Saturday, April 09, 2016

The whole world is angry, except those who should be. Why?

India is an unhappy country, coming 118th in the world happiness index. We can see that people are angry by the fatal incidents of road rage everywhere. But how can we be less happy than Somalia at 76, Pakistan at 92 or Palestinian Territories at 108, which are all failed states. Is it because people in these countries are resigned to their fates because everyone, except politicians, army officers and jihadists, is equally poor, while in India society is divided into different layers of prosperity and people feel frustrated because they feel they are being denied their potential? But India is not alone. The whole of the Middle East is in turmoil. There was great elation in 2011 when Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the President of Tunisia, scarpered to Saudi Arabia when the country erupted after a street vendor, named Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire. People have become disillusioned with the revolution as corruption has not diminished, there are no jobs and they feel poorer. With nothing to do and no future to look forward to young men in Tunisia are joining ISIS, Al Qaeda and the Al Nusra front. Arab Spring has turned into Arab Winter as Yemen, Libya, Iraq and Syria are in turmoil, Egypt has elected a general as president and Lebanon does not have a president. There is anger all across the Middle East. There is anger in Europe as governments seem paralysed to stop millions of migrants from pouring in. They are worried about becoming minorities in their own countries and consequent loss of culture. Although the US is number 13 in happiness people there are also angry. This was noticed by Donald Trump who has become a big headache for the establishment Republicans. People are worried about the economy, about jobs, about illegal immigrants and about terrorist attacks, especially after San Bernadino. People are angry in Britain as the economy falters and the government tries to balance the budget by cutting social security. Britain will be voting in a referendum on 23 June whether to remain a part of the European Union with both the sides accusing each other of dirty tactics. The Brits are worried about the economy, about immigration from Europe, with the fear of rising crime and the jump in the price of real estate, which is preventing the young from buying their own homes. We Indians are angry because we have no control over our lives. Politicians are elected by a minority of people, based on religious divide, caste or handouts and then impose policies on us, not because it helps the country, but because they want to enhance their own powers by increasing divisions. Thus, the Delhi government is enforcing odd-even rules for men car owners when studies show that it is of no benefit. The Congress is celebrating Muslim votes in Assam by allowing unchecked infiltration from Bangladesh. And honour killings continue in Tamil Nadu, probably in anger against 69% reservation in the state. So much anger will surely explode. What happens then?

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