The end of the Gregorian calendar year 2017, most likely, will usher in a new period. The past year was a year of gloom, both nationally and internationally. The success in installing himself as President of the United States of America gave total legitimacy to Mr Donald Trump. Although many Americans as well as a lot of people outside that country think Trump is unreliable in matters concerning the well-being of the average world citizen, it is obvious the systems in the US of A are far stronger than in most other countries. While his utterances may sound wayward, Trump has not, as yet, been able to do anything whatsoever that could disturb the balance of the world economy or peace in a noticeable manner.
Sadly, the systems in our country have all faltered and broken down on their own volition. While the Indian economy went into a tizzy this past year, the evil narratives designed to distract and deflect people’s attention from their own problems did initially succeed quite a bit. Social issues, that had been relegated to the background by the Indian society, suddenly were in the limelight. All for the wrong reasons. Language, food habits, religious beliefs and customs including music and arts have all been unnecessarily shaken. Doubts were sown deep to create a fear of one another. A sub nation had been sought to be created wherein the mindset of intolerance was hoped to rule the roost. All are not in the past tense yet. The Financial Resolution and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill 2017, most probably planned to be tabled in Parliament in the coming Budget session, will have the powers to lock in your personal savings lying in banks. The passing of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2017 last Friday, 29 December 2017 was an ominous beginning towards that goal.
And for what reasons does the Union government want to penalise the innocent citizens by enacting these kinds of terrible laws? Well, your hard earned money will be used to ‘bail-in’ the banks that are in the red because some arrogant thief operating a huge corporate has decided to throw up his hands and claim that neither he nor his business is capable of paying back the loans! Who suffers? Obviously you, the dumb depositor. It is your money that will be used to fill up the gaps created by those billions of rupees worth of non performing assets (NPAs). Their assets created with your money.
On another thought, today Hindoos in India are happy that the Triple Talaq bill getting passed in Lok Sabha will put pressure on the Moslems of this country. Many amongst us feel glad the federal government will have a say in the personal lives of each Moslem family. Very happy indeed. Today it is ‘them’. Far removed from us. Tomorrow, it might be a law against another small sect. Take for example the Sikhs. Or the Jains. Day after, it might be against those who do not speak Hindi fluently, like Tamils. Or Malayalees. Or even Oriyas.
I am aware this might sound far-fetched and ridiculous to many today. But history teaches us very similar circumstances have been created in other parts of the world. We humans never feel bothered when others suffer. This we do little realising that unless we protest against what injustice is being meted out to others today itself, that same injustice will befall upon us tomorrow.
The average Indian, as was evident from major events towards the end of 2017, is aware and conscious of the Evil developing within us. The Indian, rich or poor, values freedom like no other race. We are not made out to be bullied. We have never waged war against any other country. We may love peace but we also like that no external force gets into our hair.
2018 seems to have gleams of brightness and hope in that correct direction.
