Happy New Year!

There is always hope

The year is turning, and I believe there is always hope. There is always hope for a better future; for humanity; for the planet and, for our souls. Over the last year, we’ve lost loved ones and have gone through our own bit of turmoil. I cannot speak for countries outside my own, but we have been through a difficult year, and it is not getting better.

So, what went wrong? It’s easy enough to lay all the blame at the feet of one little virus, with all its mutations. But that will be grossly unfair.

The Seeds of Discontent

India’s GDP was growing slowly before the outbreak of Covid-19, and many experts referred to this as the miraculous ‘jobless growth’. When we were locked down in March 2020 (it seems so very long ago), all of us saw the awful sight of migrant workers who had to walk hundreds of kilometers to get home. Along the way, policemen abused them. It was sickening.

As in many countries, inequality grew, and the seeds of discontent sprouted, bringing forth plants that grew strong.

Our Prime Minister retreated into his palace, grew his beard, and fed peacocks.

Then, in March & April of this year, a deadly second wave gripped India. The government served the sedition act on those who exposed the government’s awful planning and cynicism.

While all this was happening, the Chinese began their hostilities along our border. When our Prime Minister claimed that no one had come, the Chinese quietly claimed a few thousand square kilometers of Indian territory as their own. Today, as I write, they are busy redrawing the map of China, to claim one of our North-Eastern states.

State elections will take place in the next two months, and while the government sows the seeds of discontent, right-wing groups are openly calling for Muslim genocide.

Yet, there is hope, and it is vital we cling to hope, and positivity if we are to march forward to 2022 with our backs straight, and spirit strong.

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The Seeds of Hope

The seeds of may yet be sown, and the seeds of discontent may yet wither and die away. This is my conviction.

As I write this post, I am sure that many of you have experienced a difficult time. I doubt that there is one of you who has passed through these last few years unscathed.

Yet, we are alive, and if we strengthen the foundation of humanity, there is always hope.

There is always hope, and in this spirit, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year. I wish all of you and your families good cheer, good health, and good spirit.

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