At peril of being branded a ‘Bhakt’ there are some things that I feel the very strong need to express here.
The war between Ukraine and Russia have exposed more than the ugly politics being played by powers big and small. It has exposed the national character or the sad lack of it very clearly.
The videos and tweets by returning students and those still stuck in the war zone are pretty divided in their opinions on the government’s handling of the situation. I can understand the disenchantment of those still stuck there in fear of their lives. But when those who have been air-lifted back to safety and security at the cost of the government and given a hero’s welcome on entering the country foul-mouth the government, it reeks of ingratitude.
Why, you ask, should one be grateful? It is the duty of the government, not a favour. Maybe. But are normal human beings not grateful to their own parents and all they did for us, although it was as much or even more so their ‘duty’? Then why is it so difficult to be grateful to the government, no matter which government or who is at the helm?
Criticism No. 1: Where were the advisories?
The very first one was published on the 15th of Feb 2022. There were several more of them until the 24th of the month when the war began. What was the reaction? Some students followed government advice and returned. Others did not. They had their own reasons – fulfilment of attendance requirements, inability to afford flight tickets …. Completely understandable. But there were those who made videos mocking the government’s advisory. What of them? If they were so smart to think those were just a lot of noise about nothing, why are they complaining now?
If on the other hand they were unable to come because they had to attend classes or could not afford the flight tickets, then they should be grateful for having been air lifted home at the cost of the government or indeed the tax payer’s money.
Criticism No. 2: Why were they not air lifted before the war began? Why were they not picked up from inside Ukraine?
How could they leave the country before the war began, if they were obliged to be present for their classes? So what purpose would it serve if the government had even tried? What if the government had forced them to leave? Could the government do that? If it did, it would have been accused of high handedness and fascism.
Once the war began, how could any flight enter Ukraine without the risk of being shot down with or without evacuees? In either case, what would have been achieved?
They did not need help after crossing the border.
Really? They should have come on their own. Why did they not? How many of them have offered to pay back at least their flight charges to the government? How easily people forget the trauma and exhaustion they must have felt after the gut-wrenching time until they crossed the border. Do they think they had the emotional or physical wherewithal to get back without help? How many countries spent so many crores on flights, shelter and food for their citizens?
Criticism No. 3: One complaint is that they were asked to clean the toilets. The carrot dangled for doing that was being bumped up on the evacuation list.
We do not know how true this is, but even assuming it is, let us agree that it is not everyone’s cup of tea. But fact remains that hygiene has to be maintained, especially in such crowded environments. Who would clean the toilets? We might have people to do that in India, but there is no such luxury in other countries. Who would pay for them? Such service would not come cheap, even if it were available. So if you can’t do this, because you find it gross or it is below your dignity, is it unfair that someone who actually did it for your benefit gets the advantage of being brought back home earlier? If on the other hand nobody cleaned the toilets and they were overflowing/stinking, these very people would have been the first to complain.
Criticism No. 4: There was no vegan food available, no on-flight entertainment.
Oh, really? No, dear, we do not know ‘tum kaun ho’ or ‘tumhara baap kaun hai’. Sorry for our complete ignorance. Where we are concerned, you were a student who was being evacuated from a war zone and you should be happy to be back home. You were taken pretty good care of under the circumstances.
Criticism No. 5: Speeches by ministers, flowers at entry point! Seriously! Who could object to being welcomed with flowers? And for all the help you received, surely it was not too difficult to listen to a two-minute speech? Just so much grace – is it too much to ask for?
On second thoughts, I have to admit, they did go rather over-board welcoming you and your behaviour towards a certain minister standing at the entrance to welcome you was indeed very ‘flattering’ of your up-bringing and attitude. What a waste of tax payer’s money.
Criticism No. 6: Not paid fare to get home from point of entry into country. Oh my my! Surely your family was there at the airport to pick you up and take you back home or did they grudge you the cost of taking you back home?
Criticism No. 7: It was propaganda for the UP elections. Why all the show? It was not even an evacuation – JUST transport.
So you believe the government should have waited till after the elections to evacuate … oh, sorry, to TRANSPORT you? Even after everything that was done for you, you claim NOTHING was done. This government is asked for proof of all their positive actions. Their alleged negative ones are a forgone truth and need no further proof. So it was in the interest of the government to keep proof ready and available. This way everyone sees the truth – whether they acknowledge it, deny it or criticize it is another matter.
Was the government’s handling of the crisis perfect?
May not be. I am left wondering why students on the Eastern border of Ukraine were not asked to cross over to Russia right at the beginning, instead of being asked to go all the way across to the Western borders. That might have spared the students some time and agony. So no, it may not have been perfect, BUT that does not detract from the fact that they did a phenomenal job.
Does this make me a Bhakt? You are free to your own opinions. I believe in freedom of speech and thought.
Accusations thrown at the students:
- Why did they have to go abroad to study?
That is really none of anyone’s business. It was between them and their families and they spent their own money.
2. Why did they not heed the advisories and evacuate the place earlier?
Assuming they had to fulfil their attendance requirements and they really did not sense any danger, it should not be difficult to understand that, provided they don’t end up blaming others for the difficulties they had to endure.
3. They have no values, they go out not to study, but to have fun ……
Am as disgusted by such generalizations as I am by the ungrateful behaviour of many of them. My question to those who make such statements: How can you make such sweeping statements? Do you know each one of them individually? Have you any statistical data for how many respect values or don’t, how many respect their parents or don’t …. It is absurd to try and judge people by your own values. Yours might be excellent and very noble, but that does not make others who are different despicable. Nobody has the right to foulmouth an entire population going by the atrocious behaviour of a handful of them.
showersandpetals 