2020: TEENAGE ERA OVER; HOPES ALIVE
CHANDAN SHARMA
The new year has finally arrived with a bang. Amid fear of
the slowdown and a mega stimulus for the infrastructure sector by the
government has, at least, gave an indication that the quest for the prosperous
and happier nation and world to continue in the coming days despite all odds.
The year 2019 will be known for some of the unique and bold
decisions. These decision would certainly impact the future of the entire
nation. The country witnessed probably the biggest decision in the recent history
or say in the modern history of India – Supreme verdict on Ayodhya temple was
probably the biggest decision of over a century old conflict.
On the other hand, rise of people’s awareness about climate
change and young Greta’s biggest challenge ‘How dare you’ certainly made an
impact on the ruling community of the world and compelled them to seriously
consider about the carbon credit and environmental protection.
The year 2019 also raised alarm for Himalayan crisis and
melting of glaciers in polar regions and Himalaya. This was probably first year
when people encountered with bizarre picture of international mountaineers,
making beeline to climb world’s highest Mount Everest, indicating crisis of
adventure tourism in the region.
Moreover, the capital city Delhi experienced a shivering cold
as the city encountered with the coldest day in the century, colder than other
hill stations.
Abrogation of article 370 is certainly a big step taken by
the government to make India a united country and paved the way for ‘one nation
one constitution’. India also added two new union territories, Ladakh and Jammu
and Kashmir, this year.
Promulgation of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is another
big step despite controversies and protests by the opposition parties and
youth. Although, there may be some concerns from various quarters but the
decision was certainly a bold step despite all criticism. These concerns can be
addressed in the future course of action. As far as protest is concerned, this
was fuelled more due to misinformation and mismanagement of the administrative and
communication tools and it can not be mixed with NRC or NPR.
The year 2020 is also going to the year of new political
permutation and combination as opposition Congress or Congress supported (UPA) emerged
as the major party in state politics in 2019. This gives so many indications
for 2019 but also says that road ahead for BJP is not so smooth. The void
created, by passing away of some of the political leaders like Arun Jaitley, Sheila
Dikshit, Sushma Swaraj, S. Jaipal Reddy and some others, seems difficult to
fill in the new year.
Not only politics, but media also faced some tough and
challenging times. Several esteemed newspapers closed their editions or shut
down the operations in some of the metro cities. These include newspapers like ‘The Hindu’, ‘Deccan
Chronicle’ and several others. Vernacular newspapers also forced to shut down
in the cut-throat competition with electronic media and internet. Channels were
not much different in this concern. This was despite the fact that several
stimulus announced for the corporate sectors.
However, there are several economic challenges are still
haunting the nation but Prof. Abhijit Banerjee’s Nobel prize gave some solace for
India amid disappointments like crash landing of Chandrayaan-2, loss of 45 lives
due to fire in Delhi, flood in Patna and many others in 2019.
There are several milestones in defence and diplomatic areas
but one big achievement must be acknowledged that India emerged as a global
leader in the renewable energy and telecom and its quest will continue in the
era of rise of youth power despite plethora of social, political and economic challenges.
So, happy 2020!
(Chandan Sharma is founder of Yuvavani.com; A pvt. initiative)
