A Silent Crisis- Incorrigible Error in Nature of Development

The twentieth century has seen consequences unprecedented in history. It’s witnessed two opposite extremes of human efficiency and human malfunctioning. Human efficiency is in terms of scientific revolution vis-a-vis ultra high speed of communication and production, spaceships and extra-terrestrial adventures, bio-medical breakthroughs, genetical and biological achievements and fantasies, Computers and Robotic realities, world turning into a global village and ‘God’ like ability of humans to affect and influence the planetary life. Human malfunctions are in terms of giant flaws we kept ignoring in the process of development like plummeting varieties of species near to extinction, deforestation, rampant pollution in air, water and land, ever increasing rapacious greed for natural resources in each new generation and above all de-association of human feelings from its very roots that lies in the lap of nature, not in any insane attempt of conquering the nature. Twentieth century witnessed the power of human intelligence, though erroneous. But I foresee twenty first century is going to witness power of nature in its most profound way.

According to a new survey 33% of species will be near extinction in 2030. According to IPCC’s latest report Antarctica Ice and Himalayan glacier will melt in next 30 years rendering lands and masses vulnerable to water shortage. Another report says that the global temperature would rise around 2-7 degree C by 2050 which is lethal for many species and formidable enough for humans. According to WHO world population would reach to its peak of 9 billion (a rise of 3 billion in a shortest period of 50 years from year 2000.) that is going to put heavy pressure on world’s agriculture production and will exacerbate the water crisis across the world. Another report gives serious concern to the depletion of forest reserves and around half of the rain-forests would vanish by 2050. A perfunctory glance to these reports may give us the impression that these are different areas of concern in near future. But a close look is sufficient to realize a common thing behind these eye-opening reports which is that Humans and Nature are interconnected. Nature needs our heed and we need nature’s good health. For next coming decades our priority must not be anything but Nature.

INTERNET: An Invention becomes a Blessing

The recent Arabian upheaval is a fresh example of what human rights awareness can do. It can resuscitate the dying cultures by injecting the energy of awareness. Arab countries are witnessing the throes of change after the decades of gloom under the dictatorship. It is the prime reminder of the modern era where human dignity and growth holds power and any attempt to suppress it would have to face dire consequences. Some pacifist may find it against the laws of non-violence, but action and reaction are always bound to be equal. If ruthlessness is at its peak, equally ruthless resurrection could obviously be expected. Science has once again paid its role in changing the course of uprise by providing swift communication between the people. Internet arose as the silent, but stentorian, tool in the hands of common men to express, purge their emotions and also to unite.

It is even said that internet provided the fuel to turn this movement into a colossal upheaval. It helped people to share their grief, which led to a common concern that turned out to be against the government. Government can easily restrain the other modern modes of communication like electronic media and press, but internet has proved like a panacea that is unfettered and can be accessed from home with least government intervention. People were simmering in resentment waiting for just a spark to outburst into. And that spark was provided by the self-immolation of a venderor, frustrated by the repeated torture by the police. The spark did the blast fueled by a common resentment, and mutual communication was provided by this new age benediction of science called Internet.