The worst global recession after Second World War predicted by World Bank amid pandemic might be lesser damaging to humanity than deep-rooted venomous collective behaviors. Unexpected fall of the flawless health care systems of Europe and the US against the invisible virus have rightly challenged the existing concepts of national security, which primarily cater protection against the military threats.
Ability to kill thousands of humans from a distant location with one strike might frighten the millions of foes but such enormous power is too ineffective to save the life of a single infected citizen on own side. Few weeks earlier, during President Trump’s Visit, India finalized a three-billion-dollar deal with the US to buy Integrated Air Defence System for national security. Interestingly, in the midst of pandemic surge, the US president had to press PM Modi through a threatening request to ease the export of anti-malarial drug for America.
Surprisingly, the sole super power could not tackle the pandemic with available resources. Debate on formulation of public centric security concepts and emergence of new global order are very much in air but any significant positive impact of such grand developments on humanity remains in shadow of doubts. Will saner nations alter the security priorities by allocating more resources towards the well- being of their citizens? Has pandemic made the world more sympathetic and caring? Answer to these questions may be affirmative about individual behaviors, as the people seem to be more accommodating and kind towards the suffering quarters of the society. However, no big change in collective approach of global players seems evident.
Hesitant cold shoulder response by the EU to initial desperate help calls from Italy was quite disappointing. When thousands were dying in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, no finger was pointed on the WHO by the US president on any pretext. Outburst against the WHO began with a sudden rise of COVID-19 cases in the US. Cut in funding of the WHO was announced by the US for mismanaging the initial outbreak in China which allegedly damaged the global preparations. Denial of US allegations from China and the WHO came promptly with a valid suggestion to refrain from politicizing the public sufferings. No shots were fired on the WHO by the US or any G-7 country until the pandemic crept deep in their societies. Obviously, outburst on the WHO or China has nothing to do with collective well-being of humanity. Global players are pursuing their respective objectives in the larger pretext of pandemic. Significant hypocritical response was seen during SAARC video link conference from the Indian side which, being initiator of the event, had no justification of inhuman curfew and communication blackout in occupied Kashmir. Though, the conference apparently had an agenda to act collectively for human safety but New Delhi got irked once reminded of eight million Kashmiris forced to live like prisoners in their own houses.
When thousands were dying in Italy, Spain, France and Germany, no finger was pointed on the WHO by the US president on any pretext
Virtues have diminished and humanity is suffering in the hands of hardcore extremist elements. Tragic stories from Gaza expose the worst form of inhuman collective behavior of a state called Israel. Two million Palestinians have been forced to live a life worse than animals in the biggest open air jail of the world called Gaza strip. Reportedly, after detecting 13 infected cases, now Gaza is facing acute shortage of COVID-19 testing kits and essential drugs. While the civilized world is so keen towards social distancing, poor Palestinians are compelled to live in highly cramped and extra congested refugee camps of Jablya and Al-Shati. Israeli forces have besieged the Gaza where already malnourished and caged Palestinians are running short of food supplies and all basic amenities of life. Fancy talks at international forums about public safety, equality and fundamental human rights on the pretext of pandemic appear hollow once weighed against sufferings of the Gaza jail prisoners. Palestinians have already experienced toxic human behavior which is deadlier than pandemic.
The recent news about tragic death of 62 Rohingya Muslims in the Bay of Bengal has reminded the shocking tragedy spread from Myanmar to Malysia. As per survivor witness account, 500 Rohingyas cramped in a small fishing boat struck with hunger and thrust, had been sailing for two months between Malaysia, Thailand and Bangla Desh to seek refuge. All 62 dead were given floating funeral in the sea! No piece of land could be offered to unlucky dead as the world was busy fighting the pandemic and thinking about allocation of more resources for public welfare.
There is a long list of public sufferings which could not receive due response from international community. Syrian and Afghan refugees have been compelled to breath in unlivable camps at the mercy of global donors! Rohingyas are floating on overcrowded boats in search of shelter and food! Kashmiris imprisoned in their own houses! Indian Muslims are being labelled as ‘Corona Jihidist’ and discriminated in hospitals. All these tragedies prove that virtues are rapidly diminishing from the world! Question of the day is that how, in post pandemic world, a rehashed public centric concept of national security or new global order would be able to heal the wounds of oppressed human beings. No theories or verbal claims will ever work against those human traits which are much deadlier than pandemics.
Writer is a freelance and can be reached at sikandarnoorani@yahoo.com