As I sit down to pen the last editorial comment of the year for The Indian Panorama, a few days before the end of the year, on December 27 evening, to be exact, my thoughts go to millions across the world who suffered on account of Nature’s fury, or were subjected to man’s inhumanity, in 2018.

I think of the wild fires in California which, besides causing colossal damage to property and displacement of people, caused hundreds of deaths. The earthquake and Tsunamis which struck Indonesia  on two occasions in 2018 , mowed down  hundreds of lives and caused huge damage to property. The volcanic eruptions in some parts of the world were responsible for much loss of life and property. Then,  all the storms and hurricanes in US and elsewhere, mudslides and floods in Japan, dust storm in India, and many other natural calamities in various parts of the world played havoc with human life.

I am also reminded of the destruction and misery caused by man which is much greater in proportion than Nature’s wrath could cause. In the armed conflicts across the world hundreds and thousands of lives have been lost .Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen have killed thousands. In 2018 alone, some 40,000 have lost life in Afghanistan; 5000 in Iraq; 30000 in Syrian Civil war; 25000 in Yemen. Then there are many countries having internal conflicts which caused a heavy loss of human life, besides bringing misery to many more.

Mass shootings in USA in 2018  which included shootings in schools and public places, numbered more than 300 and claimed lives of thousands who ranged from school going small kids of 5 to old people.

On this day, I remember all those who fell to Nature’s fury or man’s madness and pray for their souls. For all the sufferings of the people affected by the unfortunate incidents of 2018, I have deep regret and great sympathy. For all their sufferings, I have prayers to make  that it does not happen again with God’s own people.

I have also to make an appeal to rulers  all over the world to always keep in mind that their first obligation is to people and their wellbeing. Let them not sow the seeds of conflicts to satisfy their ego and please themselves. Let them work to ensure that peace alone prevails.

However, let me add,  2018 has not only been a year of terrible suffering for many; there have been considerable achievements and accomplishments to be proud of. Scientists and technologists made new discoveries, including that there is mineable ice on Mars, and  there is  a way to grow vegetables without earth or daylight. Many more. And many more in various other spheres.

We will follow up with details of what 2018 meant to the world, in our New Year special edition next week.

For now, it is adieu 2018 .