Editor,
The actions of Mr. Putin and his armed forces in Ukraine are unconscionable. Russian armed forces have killed Ukrainian civilians, including children and the elderly. They have used Ukrainian children as human shields. Hopefully Mr. Putin will face the fullest prosecution for crimes against humanity.
As a superpower America has committed a lot more violence all over the world. China (PRC) has committed far worse human rights abuses in Tibet. Thus both America and PRC have long forfeited the moral authority to rebuke an invader like Mr. Putin.
But that said, Indian analyses of this tragedy are skewed too much towards Russia. Whatever the west’s past sins may have been, to blame the west, especially NATO for inching too close to Russia is to exonerate Mr Putin of all blame. NATO’s eastward expansion has been democratic (not coercive). But more importantly, no matter what the provocations be, nothing — absolutely nothing — excuses the unspeakable violence of Mr. Putin and his armed forces against innocent Ukrainians. To be so provoked, just by NATO’s democratic expansion, as to start a hi-tech war, reveals the paranoid state of Mr. Putin’s mind. India has long been provoked by both Pakistan and China, who are always nibbling at her geographic territory. But India has not launched a hi-tech war against either nation. Nor has India threatened nuclear violence.
It is therefore all the more sad to see India on the wrong side of history in this instance. Human rights violations are a travesty of our shared humanity, no matter where this is happening — whether in Ukraine, Syria (where Mr. Putin honed his butchering skills), or in Yemen. In this context, it is well worth remembering America’s great generosity towards Ukraine, even though America and Europe have their hands tied by Mr. Putin’s nuclear threats. To sit on the fence at a time like this, as India has, is sad. Also sad are anti-colonial grudges so great that Europe’s former colonies in Asia and Africa cannot bring themselves to condemn madman Putin’s unspeakable violence.
Whatever the broad precipitating causes of this barbaric war be, if we are to acknowledge free-will, then the blood-stained hand that has pulled the trigger to this war is Mr. Putin’s — nobody else’s. It does not help to sugar-coat this truth. Yes, Russia has long been a “friend” of India. But when a friend turns evil, a true friend either takes him to task. or leaves him — regardless of consequences.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Kudos to Meghalaya High Court
Editor,
The crackdown on senseless quarrying and mining is a bold step by the Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation and the administrative departments. The credit directly goes to the media and honourable High Court which has timely pressed the alarm bell. I also can’t agree more with what senior journalist, Patricia Mukhim writes in her recent article suggesting that the present Chief Justice is a blessing to Meghalaya, “Meghalaya High Court to rescue of despairing citizens” (ST 8 April, 2022). Many other concerned citizens now pin their sincere hopes that the shadow of a righteous court will continue to keep other authorities on their toes.
Frankly speaking, the proactive role of the court was long overdue in the state. The past four years saw many tragedies due to hazardous coal mining and quarrying Yes, we have already done irreparable harm to the environment in pursuit of our wrong ambitions. Development and material gain by hurting the ecology is sheer stupidity. Over-fascination for urbanization and consumerism will only turn mother earth pale. A constructive media and the unflinching stand of the court is definitely a ray of hope to help heal mother earth.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
On meeting Azharuddin
Editor,
Growing up in India in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s Azharuddin was one of my cricketing heroes. And like any other fan, my biggest dream was to meet my idol a dream that became a reality on April 9, 2022, when the former Indian cricket captain was in Shillong to attend the finals of Senior Men’s Challenger Cricket Cup 2022. The famed writer Paulo Coelho was bang on when he wrote: “When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”
As I was waiting anxiously at the entrance of the stadium along with dozens of members of MCA and along with kids of the cricket academy to welcome him and upon arrival Azharuddin with that popped collar, received a rousing welcome and sensing an opportunity, I cried out excited: “Azhar Bhai !”. The Maestro spotted me in the crowd, smiled and I got a chance to shake hands with him. Wow! That left me delirious and excited. I must say he still wore that look confident enough to destroy the opposition bowling. He stood as one of the flickering architects in building up India as a stern cricketing nation. He made his entry to international cricket with a bang. He struck the record of scoring 3 back to back centuries in his first 3 test matches back in 1984-85. against England. No other player till date has been able to match his wrist-work while playing strokes. Hope to see the legend again someday.
Yours etc.,
Advocate M Haque,
Shillong -6