New Year is approaching to bring seasonal changes and to put an end to winter. The snow is melting and the poor will breathe a sigh of relief from the intense cold which imposed them great pressure. Their feet will stop feeling numb with the cold and their pain caused by freezing weather will be alleviated. The rays of the sun will shine on their floor to ease the stress caused by humidity. But will their lusterless eyes shine with the rays of hope for a greater change of life?
They have hoped long ago for a miracle to change their life for better, but their dream never came true. Neither democratic government nor the foreign aids could assuage their anguish. They are burning in the furnace of poverty without anyone in authority to pay any significance to them. Their intolerable life has been changed to a normal phenomenon for the people and no one is there to think up a strategy to end their misery. How long they had to grin and bear such a miserable life?
New Year is entirely meaningless for some of the families in the country. The beggars are just begrudging the affluent families their fashionable clothes, costly jewelries, modern styles and luxury cars. Furthermore, there are many families who cannot afford new clothes for their children on the gala day of New Year. Many poor fathers are struggling from dawn to dusk to find a morsel of bread for their families and can hardly make the ends meet.
It is said that Afghanistan is one of the most impoverished nations in Asia. With 36% of its population living below the poverty line, Afghanistan is only second to Bangladesh as Asia’s poorest country.
The scenes of disabled beggars who are crawling across the streets, imploring for a penny from each passerby, touch me greatly. They really survive hunger and poverty through their lives. Without a doubt, they are pressurized by deep and intolerable economic crunch. Perhaps, they might be the hated group in the eyes of the rich.
It merits mentioning that the fate of Afghan children is very critical. Mostly they experience pain and sorrow. They are involved in life drudgeries, from birth. In other words, they are too small to be touched with those labors.
Afghan people, especially the younger generation, suffer from unemployment. Of course, unemployment does not only pressurize people mentally but cause many challenges in the families and in the society. Whenever a vacancy is announced, nepotism dominates meritocracy. Hence, unemployment, alike other challenges, is an issue which has been neglected by the government.
In addition, insecurity is one of the factors which affects our life. Three decades of war have affected the life of people badly. This results in serious economic pressures. The trace of war is still felt tremendously in the country; however, insecurity exacerbates the situation. Insecurity limits job opportunities for the heads of families. Sometimes the bread-winners lose their lives leaving large families behind without any economic supporters. Moreover job insecurity compounds the challenge. Hence, insecurity is one of the factors which disturbs the flow of economic process across the country.
Insecurity and terrorism have wrecked havoc on Afghanistan’s political condition. Afghan people are highly exhausted from militancy and violence. People still lose their family members in acts of terror carried out by religious extremists. Afghan men and women suffer from terrible nightmare caused by the insurgents’ cruelties. Terrorist has changed to a serious issue for Afghan and US forces.
Afghan people, especially the younger generation, suffer from unemployment. Of course, unemployment does not only pressurize people mentally but cause many challenges in the families and in the society. Whenever a vacancy is announced, nepotism dominates meritocracy. Hence, unemployment, alike other challenges, is an issue which has been neglected by the government.
Administrative corruption is a great factor in poverty across the country. It is beyond doubt that billions of dollars poured in the country within a decade or so were pocketed by the powerful officials and members of Mafia.
A report issued by the UN stated that the number of civilians killed or wounded in Afghanistan rose by 14% in 2013 and expressed deep concern over this increase in its annual reports. According to the report, more than 8,600 Afghan civilians were killed or injured in 2013. The report attributes 74% of civilian deaths and injuries to Anti-Government Elements, 11% to Pro-Government Forces and 10% to ground engagements between Anti-Government Elements and Pro-Government Forces.
Unfortunately, we live in the age that people are so irresponsible and unconcerned about the difficulties their neighbors and fellows suffer from. The good example for this can be the skyscrapers built among the homes which are in a shambles. Of course, those who live in the mud-built houses will suffer from serious poverty and may sleep hungry at nights. But does the rich who live in the luxury apartments know about their difficulties?
It is unfortunate for our poor people that the ears have turned deaf, the eyes have turned blind and the hearts have turned stone. It is natural that, when such tragedy is repeated every day, the people will get used to it. Now, it is the same with our country, especially with our officials, and that is why every tragedy is normal; something to be ignored.
I believe that the real and meaningful New Year for Afghan people is the day when everyone can breathe a sigh of relief in a democratic and secure environment. Likewise, the happiness will be meaningful for the people when the breadwinners are not worried about a morsel of food and when people are no more fearful of having their earnings snatched by armed and powerful individuals. Yes, the real glee and gladness are the days when sinister faces and ominous goals are not hidden behind the veneer of virtue and sincerity. The real happiness is the days when the rift between the poor and the rich is repaired and people of any race, religion and sects live peacefully across the country.