Bravery of Civilian Victims of Ukraine and Gaza Wars
In recent years, we have seen the courage, resilience and struggle for survival of the people of Ukraine and Gaza. Innocent civilians are the victims of the struggle for global dominance between the super powers through regional wars.
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine. Russia hoped that Ukraine would surrender after token resistance before the overwhelming might of its army. Clearly, that was a costly mistake which did not take into account the resolve of the Ukrainian people. In this context, NATO support for Ukraine is a side issue.
Ukrainians have gone to unimaginable lengths to defend their country and freedom. While many joined the war as frontline soldiers, others have stayed back to provide essential supporting services. Despite danger to their lives, thousands have stayed on in their homes and farms. Mothers have taken their children to neighbouring countries leaving their husbands and grownup sons and daughters behind to fight the invading Russian army. Many mothers have left their children with relatives or in the care of trusted friends to return to Ukraine to join the war effort. It is most moving to watch even the brave little children showing remarkable composure for their age groups.
Ukrainian resistance against overwhelming odds, define the nature of courage. President Zelensky is seen as an outstanding example of a courageous leader motivating his people and winning friends abroad. According to Prof. Cynthia Pury of Clemson University, US, true courage involves choice. It involves risk and it needs to be for something that is worthwhile. For the Ukrainian people their right to self-determination and how they exercise it as a free choice, makes it worthwhile. Freedom of choice is a fundamental human right while making the choice of how and when to exercise it, is a matter of political realities and foresight. (Nearer home, the Sikhs face this choice.)
Watching these scenes. Sikhs are reminded of the brave Singh-Singhania of the 18th century mentioned in the Ardaas of the Khalsa (daily Sikh prayer which is also a synopsis of Sikh history.)
In the Middle-East, the invasion of the small strip of Gaza by Israel started after Hamas terrorists crossed into Israel on 7 October 2023. According to reports, they killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza. In retaliation, Israel started, what PM Netanyahu called a war of mighty vengeance. Israel has used massive air and fire-power to kill over 45,000 civilians and erased large parts of Gaza to the ground while Hamas terrorists remain elusive.
UN reports confirm that nearly 70% of those who lost their lives have been women and children. The war has made worse the situation for disabled people in Gaza, where an estimated 21% of households have at least one member living with a disability. That amounts to approximately 58,000 people according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. Despite all the great hardships, it is remarkable that the people of Gaza continue to survive.
The women, the children, the handicapped and the war wounded are paying the heaviest price. There are journalists on the ground taking risks as they send out reports. According to UN reports there are unprecedented levels of international law violations.
Finally, the month of December reminds the global Sikh Qaum of their own blood stained pages of history (Sikh Ithaas de Khooni Patray, Giani Sohan Singh Sital), following the ultimate sacrifices of Sarbans Daani Guru Gobind Singh in December 1705. More about that later.
Gurmukh Singh OBE
Principal Civil Servant retd (UK)