What we learnt from Ukraine

 

1) The United Nations is an useless organization

The UN can only bully small nations with its money and peace keeping forces, it is but a tool of the 5 permanent members of the security council. If the other countries want any say in world politics they should get together and form their own organization where all nations are equal.

2) Countries do what they want

Countries such as USA, China, Russia do what ever they want without any ramifications. Attack Iraq for non existent weapons, no problem, annex Crimea no problem, genocide in Xinjiang absolutely no problem. They are not the leaders the world can depend on, they will always do what is in their best interests, take along countries that are in their best interests and ditch those they that are not.

3) Never give up your weapons, and of course get your own nuclear weapons.

You think Russia would have attacked Ukraine if Ukraine had held on to its nuclear weapons? I am sure Ukraine got something when it gave up its nuclear arsenal, but in the long run that turned out to be a colossal mistake. This is a lesson for every country like North Korea and Iran. Get your nuclear weapons, get them now, you will get your respect.

4) Assurances / Treaties mean nothing

Ukraine signed the The Budapest Memorandum with Russia and USA, assuring them security, non aggression and a promise of help. Absolutely nothing has come off it, Russia actually attacked Ukraine and the best the USA has done is slap a few banks and rich Russians on the wrist. I guess no treaty is safe.

5) Cyber warfare is a valid response.

The internet is truly a level playing field, even a small country can hold a big country ransom if it can figure out a way to cripple that country, hack into its electrical grid, delete its financial data, shut down its airports, stop its traffic, anything that depends on connectivity. Every country, even if it doesn't spend on defence should spend on a cyber army to attack and defend itself. It is cheap it is effective and it is devastating.

6) Do not expect help

Every country needs to understand that when push comes to shove, they will be alone, they will have to fight for themselves. Every other country will prioritise its economy, soldiers and priorities over anything else. There will be talk before an after, but during the crisis prepare to stand alone.

The Hijab Debate

 Right Raja

First off, religion has no place in schools and colleges, kids go there to learn not to practice their faith. Moreover this hijab is a regressive concept, why should girls cover their faces, we live in an age where women are CEO's and Prime-ministers, serve in the army and play football, do pretty much what they want to do, unshackled by the tenets of any religion or rules made by a patriarchal society. In a way its the duty of society to protect women being held back by ancient orthodox norms. It starts with the hijab, then burqa then triple talaq, women shall not be slaves.

Left Rani

This is an attack of religious freedom, an attack on a minority community and its traditions. They are targeting girls who are aspiring an eduction. This should be seen in the overall context of cow slaughter bans, beef attacks and conversion controversies, this is a pogrom. The same individuals are silent about Sikh turbans, hindu girls wearing bindi and christians wearing crosses. Next what, people should not wear jeans, skirts, t-shirts. In the words of Martin Niemöller, who will be left to fight when they come for the next thing these facists don't like.

Mantri's counter to Raja

Raja, just think about wearing shoes to work, it's hot in India, sandals are preferable, but, if I decree that you cannot wear shoes to work, your first reaction will be, it's my wish, I will wear it if I want to, who are you to tell me. Isn't this the same thing with the girls and hijab. Yes it is a regressive concept, but how do you fight a regressive concept, by banning it, or by having an open discussion, by educating people. How is what you are doing different from the same patriarchal society you condemn.

Mantri's counter to Rani

Well, Rani, you step back and think what you supporting in the name of freedom, whose freedom are you supporting, the religions fanatics decreeing that women should not show their neck, or the girls on whom the hijab was imposed without their opinion considered. Yesterday you were talking about equality and today you are supporting the opposite. Do you really support men who say that a woman has to cover herself to protect from a man's wandering eyes? Did you ask the girls what they actually want? Shouldn't you consider what is being opposed versus who is opposing it.

My verdict

Well I think, everybody should just back off, politicians, shut up, religious leaders shut up. Most important, parents, stop imposing your religion on your kids. Let them decide what they want. They want a hijab, let them wear it, no, let them take it off, same with turbans, bindis and horcruxes. I would agree with keeping religion out of schools, let kids keep to a common uniform, after 16, let them decide what they want to do, on their own, without society dictating either way. For now, promote discussion over theatrics, let sanity prevail.