In the first days of the Trump presidency, he made a record number of executive orders that created a tsunami around the world. One of the orders is of suspension of new funding aid excepting Israel and Egypt.
However, tragically a Israeli soldier killed a 2-year-old infant while her mom was injured just seven days after the ceasefire. The previous government helped Israel with aid and weapons, and that war killed an estimated 18,000 children and around 50,000 adults. I am sure the number would be higher if the war was between Israel and Hamas but how many Hamas soldiers were killed? They couldn’t destroy Hamas and ultimately, they made a ceasefire, which is praiseworthy. But think about the lives of innocent kids, teenagers and adult humans!
I have all the respect for Israelis. They were an unjustified target of the holocaust. But they stood up and developed themselves to a country of the first world. They have contributed to the overall human endeavor by their scientists, businessmen and community leaders.
Why then Egypt too? Recently Trump stated he wanted to clean up Gaza! Maybe towards that goal, aid will continue for Egypt.
It is interesting to note that Bangladesh used to be a recipient of large amounts of U.S. funding aid. According to one estimate, for the last 50 years, the U.S. provided aid in the field of health, energy, environment, food and natural calamities. That amounts to $80 million, but now no aid to Bangladesh. How will this interim government survive? Most of the people of Bangladesh are poor. They survive because they may eat one meal instead of three meals a day.
I must note another point here. As I was a minority in Bangladesh, I had strong feelings about minorities. Before coming to take the presidency, Trump strongly rebuked the atrocities of minorities in Bangladesh. President Trump even said, if he was in power, this wouldn’t happen. Being a Hindu, Kamala Harris didn’t care. Anyway, Trump’s statement helped Bangladeshi minorities to some extent. In this regard, I appreciate Trump very much.
Another big news is war, meaning “tariff war” between the U.S. and other countries. It has just begun. If that happens, there will be consequences and as a result Americans’ livelihoods may become costlier.
I am tempted to comment on another news item published in India’s topmost reliable Bengali newspaper, Ananda Bazar Patrika. It said the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, being a communist country’s leader, has been leading a life far better than Indian Raja, Maharajas in the past.
He owns 700 cars, 19 lavish bungalows and 58 planes and helicopters. I wonder what Chinese communist’s leader Xi Jinping owns. The online news says Xi holds an estimated hidden wealth of $700 million, but nobody knows if this is correct. However, his only 32-year-old daughter Xi Mingze lives a lavish lifestyle. She owned $100 million (US) mansions in Hong Kong and much more.
As a contrast, India’s current Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is 74, has declared assets worth about $350,000. His salary is about $20,000. I am just a fan of Mr. Modi – a simple man, simple lifestyle and trying his best to do better for 1.4 billion people of Gandhiji’s great nation, India.
Have you heard of any terrorist out of 1.4 billion people of India? Her population consisted of multi religions and very much diverse in nature, still there is peace in mind. The influence of non-violence practices of Gandhiji prevailed.
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. He writes occasional column in the Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
Jiben Roy, a native of Bangladesh, teaches chemistry and pharmaceutical sciences at Mississippi University for Women. His email address is [email protected].
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