by Sunil Bajpai
Kanpur: As 2024 draws to a close, it leaves behind a year marked by disappointment, selfishness, and a retreat from truth. The promises made at the beginning of the year have been broken, largely due to selfish motives, resulting in persistent issues like violence, injustice, hatred, and lies continuing to plague society.
The past year saw a concerning shift in the middle class, which increasingly embraced hatred and falsehoods, diminishing the space for truth. This trend, coupled with a media and religious leadership that defended a political system steeped in deceit and divisiveness, has been disheartening. Moreover, the integrity and impartiality of those in constitutional positions have weakened, posing a serious threat to the nation’s democratic values.
Judicial decisions, especially from lower courts, were heavily scrutinized throughout 2024. However, there was a silver lining with the rise of an active opposition, which helped safeguard the spirit of democracy. Despite this, the fundamental principles of freedom, equality, justice, and fraternity remain at risk, as religion moves away from its spiritual essence toward a focus on rituals and spectacle.
The education system also faced setbacks, with growing autonomy issues and the marginalization of knowledge. Ignorance, unfortunately, gained ground socially. On the economic front, India’s Global Hunger Index ranking worsened, and wealth inequality deepened, with 5% of the population owning 50% of the country’s wealth. The salaried class also experienced a significant decline in income, contributing to a growing sense of despair.
Despite these challenges, there is hope for 2025. A new year presents the opportunity to build a better future, where truth and justice prevail over hatred and lies. Though the journey may be difficult, there is confidence that eventually, truth will triumph. The wish for 2025 is for a year where the nation and its people find success and prosperity, guided by integrity and in the spirit of unity.
