Challenges ahead…

In the twenty-first century the whole world is bothersome to survive under the dark shadow of the  Catastrophe of COVID-19 Pandemic. The emergence of CoronaVirus in 2019 leads to the massive destruction of mankind all over the globe. This pandemic has been adversely affecting the social, economical and political life of each and every human including their mental and physical health. As a precautionary measure almost every country has declared a lockdown to break out the chain of Coronavirus. People are dying either in Corona or by unemployment. In forthcoming days scientists are predicting the third wave of Corona. People are trying to cope with the situation. Suddenly the news of Annexation of Afghanistan by the Taliban has captured the eyes of the world. On 15^th of August 2021 when we were celebrating our 75^th Independence Day of India, a Taliban militant group entered the capital Kabul. Within a period of ten days Taliban almost invaded every part of Afghanistan territory except Panjshir Valley.

The Invasion of Afghanistan by Taliban brings back the flashback of political upheaval, emergence of Taliban, invasion of Afghanistan by Taliban and USA, terrorist attack of 11/9 in USA during last three decades. In 1990 Mullah Omar formed the radical militant group known as Taliban in 1990. In 1996 Taliban had financial support from Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia. Taliban invaded Afghanistan in 1996 and ruled over Afghanistan for six years.

Islamic Extremist group Al Qaeda had hijacked four USA Airplanes and attacked  World Trade Center building in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania with plane crashes. USA has launched Operation Enduring Freedom along with United Kingdom and Northern Alliances and later the United States of America had invaded Afghanistan in 2001. Over the period of twenty years Taliban crawl out of woodwork. According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and Afghanistan’s National Statistic and National Authority NSIA survey Report - in 2020 there is 37 percent rise in opium poppy cultivation (6,300 tons costs approximately US$ 350 million) in Afghanistan during pandemic period as compare to 2019. Lack of employment opportunities and illiteracy is one of the main reasons of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. The illegal cultivation for opium poppy (later converted into heroin) on Afghanistan agriculture land allows access to Taliban in Afghanistan. Taliban dominates the opium poppy cultivation and drugs production market in Afghanistan. This converted heroine they supplied to surrounding countries and Europe. Taliban's involvement and domination in opium poppy cultivation and drugs production helps them to  control and capture Afghanistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his other elected Ministers escaped to another country. After the power transformation, the Taliban group is pretends to be good with Afghani people to manage the reputation at international level. Taliban giving assurance of safety of Afghani people women, children and specially safety of a people associated with bureaucratic and defense services of the former government. Taliban giving the assurance that they have transformed their ideology. Every day’s newspaper and media depict the saga of chaos of Afghani people. Taliban started the hunt mission for former members associated with the former government. Afghani people are trying to fly to other countries with their families. Resistance movements of Afghani people by rallies on road, mass migration of people all over the country, crowd of people at Kabul airport, firing by Taliban militants on Afghan people at airport. In 1996 Taliban invaded Afghanistan and established their regime. Afghani people witnessed the brutality of Taliban Ideology. Taliban groups banned the Human Rights Movement, banned women's education, their careers, restricted their attire and forced Afghani girls between the age group of 12 to 15 to marry Taliban militants, banned sports, entertainment, media etc. Afghani people witnessed massive massacre and human execution. Afghan people are living, hiding, trying to escape from the terror of Taliban. They are anxious about their uncertain future; fear of violence and death lies in the eyes of every citizen. They are worried about their freedom and human rights. Due to airport restrictions WHO is unable to dispatch medical supplies to casualties. Many countries are waiting for their people to get back to their own countries. Taliban has given assurance that they will not harm any Indian people in Afghanistan. Till date Taliban has not declared its strategies and policies to form new government. Afghani people have a dilemma over the crisis and peace negotiation.  

Soviet Union (Russia) Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is assuring that Taliban will prove a good government for Afghani people. The transformation of power is good for a country. Soviet Union has bitter memories of the ten years War with Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989.

Many countries are concerned for the condition of Afghan people, women and children. Recipient of Nobel Prize for peace and  Human rights activist Malala Yousafzai also concerned about safety and education of women and children. Malala has been shot in the head by the Taliban for working in a campaign on girls’ education.

Ahmad Shah Massoudi, well known as Lion of Panjshir resisting Taliban to enter Panjshir Valley and also appealed for armed ammunition, financial help and supply. Afghanistan is waiting for help from the UNO, Northern alliance and other countries.

Before the formation of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, member countries of the  United Nations must handle the issue on a primary basis. The moment the Taliban established the government in Afghanistan they will try to mushroom their roots  across the border areas. Many other countries are ready to supply armed ammunition to the Taliban with a hidden agenda. To maintain  peace the UN and worldwide Human organization should pressurize Taliban for peace talk and negotiation. The United States should remember the past experience. In 1996 Taliban established their government in Afghanistan, during that time the United States had witnessed terrorist attack led the massive human and property destruction. Definitely the world can’t erase memories of the dark and gray ashes of human destruction.  The whole world has a responsibility and  a challenge to maintain world peace, to sustain human rights. 

In these present circumstances India must take a firm stand. India’s neighboring countries like Pakistan, China are supplying assistance to Extremist radical Taliban group.  India should decide their policy towards Talinan invaded Afghanistan. India has bitter experience of war with neighboring countries.  Indian defense service always plays the significant role on national securities  and  always protect India from external enemies. For centuries our freedom fighters fought for our freedom. Indian freedom, India as an Independence Nation is legacy given by martyr freedom fighters. In the twenty-first century it is a responsibility of each and every Indian citizen to sustain this precious legacy. India is a multicultural, multi-religious, multi-linguistic nation. The Indian constitution has given us secularist status. We may have opinion differences in internal matters. But we may always stand together while dealing with external matters. In the present scenario of international issues of terrorism, international border issues, migration and war National security and peace is a challenge for India. We must respect our Indian Constitution which gives us right to freedom. Being Indian citizen, we must perform our duties to maintain the harmony and peace in the nation. We must contribute for defense services. As per the population ratio of our nation the number of recruitments in defense service is not satisfied. Every youth of nation must take a defense training through National Cadet Corps (NCC) during school and college education. They should inculcate moral and ethical values, patriotism, national integration, unity and discipline and also develop the scientific approach. The Indian youth must upgrade their knowledge about current national and international issues for survival of fittest. Indian youth must participate in politics with thorough study, they must   contribute for scientific and economic development of the country. They should always get ready for natural, man-made calamities. Really this the right time to be a responsible and alert citizen.  Being a responsible citizen, Indian youth should spread the awareness on drug addiction and  also make the youth aware about  consequences of the  involvement of youth with extremist groups, Corruption etc. and help to develop patriotism.  The Indian defense ministry must decide their strategies to deal with national security issues at the coastal and international border.