World Around Us: Some Reflections

ALOK K. SHRIVASTAVA

If you have the inclination, I have the time and ideas—soon after the memorable Navratras, Dasain and Babu Tika. On the last day, we burnt the effigy of Ravan. But how many of us try to get rid of the Ravan within us? Let us attempt to do so—for the good of our children, grandchildren, and above all, humanity.

Let us look around, speak out, talk about life, and attempt to share experiences. There is no harm in divulging something, smiling, and laughing until we cry. Hear the music from within—the birds chirping on trees, the rustling wind, and the laughter from the neighbourhood.

We still have time before our slow march toward the sunset years. The second innings of life are supposed to be more relaxing and creative. Let us not mess it up.

The world, from a distance, may look very green, full of air to breathe, and with a plethora of water to drink—but also somewhat populous and polluted. It may have prospects for a viable, if not lucrative, career. It may be prosperous and, at times, troublesome—if not outright challenging.

FANTASY AND REALITY

It is desirable to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. Fantasy may take you to heaven—or hell. But when it comes to brass tacks, one has to be careful and cautious. One must have worthwhile company, apart from neighbours and relatives, to keep oneself engaged, focused, and active. When the chips are down, our presence of mind and mental toughness come to the rescue.

Cute cutlery, cosy chairs, cool dwelling units, and a free flow of water—or ink from a pen—may not connive. They enable you to come out of a state of challenge into a state of solitude, which may not be permanent but can certainly help.

FIRES & FIRES, ALL OVER

Are we actually comfortable and happy when fires are raging—whether from volcanoes, once-lush green forests, or long-range missiles fired from Israeli territory at innocents in the Gaza Strip and other parts of West Asia?

GAZA STRIP

In the Gaza Strip, following the gory episode of October 7, 2023, in Israel, over 67,000 Palestinians have been killed. The entire area has been rendered unlivable. Twenty thousand innocent children suffer from malnutrition, and every three hours, a child dies. Women and children make up around half of the dead. These are not estimates but verified facts of wartime casualties, as per the UN and many independent experts.

International humanitarian aid exists only in name. Israeli sweeping operations in Gaza City continue to destroy residential units and compel thousands to flee. Exhausted and traumatized residents now look forward to a final deal between Hamas and Israel.

Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad have reportedly agreed to release 20 Israeli hostages and a few dead bodies in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinians from Israeli jails and 1,700 others detained by Israel. But “some conditions” may delay the process.

Even after a 20-Point Peace Plan proposed by President Trump—unfortunately supported by India and a few others—Israeli incursions continue without a break. The brutal sacrileges would have put even Adolf Hitler to shame.

GUN CULTURE OF THE US

It is rather easy to procure a gun in the USA. Walk across any mall and you can get one the same day—or after a few days. This infamous infatuation raises its ugly head time and again. Over the last three to four years, the maximum number of innocent citizens, including schoolchildren, have fallen prey to it.

A close Trump supporter was recently murdered in public, and many have died in Michigan and other areas. There were also two attempts on Trump when his campaign was at its peak in September–October 2024. Neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have spared a thought on it.

THERE ARE NO FULL STOPS IN INDIA

Fires also emanate regularly from insurgent and Naxalite hideouts, streets, or small towns of India—often out of sheer hatred between social groups and political outfits. They may not have well-thought-out goals, but they hit the road for no rhyme or reason to espouse their cause.

Widespread disturbances in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have become regular features. Tamil Nadu, in its worst stampede at Karur on 27 September, saw the death of 60 persons and injuries to an equal number. Film stars turned political aspirants, such as Vijay, never miss a chance to wash their hands when “Ganga is flowing.”

BABAS NEVER GIVE UP THEIR DHABAS

Sometimes it is Dhirendra Brahmachari or Chandraswami, Baba Ramdev, Asaram Bapu, or Baba Ram Rahim—followed religiously by Pandit Dhirendra Shastri, the young and handsome Baba of Bageshwar Dham, or the “Police Baba” of Hapur. At the other extreme, there is Jhingur Baba or the now fast-emerging Chaitanya Baba.

All try to influence and change public opinion. But deep inside, they too harbour extreme desires and a keen inclination to build followings abroad while erecting real estate empires at home—and owning villas in Dubai like 6,000 Indian billionaires. Thus, they survive and thrive.

These activities impede the expected growth of towns, states, and the nation. Who suffers, who benefits, who facilitates, and who makes political capital out of it?

MANIPUR BLOCKADE

Manipur has been facing a blockade since May 2023 due to perpetual clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo tribes. It has claimed over 300 lives, injured thousands, and displaced around 60,000 people. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and most weapons looted from police armouries remain unsurrendered, giving free rein to anti-social elements. Meiteis occupying the Imphal valley face perpetual threats from Kuki-Zo and Naga tribes inhabiting the nine surrounding hills.

The situation worsened after the Prime Minister’s three-hour visit on September 13, when inclement weather and poor law and order compelled him to undertake a 70 km road journey from Imphal to Churachandpur. Clashes have reportedly intensified. As money is no solution, neither the ?7,300 crore relief package nor promises to rebuild houses will make a difference in the immediate future.

VIOLENCE FOR STATEHOOD IN LADAKH

People of India’s youngest and most peaceful Union Territory—Ladakh—had tremendous expectations from the Central Government ever since Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated on August 5, 2019. But the process of transition got caught in bureaucratic wrangles, and some key issues were not given due importance.

Tensions have reportedly been brewing since 2007, when Sonam Wangchuk, Magsaysay Awardee and leader of the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL), faced the wrath of the MHA over foreign donations to his NGO. Later, the UT administration cancelled his 135-acre land lease on August 21, 2025.

To win public sympathy, Wangchuk has launched a movement demanding statehood, constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule, and a distinct tribal identity. Violence erupted on September 24, resulting in four deaths and over 50 injuries.

Since Wangchuk—having hundreds of patents to his name—is currently in judicial remand at Jodhpur, it would be advisable to await further developments.

SPECIAL INTENSIVE REVISION

After a justified hue and cry, and following a three-month SIR, the electoral roll of Bihar has come down from 7.89 crore to 7.42 crore voters—a 6% dip since June 2025. While 21.33 lakh voters have been added, 3.66 lakh have been deleted.

As learnt on 30 September, citizenship was barely a factor—contrary to earlier apprehensions. Regarding deletions, it is reassuring that 99% were due to deaths, permanent migration, and duplication.

The Supreme Court’s direction to the ECI to allow the Aadhaar card as one of 11 valid documents was crucial—it succeeded in containing the “superfast flow” of duplicate entries. West Bengal and Kerala have opposed it vehemently. As elections to the Assam Assembly are due soon, the Chief Minister of Assam has welcomed the move.

Meanwhile, the schedule of elections in Bihar has been announced. It will be a two-phase election on 6 and 11 November, with counting slated for 14 November.

WORLD SCENARIO

The full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for over three years, and several Middle Eastern countries are also under attack. By whom?

The prime perpetrator is Netanyahu-led Israel, fully supported by Donald Trump’s USA. It is also a proxy war between two superpowers.

CHINA

China, in the company of Russia and its fair-weather friends, never misses an opportunity. Whether in BRICS or SCO, its challenge to the hegemony of the USA and its all-pervading dollar—by pushing for multilateralism after the Tianjin Summit—was inevitable.

Let us also note the regime changes in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, and the frequent marches against the Pakistan government by the Awami Action Committee in PoK and the BLA in Balochistan.

Quick changes of Prime Ministers in Italy, France, and Japan, and the further strengthening of army rule in Myanmar, also send disturbing signals.

A democratically elected government in Bangladesh was ousted on August 4, 2024. Hindu Bengalis became prime targets. The long-promised elections, under the leadership of an 85-year-old “Senior Advisor,” now seem a distant possibility.

As if that were not enough, on September 7, protests by youth and students against the banning of 26 social media platforms, rampant corruption, and political instability led to the overthrow of the Oli government in Nepal. The swift turn of events resulted in 30 deaths and over 300 injuries.

The army’s role was decisive in both cases. While in Bangladesh they watched from a distance as Mohammad Yunus took over, in Nepal they ruthlessly fired upon protesting youth. Complete lack of empathy and responsibility was evident initially.

One should not expect much from Interim Prime Minister Justice (Retd.) Sushila Karki. She may have been the first woman Chief Justice of Nepal, but politics is not everyone’s cup of tea.

CONDITION OF BRAZIL

Away from Asia, Jair Bolsonaro, former Brazilian President, has been arrested and sentenced to 27 years in prison, despite managing support from the U.S. President. Earlier, Dilma Rousseff, Bolsonaro’s predecessor, was impeached for corruption in 2016. With such a background, and a meek current President, L. T. Lula da Silva, how does Brazil propose to lead BRICS amid an acute five-year economic crisis?

Australia and New Zealand, as of now, have low-profile heads of state—from whom practically nothing is expected, QUAD or no QUAD. The new Canadian Prime Minister is proceeding cautiously, unlike his controversial predecessor. After all, he must contend with his powerful neighbour over high tariffs and other trade manifestations.

WAR-LIKE SITUATIONS TO BRASS TACKS OF FAMILY

Life expectancy in India has risen from a mere 31 years in 1937 to 71 today. But unlike our parents and grandparents, we are missing the state of near-normal health. The world is also drifting away from the time-tested joint family system. The move toward nuclear setups is fading fast, driven by our craving for higher positions.

In many places, live-in relationships have become a reality—an evil that may stay and further damage our well-knit social fabric. Even the High Courts and the Supreme Court show interest in the fast disposal of such cases.

During stressful situations—self-created or environmental—we either counsel each other or turn to relatives and well-wishers. Many also rush to psychiatrists for a quick remedy.

The joint family has turned into a lender of last resort. Accessing it during a childbirth, mundan, yagopavit, wedding, or death may not only offer solutions but also strengthen its continuity—decisive in the Indian context.

Lessons from a father’s scolding or a mother’s comforting hug cannot be ignored.

Unfortunately, in government-run or public schools, if a teacher scolds pupils for their good, parents and so-called NGOs raise a hue and cry. As a result, the growing child gets further pampered and is more likely to fall into the wrong peer group.

SUMMING UP

Who will limit, who will impede, who will cap?
That’s the burning question.

Our judges and civil servants are also products of the same society in which change is needed—not transformation per se.

Generations come and go, but the ills of the system perpetuate. A time comes when we are compelled to compromise with the very norms that once needed modification.