NARA'S NOTEPAD

2020 – GOOD or BAD?

On the eve of the New Year – 2020, we all wished everyone – friends and family members for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. It is the usual gesture on the part of every one in the world. Every human being likes to see the others happy. It’s the basic built-in nature. But wishing is one and what happens is not in our hand.

Since the start of 2020, we hear all kinds of bad news from all over the world including India. Globally, Iran’s Army Chief was killed by the US, plane crash in Iran, missile attack by Iran on US military bases in Iraq, Australian bushfire, Philippines volcano – are some of the unfortunate bad things happened abroad. In India, protest marches everywhere, JNU violence and vandalism, soaring of oil prices due to Iran crisis, Bharat bandh by trade unions, and factory fires in Delhi and Mumbai are some of the bad things happened.

The Army Chief of Iran, Qassem Soleimani was assassinated by the US drones in Iran itself. It was a great shock for Iran government and its’ people. Protest by Iranians against the US was held in Tehran, the capital of Iran. By the time the government of Iran attacked the US military bases in Iraq. Donald Trump, President of the US announced that there was no loss of life to the American forces. The tension mounted. Some media predicted next World War too. At the same time there was a Ukranian airliner crashed after takeoff from Tehran airport. The airline was bound to Kyiv, Ukraine. It was announced that the crash was due to technical problem. All the 170 people on board died. The next day the President of the US stated that Iran shot down the airliner. Later on Iran agreed and confirmed that it mistakenly shot down the aircraft. What a tragedy! The people of Iran protested to arrest those who were responsible for the plane crash. The government of Iran arrested some people. No news afterwards! Due to all these developments in Iran, the oil prices shot up even in India. It was expected to create a problem in world economy.

The Bushfires in Australia made big news all over the world. The summer temperature coupled with the climate change effects created a big blow to the government of Australia. It was reported about 5 million hectares were burnt by the bushfire in spite of the good work of fire fighters. Nearly 1600 households were affected by the fire. Moreover 800 million animals died due to the bushfires. On 13 January 2020 the eruption of a volcano in Philippines terrified the people of that area. It appears 300,000 people were evacuated to safer places. Imagine the fate of those people! In Turkey also there was earthquake and people are being evacuated to safer places.

Another important disaster happened in Wuhan of China. The Coronavirus a virulent contagious one spreads among the humans of Wuhan and the people who were celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year faced this dangerous disease. Many people were succumbed to this virus and many more are carrying it. All over the world governments and people are cautioned to be careful of this coronavirus. Measures are being taken by the Chinese government and also many other adjoining countries.

In India, protest marches against the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act are being held by the people of many states. The opposition political parties were also taking part in these protests. In New Delhi, in Jawaharlal Nehru University, popularly known as JNU, a well known educational institution, there were violence and vandalism among students of different political background. The injured students were admitted in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. It all started from the winter registration. JNU students had a problem of increase in hostel fees by the administration. They wanted the fees to be reduced to the old rate. The Vice-Chancellor a nano-technology specialist educated from IIT, Chennai was not able to efficiently handle the situation. The rift between the JNU students union President and the police forces added more complications to the issue. There were investigations by the police, University administration, political parties and the media. Some students wanted to remove the vice-chancellor. Supporting the students of JNU, Aligarh Muslim University, Jadhavpur University in Kokatta many other institutions all over the country protested. Campus violence led to disturbances in educational schedules.

The trade unions conducted Bharat Bhandh disturbing the normal life of people. The financial loss due the bundh was running into millions of rupees. It added to the already existing economic problems. So in the nation-wide happenings millions of people would have suffered in the first month of 2020...all our best wishes for the New Year did not bear fruits.

Above all, one of my dear friends Dr. P. Kandasamy, former Professor of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemicals expired on 17 January 2020. My brother’s wife also expired on 30 January 2020. How can I say 2020 is good? Let us see what is stored for us in the coming months in 2020. Hope for the best. - NARA