity to all in Ukraine in their distressed time and embrace the communities in Russia who are speaking out against the invasion while courageously continuing to dedicate themselves to peace, dialogue and open cooperation.

We, the people, especially the voiceless women, youth, children, and vulnerable men deeply condemn military assault on Ukraine. We express deep concerns for the safety and welfare of the people affected in Ukraine and call on international agencies and surrounding countries to ensure the welfare of those affected from the conflict and chaos. We dissent on what is raging now because the stains of all bloodsheds have deep future consequences on each one of our lives as evident historically and logically.
At an individual capacity, we are committed to supporting those who are directly or indirectly impacted by these events. We intend to do everything we can to assist as effectively as possible those who reach us. As sensible and sensitive people, we are committed to contribute to a better world and to dedicate ourselves to the goals of peace, respect and liberty for all besides our individual best to not damage the environment, if not manage it properly.
Wake up to stand up in solidarity for peace and ecology! We need to walk and talk the path of peace and ecology. We shall do Satyagraha to demean the unethical act of war and defend the restoration of peace and ecology!
You are requested to please add your signature in this solidarity letter by March 02, 2022. The letter can then be sent to the United Nations, the President of respective countries (India in my case), the President of Ukraine, and the President of Russia.

---
*Entrepreneur | Researcher | Educator | Speaker| Mentor. More info on her learning and sharing are at: www.mansee.in

Comments

Dev Anand ably acted as westernised, urban educated, modern hero, as also anti-hero

By Harsh Thakor On September 26th we celebrated the birth centenary of legendary actor Dev Anand. Dev Saab carved out a new epoch or made a path breaking contribution in portraying romanticism and action in Bollywood cinema, giving his style or mannerisms a new colour. Arguably no Bollywood star manifested glamour in such a dignified or serene manner or struck the core of an audience’s soul in romantic melodies. Possibly we missed this evergreen star being cast in a Hollywood film. Dev Anand is like an inextinguishable soul of Bollywood. Although not as artistic or intense as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor or Ashok Kumar ,Dev Anand surpassed them all for liveliness or flamboyance, with his performances radiating g energy on the screen, in realms rarely transcended. In his own right, Dev Saab, was a craftsman, like his classical contemporaries, with a characteristic composure. Perhaps never was a Bollywood star so suave, bubbling or charming as Dev Anand, who often looked like an Indian versi

Why Govt of India, Sangh Parivar want to stop the use of ‘India’? What's in a name?

By Ram Puniyani Coincidentally after the opposition parties came together to form INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), the ruling BJP is desisting from the use of word India in official communiqués and its parent organizations RSS has issued a fatwa that only word Bharat should be used for our country. While inviting the representative’s participants of G 20, the President issued the invitation in the name of ‘Rashtrapati of Bharat’. Since then BJP is on the track of avoiding the use of the word India in all its pronouncements, saying this word smacks of colonial legacy since this word was given to the country by British colonial rulers. Mr. Hemant Biswa Sarma of BJP said that word India is part of the colonial legacy and should be removed. RSS chief and other functionaries have intensified this message. Speaking at a function at Guwahati Mr. Bhagwat, stated “We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak Eng

Significant step towards empowering and particularly engaging with informal workers

ActionAid note on drive to empower informal sector workers Odisha with the support of District Labour Department: *** The Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board (OUWSSB) facilitated an Unorganized Workers Awareness Camp at the Red Cross Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event took place in collaboration with the District Labour Department at Khordha, Centre for Child and Women Development and ActionAid Association. This informative event aimed at empowering informal sector workers by disseminating crucial information regarding their eligibility for various social security schemes provided by the Government of Odisha.

Grassroots NGO enlightens people of Kupwara with intricacies of Right to Information

J&K RTI Foundation and Founder Civil Rights Movement Kupwara note on how RTI Pend is empowering Kupwara with insights on Right to Information Act: *** RTI Pend, the grassroots initiative aimed at democratizing access to information, hosted its 2nd event in Kupwara. On the request of the Civil Rights Movement Kupwara, this event was tailored to enlighten the people of Kupwara with the intricacies of the Right to Information Act, presented in their local language and dialects. The event successfully bridged both offline and online participation, addressing queries on the spot and offering applicants practical solutions.

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Why originality of Gandhi's thoughts, example of his life still inspire people world over

By Moin Qazi* Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary reopens a familiar debate around his legacy every year. How could a frail man use his moral strength to galvanize 400 million Indians in their struggle for independence from the mighty British Empire? How did Gandhi inspire ordinary people to turn fear into fearlessness and anger into love? What were his tools for fighting colonialism? How could he inspire the world to embrace his philosophy of nonviolence? What can we learn from him today? And is he still relevant?

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Sewer workers not given ESI cards that would ensure health benefits they need the most

A note by the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), an organization working for the issues of sanitation workers in Delhi NCR, on right to life and dignity which still seems light years away for sewer workers: *** Exploitation of Sewer workers is not just a labour issue, but it is rooted in the caste system and cannot be separated from the historical socio-religious-cultural-economic exploitation of the Dalit community! Stated Mr. Y.S. Gill, Senior Journalist and Documentary Film maker in the press conference organised by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) in Integrated Social Initiatives (ISI), Lodhi Road, New Delhi on issues of sewer workers in Delhi. The press conference was attended by a number of community members, activists, members of the civil society, students etc.

Agro-biodiversity through seed identification, conservation, replication, crop selection

By Kuntal Mukherjee, Basant Yadav, Shivnath Yadav* This article is mainly based on a journey of the three of us since 2010 based on field experience, study of different articles, reflective journeys with local community based organisations, villagers and practitioners in Chhattisgarh. The slow growth of Agriculture in India with near stagnation in productivity since mid ‘80s in contrast to the remarkable growth during the green revolution period has come to the front as a great concern. In post WTO era Indian Agriculture has been witnessing structural changes, uncontrolled influx of agriculture goods and commodities from foreign countries due to open market nature. The gradual reduction in subsidies from internal production leads to increasing cost of production of agriculture produces at the farm gate. It causes gradual decrease in internal production as well as productivity and posing threats to small farm and stakeholders.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Search This Blog