A hungry Sunbird !

The last photo of the sunbird after feeding on the nectar from underneath the calyx, searching for more elsewhere in the flower caught my attention. It is unlikely that the bird will find nectar there. 

This happened after I read the editorial today in the Times of India newspaper in its Kochi edition, something that was disturbing! Under the title, 'Just Collateral Damage' the editorial pointed out some alarming and painful statistics. Let me quote: "In Ukraine, residential blocks are attacked with drones and missiles regularly. Russia allegedly took away 20,000 Ukrainian children. It has knocked out Ukrainian power infra every winter, to make non-combatants suffer. In Gaza, 2 million people-90% of population-are displaced or homeless. Did they have a hand in the Oct 2023 Hamas attack in Israel ? No, but they are "collateral damage". So are a million Lebanese....Trump and Bibi's excursion in Iran started with a 'mistaken' missile strike on a girl's school. Since then Iran has picked soft targets across West Asia, in Dubai, Quatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia. In our immediate neighbourhood, the open war between Pakistan and Afghanistan has killed hundreds of civilians, including patients at a Kabul hospital". 

Following the World War 2,  the awakened collective conscience of the nations established a Geneva Convention in 1949, specifying the do's and don'ts during war. Not to harm civilians was part of that provision in the convention. But it is breached habitually by several nations with no sense of caution, inhibition or regret! 

The Sunbird searching for nectar reminded me of thousands in the war zones, living hungry and homeless! They live searching for safety and  food! 

I wonder if the leaders who advocate and pursue war have had their conscience frozen by selfish pursuit to get what they want and take away from others their freedom, resources and rights! 

The editorial concluded with a caution and an appeal: "On current evidence, international humanitarian laws exist only on paper and countries that pushed them once-US and Russia as part of USSR - show cynical disregard for them now. But this absence of restraint in war should bother countries that are watching from sidelines. India, China, Japan, all of Europe, S.Africa, Canada, Brazil, should speak up. All is not fair in war. Not anymore".

Yes, I sense a call for response in that editorial!

A hymn by Fred Kaan came to my mind:

" For the healing of the nations, 

Lord we pray with one accord,

For a just and equal sharing,

Of the things that earth affords;

To a life of love in action 

Help us to rise and pledge our word.

Lead us forward into freedom

From despair Your world release,

That, redeemed from war and hatred,

All may come and go in peace. 

Show us how through care and goodness

Fear will die and hope increase.

All that kills abundant living,

Let it from earth be banned,

Pride of state, race or schooling,

Dogmas that obscure Your plan. 

In our common quest for justice 

May we hallow life's brief span..."

It was sighting the hungry Sunbird searching for nectar and not finding it as seen in the last photo, which awakened me to sense the thoughts within that were waiting to be born! 

Remembering the hungry and homeless in the war zone is not enough...more is needed! 

I wish that the cicil society awakens to protest against the dehumanisation caused by war! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)