When the Rubber Band Breaks

Almost all know that India and Pakistan don’t necessarily adore each other. Ever since partition in 1947, there have been constant border skirmishes and 3 major wars over the contested border in the northern most state of India, Jammu and Kashmir. For the last several decades, tensions have been present, but no heavy military action has taken place. But what happens, when the tensions overflow and both countries fail to hold their tongues? What happens when the rubber band breaks and the floodgates of violence open?

Well, if we are sticking with our rubber band analogy, someone gets hurt. Sadly, that is what we can see in the region today.

I will try to describe the past events as objectively as possible, in the interest of maintaining my relationships with my Indian readers that could have a different opinion on the situation than I.

On February 14th, a vehicular suicide bomber clashed into a convoy of Indian troops, killing 41 and injuring 35 more. The bomber belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammed, an Islamic terrorist group based in Pakistan. Pakistan claimed no responsibility for the attack, but India claimed that Pakistan was directly responsible, as they, as said by India, “harbor and support various terror groups”. I can relay that tensions instantly rose, having seen instant calls over social media for India to strike back. I was asked personally by some, “Should India should destroy Pakistan or only kill a few instead?” As the Huffington post also said in a report of the situation, Mr. Modi, the current Prime Minister, does not want to appear weak with elections coming in May.

February 26th: India crossed the line of control, a large escalation, as the line has not been crossed for military reasons in about 30 years. Twelve Indian fighter jets dropped about 1,200 kilograms of explosives, claiming to target and successfully kill over 300 in terrorist training camps. Pakistan however, deemed the attacks futile. The next day, both countries took part in a dog fight in which two Pakistani jets were shot down as well as an Indian pilot captured. The pilot, named Abhinandan, was returned by Pakistan late Friday in a supposed gesture of peace.

So that’s it right? No. Artillery fire has continued and both countries continue to militarize forces. It is no doubt that I am living through what could be the beginning of the next major war in the world, and I have now directly experienced an interesting part of history and the Indian culture complex I have not seen before.

If you have any questions about my opinion or further details feel free to message me personally.

When I said I would make sure my life after exams became interesting, this isn’t really what I meant. However, I can admit, this span of few weeks will certainly be the most memorable part of my exchange. I have seen what it is like to live in a country that is having direct military conflicts, close to home, and I have learnt how to restrain myself when sharing my opinion on sensitive conflicts, something which, as many may know, I struggle with. It is no doubt this conflict has added unexpected changes, negative yet also interesting, to my life abroad.

On a more positive note, I made it! Exams have been successfully completed, and I believe that I performed well. It is a bittersweet statement, to say that I am no longer an Anand Niketan Satellite student. Indian school challenged me, both socially and academically, that is for sure. But, I guess, it will make my future explorations easier.

It is also a bittersweet statement to say that I am no longer a Bacon Academy student. (What?!?!) This year I applied to the Shelby Davis Scholarship (Two scholarships in one year???), which sends about 50 Americans to United World Colleges around the world. I am proud to announce that I have been selected to attend the United World College in Montezuma, New Mexico, all expenses paid. The school is not a college itself, but a two-year advanced study program, that runs on the International Baccalaureate board. The school prides itself on having a diverse student body, and more than half of the student body and teachers come from different countries around the world. More info about the school can be found at https://www.uwc.org/usa. (Or text me I’d love to talk about it.) To my Colchester friends, I can say that I enjoyed my two and only years at the academy, and I will always look back at it with (mostly) fond memories.

I can say that I am overjoyed to be pursuing a further education that will supply me with a larger worldview. It is an understatement to say that I am looking forward to what the future holds.

This is a good time to explain how YES Abroad has, not only directly, but indirectly, affected my life. In my opinion, my initial application to YES was nothing special. My freshman transcript was par, and my essays were not jaw dropping. But in a stroke of luck, I was accepted. This, as I can see now, has allowed me to succeed in other aspects of my academic, personal, and social goals. I could never dream of attending a United World College if I had not been accepted to YES. I want to leave with this message, even if you think you’re not qualified for something, as I did, take a shot. If you fail, no harm done, but if you succeed, then it has the potential to change the course of your life.

I apologize for the length; I had a lot to say. In less than two months I will have returned to America, but I will address my feelings on that in the next post. See you all soon.

Only one picture this month, I have been focused on other things:

I only wish I could sleep this well: