As we approach Christmas and head towards another new year, which is just around the corner now, I am reminded of the famous song by John Lennon – So This Is Christmas. For those who may not be familiar with the song, I am embedding the YouTube link below.

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let’s hope it’s a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The war is so long
And so happy Christmas…

Another Christmas is upon us. Let us look forward to living in a world where women are respected. Let us look forward to a world where there are NO RAPES. Let us look forward to a world where women can live without fear.

We have survived what was supposed to be the end of the world. Life goes on as usual. Yet, for one girl, it will never be life again “as usual”. Yes, I refer to the recent gang-rape of a young woman in the capital, which is a national shame for all of us. The brutally barbaric and inhuman act makes one shudder and wonder what kind of world we live in. It is a sad state of affairs where women are treated like toys and sex objects, to be used and discarded at will.  We live in a world where animal instincts rule. We live in a world where our women have to wage a daily war against such elements and have to always watch their backs. We live in a world where there is no respect or fear of the law, and where women have no faith or confidence in the law and those who are supposed to enforce the law. We live in a world that is so full of chaos of our own making. We live in a world where people have to take to the streets in anger before their voice is heard by those who govern us.

Let us, instead, look forward to creating a world where our sisters, mothers, wives and daughters can live without being stalked and molested, where they can live with dignity. Let us look forward to a world where children are brought up to respect women and elders and also taught the meaning of chivalry. Let us look forward to a world where they not only learn to treat women as equals, but also learn to protect them when we see them being targeted.

But above all, let us also take a few minutes to pray for the recovery of the rape victim, who is currently fighting for her very life in the hospital, and let us hope that she survives to see another Christmas, because for her, and for all women like her, the war is still on.

This Christmas, let us hope for a new, more peaceful world. Let us hope and pray for an end to the wars. Let us look forward to living in a world where people learn to live in peace. Let us look forward to world where people respect each other. Let us look forward to a world where there is no violence. Let us look forward to a world where there is laughter and joy and freedom to follow your dreams.

Let us look forward to HOPE.