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Afghanistan aftermath (Two years later)
Kabul Diary Part -1Report by: Ravindra GoyalAdaptation: Jigme Palden Pazo
Kabul Diary Part -1
Report by: Ravindra Goyal
Adaptation: Jigme Palden Pazo
Not too long ago, the world’s attention was riveted on Afghanistan as the war-weary nation underwent another transformation within its borders. Now however, long after the world’s attention moved on to neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan has been all but forgotten. Zee News correspondent Ravindra Goyal recently went on a trip to the war-ravaged nation and experienced a first hand account of life in Afghanistan two years after the last war.
After all the tall promises of liberation and freedom that brought on the US warplanes to aid Northern Alliance in overthrowing the Taliban regime, the reality in Afghanistan today couldn’t be further removed from the ideal of a revitalised country making a new beginning.
Everywhere one turns, the horrors of the wars that make up most of the country’s history in recent times are obvious for all to see. The damages to the buildings and infrastructure in the capital Kabul, notwithstanding, the most glaring of injustices is manifest in the hardships that plague the inhabitants. Two years after the war, the situation in Afghanistan can be summed up in three factors, terrorism, warlord infighting and drug-related crime. In a scenario drenched in misery, it was heartening to discover that a strong bond binds the people of Afghanistan to India. From time immemorial India has shared a close relationship with Afghanistan long before Russian and US soldiers set foot on Afghan soil. Among the earliest connections between the two countries is the mention in the great epic of India, Mahabharata, that Gandhari the mother of Duryodhana originally hailed from Kabul. Even today, Indian films are highly sought after in Afghanistan and the songs widely played across the country.
Marking a new beginning for Indo-Afghan relations is Sulabh International Social Service Organisation’s entry into Afghanistan. At the recently held International Seminar on Environment Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Water, the organisation’s aims and plans for their projects in Afghanistan were clearly illustrated.
The organisation that dates back 30 years, made its presence felt in the country of its origin with its commitment to social services for the people. 60,000 community toilets and 1.2 million household toilets later, Sulabh International began to look beyond Indian borders for the benefit of mankind. Before long, it set out to replicate its mission in India to South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania and Kenya.
Following the end of the last war, refugees who had relocated from Afghanistan returned home in droves to create a population explosion of three million in a period of two years. As a result, the fragile infrastructure in place in the country collapsed under the sudden influx of population. Without the most basic of amenities available to the common man, people took to defecating in the open. This has led to a volatile breeding ground for diseases of various kinds. To complicate the problem, the unavailability of proper drinking water has forced a majority of the population to resort to ground water from tube wells which has been contaminated.
This is where Sulabh International steps into the picture. With the objective of providing community toilets as well as building toilets in private houses, Sulabh aims to rid the country of problems related to hygiene. Though it may appear a daunting task in terms of the scale, the organisation has a solid record of successes in the past. In the case of Afghanistan, Sulabh International is not limiting their assistance to sanitation alone. Vocational centres are on the cards for the youth to train in computers, driving, starting beauty clinics and other skills.
The Afghan population harbours deep resentment against the Western forces that created an upheaval in the country, in the name of democracy. Though this grudge is largely repressed within, the feeling emerges when the people speak of the role of the Western nations, particularly the US in their lives.
On the other hand, more distinct is the warm camaderie that the people of Afghanistan feel towards Indians. The age-old closeness that the two nations have shared through history has survived the ravages of war to emerge like a ray of light in the darkness that engulfs the battered nation today. India, for its part, has not turned its back on the strong ties, and has initiated a number of projects in fields as varied as road construction to spiritual assistance in rehabilitating Mosques, Temples and Gurudwaras. India has also lent a helping hand in setting up Loya Jirga, the representative assembly to draft out the Constitution.
Amid all the ruins and destruction, as a nation struggles to find its feet, India has reached out to the people of Afghanistan with the message that even in their darkest hour, they are not alone.
Report by: Ravindra Goyal
Adaptation: Jigme Palden Pazo
Not too long ago, the world’s attention was riveted on Afghanistan as the war-weary nation underwent another transformation within its borders. Now however, long after the world’s attention moved on to neighbouring Iraq, Afghanistan has been all but forgotten. Zee News correspondent Ravindra Goyal recently went on a trip to the war-ravaged nation and experienced a first hand account of life in Afghanistan two years after the last war.
After all the tall promises of liberation and freedom that brought on the US warplanes to aid Northern Alliance in overthrowing the Taliban regime, the reality in Afghanistan today couldn’t be further removed from the ideal of a revitalised country making a new beginning.
Everywhere one turns, the horrors of the wars that make up most of the country’s history in recent times are obvious for all to see. The damages to the buildings and infrastructure in the capital Kabul, notwithstanding, the most glaring of injustices is manifest in the hardships that plague the inhabitants. Two years after the war, the situation in Afghanistan can be summed up in three factors, terrorism, warlord infighting and drug-related crime. In a scenario drenched in misery, it was heartening to discover that a strong bond binds the people of Afghanistan to India. From time immemorial India has shared a close relationship with Afghanistan long before Russian and US soldiers set foot on Afghan soil. Among the earliest connections between the two countries is the mention in the great epic of India, Mahabharata, that Gandhari the mother of Duryodhana originally hailed from Kabul. Even today, Indian films are highly sought after in Afghanistan and the songs widely played across the country.
Marking a new beginning for Indo-Afghan relations is Sulabh International Social Service Organisation’s entry into Afghanistan. At the recently held International Seminar on Environment Sanitation, Health, Hygiene and Water, the organisation’s aims and plans for their projects in Afghanistan were clearly illustrated.
The organisation that dates back 30 years, made its presence felt in the country of its origin with its commitment to social services for the people. 60,000 community toilets and 1.2 million household toilets later, Sulabh International began to look beyond Indian borders for the benefit of mankind. Before long, it set out to replicate its mission in India to South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Tanzania and Kenya.
Following the end of the last war, refugees who had relocated from Afghanistan returned home in droves to create a population explosion of three million in a period of two years. As a result, the fragile infrastructure in place in the country collapsed under the sudden influx of population. Without the most basic of amenities available to the common man, people took to defecating in the open. This has led to a volatile breeding ground for diseases of various kinds. To complicate the problem, the unavailability of proper drinking water has forced a majority of the population to resort to ground water from tube wells which has been contaminated.
This is where Sulabh International steps into the picture. With the objective of providing community toilets as well as building toilets in private houses, Sulabh aims to rid the country of problems related to hygiene. Though it may appear a daunting task in terms of the scale, the organisation has a solid record of successes in the past. In the case of Afghanistan, Sulabh International is not limiting their assistance to sanitation alone. Vocational centres are on the cards for the youth to train in computers, driving, starting beauty clinics and other skills.
The Afghan population harbours deep resentment against the Western forces that created an upheaval in the country, in the name of democracy. Though this grudge is largely repressed within, the feeling emerges when the people speak of the role of the Western nations, particularly the US in their lives.
On the other hand, more distinct is the warm camaderie that the people of Afghanistan feel towards Indians. The age-old closeness that the two nations have shared through history has survived the ravages of war to emerge like a ray of light in the darkness that engulfs the battered nation today. India, for its part, has not turned its back on the strong ties, and has initiated a number of projects in fields as varied as road construction to spiritual assistance in rehabilitating Mosques, Temples and Gurudwaras. India has also lent a helping hand in setting up Loya Jirga, the representative assembly to draft out the Constitution.
Amid all the ruins and destruction, as a nation struggles to find its feet, India has reached out to the people of Afghanistan with the message that even in their darkest hour, they are not alone.