It was a rare coincidence. 31st December was a weekend, month end and year end as well. As mesmerising visuals appeared over New Zealand sky, followed by that of Australia, people of the world forgot miseries of war in Ukraine, deteriorating plight of Covid 19 patients in China, struggling women in Afghanistan and assertion of rights by brave women warriors in Iran. After a gap of two years, a feeling of joy and elation had set in at last. Such a change was very much called for.
2) In our country too we followed the rest of world and for a few hours tried to forget Covid restrictions and struggles of day to day life.
All of us have got used to celebrating new year on 1st January by forgetting or ignoring our own new year, whenever they begin as per different calendars. As long as spirit and extent of celebration is civilised and within limits, that should satisfy and bring sanity.
3) On such occasions it is but customary to look backwards and attempt new resolutions for self ,family and may be, society at large for days to follow.
On the whole, last year was not congenial from human rights and climate challenge point of view. While people of Ukraine are still experiencing the worst possible suffering and treatment, women in Iran and Afghanistan have to face fresh threats to their basic rights. Denial of electricity, water, gas and many other essential commodities and facilities in Ukraine being extremely unfair ,has to be condemned in strongest possible words.Concerned warring countries are not willing to have a truce even after 100,000 casualties on each side. Horrors of war have shaken Europe and whole world. Peace is being sought in a piece meal manner. Very unfortunate indeed.
Climate Change Threats
4) On climate front not only the planet heated up more from beginning to end of the year, either it was too hot, too wet or too cold. Volcanoes erupted in many places, landslides, floods, earthquakes, forest fires, snow storms took place on an unprecedented scale in USA,Japan and Europe. Ice bergs too continued to melt in Antarctica.
Women Issues Are Vital
5) Rulers in two Islamic countries forget on such occasions that without women further growth and upkeep of humanity is not at all possible. Why only Iran and Afghanistan ,women have to struggle it out in many advanced and secular countries also. Instances keep cropping up from time to time.
Covid May Worry Again
6) While Kabul has been hit by an explosion on new year day killing eight persons, Covid-19 situation in China remains shrouded in mystery. In addition to six to eight countries,U.K.,Morocco, Canada and Australia have also resorted to taking precautionary measures .China is neither sharing data nor divulging vital details to WHO even when hospitals have patients beyond their capacity , shortage of vaccine and medicines have been reported everywhere and crematorium are totally packed.
7) BRAZIL saw change in leadership when Lula Da Silva defeated J.Bolsonaro. He is going to take over as President for the third time. But Brazilians could not celebrate much as Pele, their all time greatest ever football player who dominated world football for two decades and was instrumental in three world cup football crowns for his country, died at the age of 82. It was a true rags to riches story.
Leadership Changes World Over
8) Queen Elizabeth of England who reigned for over 70 years, expired in 2022 at a time when Britain saw three Prime Ministers in less than five months. On the other hand, Emmanuel Macron retained his Presidency in France. Israel too saw return of B. Netanyahu as Prime Minister yet again. In Italy ,a dashing woman Giorgia Meloni became first far right P.M. since World War II.
Changes At Top In India
9) India too got a new President in Draupadi Murmu while Jagdeep Dhanker occupied the position of the Vice President. Choice of a person from either North or South was not made, rather a person each from East and West India was considered more suitable.
While President Xi Jinping secured third five year term in China ,TAIWAN continued to be in news for the support it got from USA and some others against the regular threats from the largest Navy of World led by China which encircles the tiny nation.
International Fora
10) International organisations like G-8, G-20, NATO, ASEAN, E.U.etc continued to make news but UNO once again proved a failure with regard to Covid as also further aggression in Ukraine. Defence product industries of USA are sure to make sizeable profits,ironically.
India assuming leadership of G-20 is a matter of both pride and recognition. How much we gain from it in a short time of one year, however, remains to he seen.
11) Terrorism continued to flourish, thanks to state patronage in more than one country. Similarly acts of unwanted intrusions into Indian territory by Pakistan and China continued. It was sad to note that Pakistam managed to come out of Grey List of FATF despite its patronage and support given to Talibans and militants in J & K.
Dismal Art & Culture Scenario
12) The world in general and India in particular ,however, saw hardly any improvement in world of art & culture. Lata Mangeshkar, reigning queen of Hindi songs died at the age of 92 years.Her loss is unbelievable and irreparable. She left a void that can never be filled. Only Asha Bhonsle survives now from the golden era of Hindi singing industry.
Cinema houses lost their glory and box office earnings and many talented actors, musicians and technicians had to run from pillar to post during 2022.
Growth & setbacks to Economy
13)India with 6.5 % growth rate and 5% inflation performed reasonably well to become fifth biggest economy of the world as compared to many Covid devastated economies, including China.
Unemployment of casual and daily wage labourers ,however, continued to cause concern. Government may be justified in extending the benefit of free rations again to the identified group of labourers upto end of 2023 but as a matter of policy it may boomerang in the long run.Freebie culture must end.
Tussle At Top
14) Tussle between Judiciary and Executive on the one hand and between Judiciary and legislature was seen throughout 2022 over the issue of Collegium as also for filling up vacancies in the Courts and several tribunals. Probably stand of the Supreme Court was weakened a bit as it got three CJI’s in three months. Pendency of cases received some attention for some time but still there are over five crore cases pending in various courts. Practice of priority to high profile cases in the past needs to be ignored in the new year so that justice is ensured to actual needy persons.
Political Domain
15) If one looks at the performance of political parties in various state assembly polls, ruling party continued to have its hold with setbacks in H.P. and Bihar. In south India regional parties except Karnataka, continued to further consolidate their rank and file. One hopes that regional and communal feelings donot come in the way of nation building. Hope better sense prevails during Assembly polls to seven states in 2023.
Parliament continued to be either disturbed or number of days of sittings of various sessions had to be cut short .Imagine the setback to electorate from their elected representatives. Most of the bills were passed hurriedly by ignoring the necessity of detailed discussion on them in public interest.
16) Issue of Reservation, instead of getting ignored received further boost in view of confirmation of announcement of 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections. In UP further, OBC factor again cropped up when elections to Urban bodies were to be notified. Issue of a caste based Census has again gathered momentum.
Sports Arena
17) In the year of FIFA crown held by Argentina, overall performance of Indian sportspersons was more than praiseworthy. They excelled in Olympics, Para Olympics, Commonwealth, Thomas Cup, to name a few. Indian male cricketers did not win any world championships but finished second in Test ranking and were semi – finalists in T-20 World cup.Women cricketers won world championship and left an imprint on international scene. Decision to pay them amounts equal to men is an encouraging decision.One wishes that same is considered also for other games.
Conclusion
18) All said and done, year that has elapsed, had mixed experiences for the common man. Crime situation in the country deteriorated further with adoption of new modes by the criminals. Several innocents were crushed to death even on new year day. Rise in the number of women criminals is bound to pose fresh challenges. Live in Relationships and same sex unions if not marriages too increased in number and posed threats to the well established and tried institutions of marriage and family. Reduction of importance attached to caste for choosing a life partner, however, was a good development . At the same time, aspiration on the part of young couples to own expensive automobiles and flats sooner than expected is bound to be serious issue especially when so many scrupulous elements are over active to exploit sentiments.
Let us hope that good sense prevails during new year and in view of good and bad experiences of 2022, we are able to experience better images in 2023. Social media is bound to rise further. It should continue to create awareness and bring amity and brotherhood.
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.
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