Time is a fundamental concept that governs everything in the universe. It’s a journey that never stops and has no destination or pause. It’s essential to understand that every action, event, and occurrence is bound by time, and travelling back through is impossible.
The passing of time brings forth new opportunities, experiences, and challenges. Sometimes these experiences are good, and sometimes they are wrong. It’s critical to recognise the value of time and make the most of every moment.
As we welcome the new year 2024, it’s a time to reflect on the previous year’s events. 2023 was marked by significant natural disasters, war conflicts, and global crises, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the year also saw remarkable achievements and adventures, such as space travel and new scientific discoveries.
It’s natural for people to wonder what the new year will bring and whether it will be a good or bad time. Therefore, it’s crucial to analyse the past year’s significant issues with global impacts. These issues include climate change, social justice, political instability, and economic inequality. Reflecting on these issues can help us learn from the past and pave the way for a better future.
In conclusion, time is a precious commodity that should be used wisely. As we start the new year, we should be mindful of the past and strive to make the most of every moment. By reflecting on the significant issues of the previous year, we can make informed decisions and work towards a better tomorrow.
01. Russia – Ukraine war
The events that transpired in February 2022 are deeply troubling. The Russian invasion of Ukraine sparked a conflict that has raged on throughout 2023, causing immense suffering and loss of life for both nations. The people of Ukraine and Russia are hoping for an end to the conflict soon, and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones or have been affected by this war in any way. According to the United Nations, over 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives, and more than 5,000 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have also died. We stand with them during this difficult time and hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
02. Turkey-Syria earthquake
In the early hours of February 06, a series of earthquakes shook the earth, catching people off guard while they were sleeping. The devastating shocks resulted in the loss of 67,000 precious lives. The earthquake’s epicentre was in the Antalya region of Turkey, where most of the destruction was reported. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck the region, causing the collapse of thousands of buildings in Turkey and Syria.
The earthquake’s impact was severe, and search and rescue operations were carried out continuously for days. The rescue team worked tirelessly to save as many lives as possible. It is believed that many people were trapped in the rubble and were gasping for breath, hoping to be rescued. Unfortunately, some of these individuals may have been buried alive, unable to escape the debris.
The tragedy resulted in the death of 59,000 individuals in southern and central Turkey and 8,000 individuals in Syria. The loss of life was devastating, and many families were left grieving for their loved ones. The earthquake was the most powerful to hit Turkey since 1939, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
03. Population growth in India
On April 24th, India overtook China to become the most populous country in the world, with a population of 1.4286 billion (142.86 crore). This represents a significant milestone for India, which has been experiencing steady population growth over the past decade, driven in part by a high birth rate and improvements in healthcare.
The density of its young population sets India apart from other highly populated countries. According to the United Nations, 68% of India’s population is in the working age group of 15-64, a higher percentage than other countries with large populations. This demographic has been a driving force behind India’s rapid economic growth in recent years, as a large pool of young workers has contributed to the country’s workforce and innovation.
Furthermore, India’s youthful population has also influenced the country’s adoption of new technologies and digital platforms, as young people are more likely to be tech-savvy and embrace new technologies. This has led to a surge in startups and entrepreneurship, with India now being home to a thriving tech industry that is rapidly expanding.
04. Coronation of King Charles III
Following the demise of Queen Elizabeth II, the throne of Britain was passed on to Prince Charles, who was then crowned as King Charles III. The coronation ceremony took place on the 6th of May, marking the beginning of his reign as the new monarch. The event was attended by royal family members, dignitaries, and guests from various nations. It was a solemn and historic occasion steeped in age-old traditions and customs passed down from generation to generation. As King Charles III assumed the mantle of leadership, the nation looked forward to a new era under his wise and just rule.
05. The sinking of the Titan submarine that shocked the world
A unique project was launched to explore the remains of the infamous Titanic, which sank 111 years ago, on April 15, 1912. The project was led by a team of five individuals, including billionaire businessmen, marine technology experts, and oceanic historians.
The team used the cutting-edge Titan submarine, a deep-sea exploration vehicle, to dive to the bottom of the North Atlantic Sea, where the Titanic had sunk. Unfortunately, the Titan submarine also disappeared in an accident during the expedition, which shocked the world.
After several days of operations, the team found parts of the wrecked submarine buried in the sea, which is 12,000 feet deep. The team used advanced underwater technology and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to search for the missing parts of the Titan submarine. They discovered several pieces of debris, including the propeller, tail, and other submarine parts.
During the search for the Titan submarine, the explorers also found parts of the Titanic submarine about 500 meters away from the site of the Titanic wreckage. The explorers mentioned that the parts found could be crucial in understanding the events that led to the sinking of the Titanic. They also emphasised that discovering the debris from the Titan submarine would help improve the safety of deep-sea exploration in the future.
06. Imran Khan arrested
Former cricketer and former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, who was very famous as a politician, was arrested. It was August 5th. The court declared him guilty under the offence of not disclosing the gifts received from abroad during his tenure as Prime Minister. According to Pakistani law, Khan was arrested. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison and banned from politics for five years. Due to the decisions taken regarding Imran Khan, there were conflict situations in Pakistan, and a curfew had to be imposed to control the situation. However, after the court order, Imran Khan’s followers also retreated during or after their arrest. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who stayed in London for four years due to the confusion regarding Imran Khan, was given the opportunity to return to Pakistan.
Imran Khan said in court that he is not guilty of those charges. Pakistan’s next general election is scheduled to be held in February. However, due to the pile of cases against Khan and the prison sentence, he will lose the chance to contest the election, according to Pakistani reports.
07. India’s successful moon mission
On August 23, India made history by successfully launching Chandrayaan-3, a spacecraft targeting the southern part of the Moon. This mission marks a milestone for India, as it became the first country to explore the previously uncharted southern region of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-3 aims to study the lunar surface, mineralogy, and atmosphere and to collect data about the Moon’s origin and evolution. The spacecraft carries a suite of scientific instruments, including a high-resolution camera, a spectrometer, and a radar.
The successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 also made India the fourth country to send a spacecraft to the Moon, following the Soviet Union, the United States, and China. This achievement is a testament to India’s growing space capabilities and commitment to scientific exploration.
The mission’s success results from the efforts of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which has been at the forefront of India’s space program since its inception in 1969. The ISRO has designed and built many satellites, launched numerous missions, and played a critical role in advancing India’s space technology.
Chandrayaan-3’s successful launch is a significant achievement for India and a testament to its growing technological prowess. The mission is expected to yield valuable scientific data to deepen our understanding of the Moon and its place in the solar system.
08. Disruption of relations between India and Canada
The year 2023 can be termed as a year in which the diplomatic relations between India and Canada deteriorated markedly. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was working to create a Khalistan in India, was killed in Canada. The slain Nijjar was also the head of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sikh Temple in Surrey, Canada.
It was a botched killing, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that it might have been an act with an Indian connection. However, India strongly rejected that statement and said the Canadian Prime Minister had made statements without thinking far.
Condemning the accusation of the Canadian Prime Minister, India responded by closing many Indian embassies in Canada. Accordingly, steps were also taken to suspend Indian visa services in Canada.
09. The Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza began
On October 7, Hamas fighters invaded Israel, and Israel invaded Gaza in response. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that Hamas fighters will be massacred. The United Nations announced that over 25,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed in the Israeli airstrikes and relentless attacks on the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands have been injured, and 90% of Gaza’s residents are now displaced or refugees due to the encirclement and attacks. According to the country’s statistics, about 1200 Israelis were killed in the attack on October 7. In that attack, about 240 Israelis became hostages, and Hamas fighters took steps to take them to the Gaza Strip. Nearly half of them were released during the cease-fire in early December. However, the attacks aimed at Gaza are continuing more strongly.
10. Earthquakes in Afghanistan
On October 7, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake occurred in the western part of Afghanistan, a great tragedy. After that, there were many shocks. Again, on October 11th, an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 occurred in the nearby area, and the country was in an unsafe situation until October 14th. Over 1480 people lost their lives in the two strong earthquakes.
11. Nepal Earthquake
On November 3, a strong earthquake occurred in Ramidanda, which is located in the West of Nepal, and the number of people who died was 150. Hundreds more were injured in what was also reported as the country’s deadliest earthquake since 2015.
12. North Korea’s missile tests
North Korea has been testing various types of missiles, further strengthening the war fears created globally. On December 17, they tested an ICBM-class missile that could land anywhere in America, an event that shocked the West. The year 2023 can also be identified as the year North Korea tested the highest number of missiles.
13. Shootings and killings in America
It was possible to observe these conditions throughout the year 2023. Accordingly, in 2023 alone, 40,167 people have died in shootings in America. The American government also acknowledges that this is a terrible social situation. It was found that at least 100 people die every day due to shootings. Meanwhile, serious situations were created in America due to suicides. In the year 2023 alone, the number of suicide incidents reported is 22,506. At least 60 suicide cases per day have been reported in America.
One thousand three hundred six of those killed in the shooting were youths, and another 276 were children. Meanwhile, mass shootings in which more than four people are killed at the same time have doubled in 2023. Six hundred thirty-two mass shootings have been reported, and the number of people who died in those shootings is 597.
14. Floods, hurricanes and inclement weather
September 2023 Cyclones and floods severely affected ten countries in 12 days. Libya had a terrible experience, and the number of deaths reported in the country due to natural disasters exceeded 11,000. The number of missing is thousands.
The countries of Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria also faced severe dangers due to Hurricane Daniel. It can be termed an accident in which lives and property were damaged significantly. The United Nations has also indicated that it will last for a considerable period. Providing economic facilities in the face of ongoing war conflicts and increasing natural disasters can also become challenging. As the world economy is at risk, collecting the necessary funds for humanitarian aid for the year 2024 has also become a problem, the UN Humanitarian Aid Committee has emphasised.
15. Elections in many countries
Significant elections are scheduled to be held in many countries in 2024. Bangladesh’s general election is scheduled to be held in January, and this situation has also led to increased political violence in the country. Sheikh Hasina has now become a leader who has ruled the country for 19 years. In that situation, there are suggestions that she should leave politics.
Meanwhile, many elections, including presidential elections, are scheduled in 2024 in many countries, including Pakistan, India, America, Sri Lanka, and Russia.
16. The world economy is at risk
The Covid epidemic has weakened the world economy. The United Nations Organization has also indicated that the impact of this situation will last for a considerable period. Providing economic facilities in the face of ongoing war conflicts and increasing natural disasters can also become challenging. As the world economy is at risk, collecting the necessary funds for humanitarian aid for the year 2024 has also become a problem, the UN Humanitarian Aid Committee has emphasised.
