Man was born free but due to his Greed not Need, he/she often crosses limits, boundaries,time tested customs,traditions,mores, folkways,rules & regulations. A time comes when a faith or value system may assimilate, if not integrate or unite . But varying circumstances over a period of time also lead to disagreements,dissentions and diversions resulting into suspicions and quiet jealousies. A time comes when negativity begins overtaking positivity and there is no ground or scope left for morality, ethics and rationality.
Geopolitics Dominant Theme
2) In good old days,Geo Politics would be the determining factor when it came to societies or Zamindaris and later Principalities.Somehow,
individuals began feeling and believing that they needed additionalities to take care of their lust or unjustified and ineffective desires,NOT luxuries or necessities,per se.
We tend to have differences within, then we begin creating the same among the neighbours,followed by latent and manifest interventions.May be, Guerilla wars, occasional skirmishes, short period battles and ultimately, open and full fledged wars.
Post Industrial Revolution Era
3) In the beginning of twentieth century, “birds of same feather started flocking together”.Some were having leadership qualities,others would follow either in the name of religion, ethnicity or even proximity.One block of loose nationalities began pitted against similar such groups.
Gradual developments in Culture,Religion and Science subsequent to long years of industrial revolution and simultaneous suppression of labour, also aided and abated the feelings of dislike and hatred.Man began not only showing or expressing extra territorial interests but these would be pursued for months and years.
World War Period
4) World War I from 1914 to 1918 demolished Notions and Nations,devastated people and places and made millions hopeless and homeless. Apart from infamous Spanish Flue for two years, it ĺed to more unlimited demands as against limited or restricted supplies.
As if this was not enough,some tensions,some simmering discontents could not possibly be resolved.These lingered on for no apparent rhyme and reason and soon ,from September 1939 to September 1944, World War II came knocking.
No one can afford to forget Reign of Terror unleashed by Adolf Hitler on the one hand and dropping of Atom Bombs over meek and helpless populace of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,on the other.
Many countries,such as,India which were subservient, were compelled to side with their ,the then masters and rulers.Thus a good deal of manpower and resources had to be diverted, exploited and sacrificed.
LON & UNO
5) Though short-lived League of Nations and very soon, thereafter, UNO took birth but complete dominance “of a few” over the world majority got reflected in session after session.Veto power to” famous five” made all the difference.USA emerged as a leading power by outsmarting Great Britain and is reported to have made 73 direct or indirect interventions in the post-2nd World War period.
Cold War & de tant
6) The relatively peaceful era was followed by Cold War period, when countries would differ,speak,come together for a while, to go astray again.But war in real sense appeared a distant possibility.An era of cold war between old opponents ,padded by fresh alignments and realignments,therefore, became the order of the day.
With the passage of time, the world living and relationship scenario took the shape of a “de tant”or a saga, if not Era of relaxation of strained relations.
Further developments in science and technology began favorably responding to change if not transition in perceptions concering education and vocations,succeeded by fresh frontiers of neo education. An education pattern that would not only feed the mind but also the belly,as a matter of immediate necessity.
Means of Communication: Rapid Strides
7) A time came when need for fresh alignments without moving closer to each other, began being felt.Separatist tendencies were destined to be buried. Telephones,Radios and Transistors entered the scene but no sooner than later, T.V. too arrived,as man was not merely satisfied with listening, he was tempted to see . Perhaps to have a Better Feel.
Side by side, new forms of wireless systems, telephones,portable or cordless,hit the earth.By 1970’s, Internet arrived in full force and by 1990’s mobile phone network not only began expanding but these hand held tiny machines ensured more actual as also at times, unwanted volume in terms of messages and conversations.Things became loud and clear but by and large, people began taking recourse to blatant lies also.Web cameras,social media sites,as also Whatsapp kind further changed if not revolutionized the nuts & bolts of human interaction. Soon, rapid spread of Corona virus led to less physical or face to face interface and thus, reality began becoming ” virtual” in a new “normal “era.
8) Reverting to the theme,from Geo politics,we seem to have got into a phase of Geo Economics.Already divided World was further sub divided and began facing fresh challenges of separatism ,unification and reunification, more so,in Europe.The new and decisive era of Global Village not only came but it was there to stay. I.T.,Internet and multitude of several other devices spread their tentacles and mankind began feeling a justified or loose notions towards coming together of nations.
Uncalled For Interventions
7)Vietnam,Afghanistan,Iraq,meddling in Libya and Afghanistan again, showed nothing but shameless and naked dance of Neo-imperialism,as compared to erstwhile Colonial Rule by the British.What ultimately happened vis a vis what was planned, is Now very well known to the thinking and rational human beings.
Afghan Situation
8) Terrorism continues to be in the forefront even after 24 days of ” CHANGE” with seventeen of wanted world level terrorists figuring prominently in the thirty four member, just announced structure of soon to take over Government of “Emirate of Afghanistan”.
Dominion Status
9) While Canada,Australia and non descript entities,such as, Falklands are still ruled from Buckingham Palace, notable places like,Honkong had to be returned to “original owner” ,China,leading to tense situations,protests,occasional outbursts,so on and so forth.
In the post Wuhan era,this liberated and restored piece of highly prosperous business hub, having a key location, continues to play a “leading” role.
10) Earlier entry & exodus of USSR into and from Afghanistan ,followed by two decade long occupation by the US led Western forces, goes on to reflect that GeoEconomics too cannot succeed on its own.Same has to be given tonic from time to time in the form of Back Track and sometimes Loud and Clear Diplomacy.One may indulge in GeoEconomics but only by giving due credence to the Geo political constraints.
No wonder,A.B.Vajpayee,the great parliamentarian,poet and unassuming Prime Minister of India is reported to have said
“You can change your friends but not neighbours”.
They exist, are destined to exist,side by side,if not necessarily bound by the feeling and spirit of togetherness.
Revival of QUAD
11) While fresh diplomatic moves,such as, revival of QUAD spirit by the USA seems to have got a certain nod from Japan,Australia,France and India in the name of “maritime interests” in the Indian and possibly Pacific Ocean zones, actual motive appears to check further dominance of China in the South China Sea region and in the ultimate analysis,China is not only to be “encircled”,but to be kept on its tenterhooks.
Crucial Role of ISRAEL
12) Israel, with the background of its internecine issues with the Palestinians also appears to be changing a bit after its well established supremacy in Science & Technology, Land management,manufacture of arms & ammunitions, including the fast emerging Drones, Not only traditional & known hatred against the Arab World in general and Palestine in particular is showing some positive overtones,if not an urge for a change,but she has also gone to the extent of approaching and establishing diplomatic relations with confirmed and prosperous Muslim powers ,such as, Morocco and the UAE.Both initiatives were brokered by USA,their permanent mentor and guide. No wonder, recently held meeting between the Palestine President and Israeli Foreign Minister even after resumption of hostilities in West Bank and Gaza Strip assumes significance if not a departure.It happened soon after the new Israeli P.M.’s visit to the USA and requisite advice rendered ,presumably ,therefrom.
In the light of this,eagerness,followed by actual dialogue process between the Taliban and India at Doha should not be seen from the angle of suspicion.
Open or back door DIPLOMATIC SHOWS GO ON,THEY MUST GO ON.
13) Prior to leaving the “mouse,” one is tempted to say: “CHANGING REALITIES ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE WAY TO CHANGING EQUATIONS IN WORLD LIVING AND POLITICS.”
Mankind has to remain on Earth, unless actualisation of Moon or Mars Mission happens.
But there is no Guarantee, whatsoever, of Peace and Amity,therein also,due to omnipresent dominance of Greed over Need.
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
