Ramblings

Got up on this Sunday morning and instantly switched on BBC to check whats going on in the world. Yes, i still prefer TV to Internet for this. Anyways, what was on was a program called 'Hunting Hezbollah'. Since, my knowledge about this particular topic and that region overall is quite restricted i kinda decided to watch the program and postpone the morning rituals.

As an Indian, i am a Israel supporter as Israel and India have always been allies when it came to Military power and counter terrorism activities. I have always heard that Israel is so strong/powerful/cool that it is surrounded by Islamic countries yet is it managing to hold its fort. For such a long time.

I discovered the contradictory part of it some months back when i was talking to a lebanese girl (AIESEC member) in Brussels while on an apartment hunting spree. I dont know why but i asked her the question about her thoughts on Israel and Lebanon conflict. I should have guessed the answer even before asking it. If anyone would ask me on India and Pakistan conflict, what would i say.

Another time some weeks ago, (again on a sunday morning) me and Katya got into the discussion of Middle East as she had recently visited Armenia and shared space and time with people from Iran. Some of her questions to me, challenged my views on the region again. And some of them actually brought me to the same conclusion as the conclusion of the program today.

There were a lot of contradicting points in the program regarding the Lebanese goverment, Hezbollah as the single largest party, Guerrilas of Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, the UN peace keeping force and then of course Israel and the US. As all of these war driven program, this one also showed how civilians had died in the recent fighting. It also showed a Hezbollah leader claiming that the preparation for the next war is on in full swing.

The person who was taking the journalist around Lebanon asked a few interesting questions to the journalist, specially "If US supports Israel by giving 10 billion dollars every year, why cant Iran support us?", "If you are not with us, you are against us, is this policy of US fair?"
The journalist didnt have answers to these questions. I dont either. And i am not searching for it. I still dont know too much about the region or about the problem at hand. My only concern is, why does the discussion always stop on USA. Or why there are unanswered questions on US.


Later, went online to IBNLive to check on whats happening in India and found out a series on the 10 moments in the last 60 years which shaped today's India.

1. Gandhi's assasination
2. The making of the Indian Constitution
3. First General Elections
4. The division of the states
5. Nuclear tests
6. Imposition of Emergency
7. Mandal Commission report
8. Demolition of Babri Masjid (Mosque)
9. 1983 Cricket World Cup win
10. Economic Liberalization in 1991

Looking back at India, i can only say that in 60 years of self rule, India has truly become a super power in the global arena. I am proud of being an Indian. Totally agree, that there are lots of flaws that still need to be rectified, but India as a nation is 60 years YOUNG today. And we should wait till it celebrates its 100th birthday.

This entry was posted by eXPerience called L!FE, on Sunday, August 12, 2007. You can leave your response.