Skip to main content

Celebrating new year in vacuum? Wishful thinking: 2023 to be better than previous yrs

By NS Venkataraman* 

Dawn of year 2023 will be celebrated with people all over the world welcoming the year with bright illumination, bursting of fire crackers and exchange of good wishes, with sooth sayers and astrologers predicting the events in the forthcoming year and leaders of various governments across the world greeting the people promising an era of peace and prosperity. Of course, prayers are also offered in religious centres seeking prosperity and happy conditions.
Events in the past several years show that such celebrations and wishes on the new year eve have not been followed by showering an era of peace and harmony but the world continued to be strife torn with conflicts and animosity between nations and individuals remaining undiminished.
Of course, in the year 2023, there would continue to be spectacular achievements in the field of science and technology with greater reach in communication facilities and in variety of other fields . But, however, what is unlikely to change is the mindset of people. It appears that violence and self centredness in the hearts of men and women all over the world would remain at the same level. This is the experience of mankind over several decades.
The year 2023 will continue to be confronted, like the previous years, with several challenges and issues like global warming and climate change , terrorist attacks, conflicts between nations, atrocities against women and so on.

Climate challenge:

COP 27, a global meet to discuss and deliberate on the global climate threat has concluded in Egypt, after animated discussions and after passing paper resolutions , with COP 27 ending no better than COP 26 earlier.
The fundamental issues posing climate challenges like need to eliminate fossil fuel do not look like happening at anytime soon. Oil rich countries do not want to stop the production of crude oil and natural gas and coal rich countries do not want to reduce the production of coal. All promises made in COP 27 look like going for a toss.

Russia Ukraine war:

Russia-Ukraine war is now going on for nearly ten months now, with Russia attacking Ukraine, destroying infrastructure , killing innocent people in Ukraine mercilessly and forcing millions of citizens of Ukraine to run out of Ukraine as refugees.
It is a war taking place on Ukraine territory and not on the territory of Russia, obviously indicating that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is only a defender.
With USA and NATO countries supplying arms and ammunitions to Ukraine to defend itself and making no real efforts to end the war and Russia absolutely not concerned about the world opinion against it’s aggression and United Nations simply discussing and watching the scenario helplessly , it is obvious that the objective of world peace remains a far cry.
Certainly, year 2023 would continue to be war torn in one part of the world or the other.

Terrorist attacks:

Terrorist attacks are continuing to take place in different countries, almost every day due to one reason or the other.
Apart from terrorist attacks due to political reasons, what is known as Islamic terrorism is a grave concern , with people being killed by terrorists due to religious fanaticism. As yet, it appears that terrorists across the world continue to have a field day .

Slaughter of innocents:

The frequent shooting down of innocent people in public places in USA and other countries, for no apparent reason except due to blind hatred feeling of the shooter , only highlight the fact that violence is firmly rooted in the mindset of several individuals and there is no indication that such mindset would be reformed.

Atrocities against women:

While it is claimed that the world is forging ahead due to technological developments, such developments seem to have no impact in modernising the thoughts amongst certain religious heads and extremists in some countries.
The suppression of women and denial of rights of women, as a matter of policy, by governments in Iran and Afghanistan and a few other Islamic countries, clearly point to the fact that prejudice of men against women continue to prevail in some parts of the world.
While the atrocities against women and restrictions imposed on lives of women have shocked many people in the world, nothing could be done to stop such atrocities. The women in such countries continue to suffer, with people in other parts of the world watching the scenario like fence sitters.

Poverty issue:

Deep poverty continues to prevail in several African and Asian countries, with no hope that the conditions there would improve anytime soon.
Developed countries which are in much better position and have adequate resources , have not come forward to help the poor countries to overcome these poverty conditions in a significant way.
On the other hand, it is often alleged that advanced countries and multi national companies based in developed countries exploit these poor African nations by exploiting their vast mineral and natural resources .

Offenders go scot free:

There have been deep atrocities committed by one nation against another and offenders have not been taught a lesson.
An immediate example is the atrocities committed by China against Tibet , by forcibly occupying the defenceless land after killing the Tibetan protesters.
This indicates that “might is right” conditions have been prevailing in the world for several decades. There is no indication that these conditions will change in the foreseeable future.

Isolated group of good samaritans:

The fact is that there are still small and isolated group of people in the world , who want to promote compassion , peace and love but these groups are too few and far between and really have no significant impact on the world conditions.
There are great philosophers who try to explain the essence of life and the futility of war and hate feelings. But, their preachings also seem to be ending up as mere listening posts.
Is the world celebrating the new year in vacuum?
Now, what is the hope and where does the world go from here?
In such circumstances, pessimism of thoughts as it may look, the ground reality has to be seen and realised without wishful thinking that the year 2023 would be any better than the previous years.
With the thought process and mind set of people in the world not having changed over several decades and wars and conflicts and self centredness becoming part of the global events amongst countries and people , should we conclude that the wishes and greetings on the new year eve have no significance?
The preconditions for the wishes on the eve of year 2023 for peace and harmony to be realised is that the battle for the future has to be fought and won in the minds and hearts of the people. Will it happen in the year 2023?
---
*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

TRENDING

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.

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”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Big challenge for environment movement: How to link with justice, peace movements?

By Bharat Dogra  The biggest hope for resolving life-threatening environmental problems of our planet increasingly rests now not with the world-level political leadership, which has failed miserably in many critical contexts, but instead with those highly committed environmental activists who have many significant achievements to their credit despite working in the middle of many difficulties. Alas, even they too are often grim today instead of being enthused because of the rather overwhelming conditions of world which force environment protection to go two steps backward even when the activists and movements achieve the difficult task of moving one step ahead.

Worship practice of Hindu religion in official functions should be considered appropriate

By NS Venkataraman* The new Indian parliament building was inaugurated with much fanfare, pomp and show by Prime Minister Modi befitting the occasion. While the magnificent building with several technological features was built in just over two years , the style and structure of the building has been acclaimed by millions of people who saw the inaugural programme. Those who saw this programme in person or in visual media could not miss the fact that the installation of Sengol ( Sceptre) was the hall mark of this elegant programme . In India, historically, Sengol is considered to be the symbol of justice and good governance.