India’s contribution to war victims in the past, present

Posted on May 8, 2009
Filed Under Blogging, India | 2 Comments

Dalai Lama with Indian Americans

Dalai Lama with Indian Americans

The brutal genocidal civil war still continues in Sri Lanka. Everybody is miffed by what is happening there, so am I. Sometimes, I miss sleep and even to an extent of resisting food, lavish spending caused by the thought of thousands dying with no water, food, medicines.

Is peace or a bona fide act by the Sinhalese government in the horizon? I don’t know, but I just hope something comes up before the genocide washes away the minority Tamils who have all rights to be the inhabitants of that land.

Some reports even say, the government and President has disallowed journalists, aid agencies, to cover up the bloody crimes as more and more Tamil traces are washed away. My friend, a political analyst in the Karnataka govt, says it’s a really deliberate act to wash off the minuscule group. I really don’t know the truth, but I can see the whole issue is getting mucky.

This deep scar for sure will remain in the hearts of thousands of people, including the victims, some who have lost their families, homes, children..etc.

Ok, to our topic. One of my recent article in which I chided the dragon government for supporting criminals who are into gross humanitarian crimes, led to scores of emails jammed up in my inbox. Most of them accused me of being anti-Chinese, and failing to recognise the efforts of China to save the Sri Lankan government. Well I have no problem with such emails, and I am an open man to open views. However, I do have a problem with one of them who questioned the creditability of India asking me what India has done to aid or relieve war victims in the entire history of the world.

“India has done no contributions in saving the victims of violence, and has always been neutral,” reads one of the emails. Well, I can’t respond to all of those emails, at least I can talk behalf of my beloved country on its contributions, which may be the world has failed to witness?

All right, first you should get this straight. China was chided not for providing relief, but for rendering ammunition, artillery and mortar barrage. You heard of what happened in London right? 150 Tamil protesters attacked the Chinese embassy claiming it was a “major arms supplier to the Sri Lankan government.” Sadly, even Indian embassy was targeted. So we have a parallel case, agreed?..haha..no email bashing, deal?

All right, now I don’t want to substantiate a point by drawing thousands of historical theories that might take my time as well as your time. These days I hardly get time to breathe and further I had decided to keep my blog regularly updated, which I have apparently failed.

So is India doing something or has it done in the past? Reports say India on Wednesday dispatched a ship carrying 40,000 family packs of rice, dal, clothes and toiletries for the civilians who have emerged from the war zone. We don’t feed the dying with guns and bombs; we feed them food, got it? Although I don’t have exact quotation to cite, I just know a huge bulky amount was also rendered as aid.

Meanwhile, this week, two reports made me really happy about my country.

The first was of Dalai Lama, Nobel Peace Prize winner, addressing about 200 Indian Americans who were packed in a small room at The Waldorf Astoria hotel, last week.

The Tibetan leader who recently completed 50 years of exile in India said he was grateful to his host country.

“The last 50 years have been the darkest period in the Tibetan history. There was a serious threat to the disappearance of the Tibetan people, their culture and their heritage. In such a time we found India as our second home,” he said.

“Because of the support of the Indian government, the state governments and the public sympathy, we had the opportunity to carry on the preservation of the Tibetan Buddhist culture, including our own language. It is important and it is my duty to thank India for what it has done for us in the last 50 years.”

He talked about two major things he learned from India. The first is a commitment to human values, compassion and non-violence, which he believes are the essentials to build a happy family, county and world. The second is his belief in building bridges of harmony on the basis of mutual respect and understanding.

“I take these two commitments that I learned from India,” he said. “The tradition of ahimsa is central to India’s being. I consider myself to be a messenger of Indian values and I try and make those values known in the world. I know I have made a small impact in the world.”

The second article that was awe-inspiring was the Palestinian authority calling India as a true friend.

Again, India did not help Palestinians with bombs and war materials, but offered “timely help” with USD one million worth humanitarian relief in the aftermath of Gaza war and ten million dollars in budgetary assistance.

India was among the first to contribute the humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

“India has proved itself a true friend and well wisher of the Palestinian masses by being among the first ones to provide the Palestinian Authority (PA) with budgetary support,” Palestinian deputy Foreign Minister Ahmed Soboh said.

My friends, these and many such stories are substantial enough to the country’s long history of helping people. Some of the stories have apparently been forgotten…May be I can recall few for you here.

1) There are 5,782 Indian soldiers lying in the cemeteries of Italy representing all India’s religious faiths (Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh). The “men,” some just boys of 16, served during World War II fighting to liberate Italy.

2) India stupendously contributed in the liberation of Bangladesh.

3) Interestingly, Korea too is very grateful to India. During 1951 Korean War, it was India, one of the commonwealth unit that helped Korea to snatch victory from evil.

India agreed to send a large troop to Pusan in 1950 to aid the Koreans fight the NKorean aggression. History reveals that it was India ‘s medical aid that helped many Koreans survive the war and some even learning the techniques, which subsequently led to the establishment of hospitals and medical cares under Indian supervision.

Throughout the Korean War, the Indians performed an estimated 2,324 surgical operations on 195,000 outpatients and 20,000 inpatients. India also did nearly 5,000 dental examinations. Indians were later awarded the Korean “Chungmu” and Distinguished Service Medal. The dispatched unit accumulated a total of 627 tributes.

There are hundreds of such stores, if were to be quoted, I can fearlessly do. So those who talk hooey over India should think twice. Please dont send me another round of emails that will swarm my inbox.

I am considering of integrating a forum for all of you to discuss your views, and suggestions. Till then, Adios from SAM!

Comments

2 Responses to “India’s contribution to war victims in the past, present”

  1. JJ on May 9th, 2009 3:37 am

    good article bro :)

  2. Raj on May 9th, 2009 10:22 am

    Man the Korean thing was awesome!

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