Events that made World look East

The limelight had been on Asia last decade however hard one tries to conceal that. Be it the good side or the bad one, Asia had been in news for the last one decade. This articles is not just because I have to write on Asia, but this discussion cannot be left ignored, when the superpowers are rising on this side. So checking into the events that led to this radical change and the important ones that changed the continent.

1. September 11, 2001: World Trade Center under collapsed leading to the mischievous (un)popularity of the new political power- Al Qaeda. This event leads to the need for a political corrective force in the region which would be whole heartedly supported by the Western powers. Money began pouring in and the gainers were none other than the Asian superpowers on the rising (once called developing powers). The losers of  course were the people of Afghanistan and Iraq as well as the world policeman. The post-war development also saw the competition between Asian nations to grab the opportunities at hand.

2. Indian Ocean Tsunami: A catastrophe that struck the whole Indian Ocean rim states as well as parts of Africa. No other disaster as unimaginable in magnitude and destruction could be identified in the past one decade. More than 2 lakhs of lives lost and billions worth properties and land destroyed. Island geographies changed entirely.

But the sunshine was present on the other side. It was where all of it started. India denying the US aid and in turn providing grant to other neighbors who were worst stuck.

3. Cup of coffee over the moon: Though it was a NASA probe that found water on moon, it was widely acclaimed to be of Indian technology behind it. The credit went not to the 34% Indian working force of NASA, but to the indigenous design of the Lunar launching vehicle and data receiving system which bagged the stardom. It was a small rise for the global science, but a big one for Indian and space science.

4. Oscar glory: Slumdog millionaire music was perhaps the worst one composed by A.R. Rahman. But all the glory was stolen by this man. Bagging three Oscars a year by Indians showed 2 things, though the film was a grim reminder of what the poor India is. Firstly, the world began noticing our culture and secondly, they need the East now, even for the Oscars are to continue hold its upperhand.

5. Faster, Stronger, Higher: It is in short what China acquired in few years. Derailing the American sprint express and the Australian sports glory China is now the superpower in sports. Not forgetting the most brilliant Olympic show ever held in the globe. It was a dream for the Chinese and it was a nightmare for the rest.

6. Credit crisis: The world gripping in turmoil, depression of wallets and power, its was all 2009 was about. The gainers were the exclusive business doers of the Asian continent who independent of the US aid developed their own identity. Booming business in Asia during the time was truly a reminder for the present powers of what is to come forth in the years.

7. Over the climate: The Copenhagen climate stole the show for the later part of 2009 and it was grabbed by the authority of the BASIC nations- Brazil, South Africa, India and China. The summit gave no cakes to the US and Eurpean Union but was baked by the grim outcome.

8. Banglored: The new word was added to the Oxford dictionary coining to the losing of job for the business getsoutsourced to India or China. BPO was the decades greatest economic liability to the United States and still haunts the country. The lighter side is that Vatican outsources its testimonial prayers to Indian and Phillipine churches. It was a decade of acquisitions. Tata Steel carving on to the Corus steel, Tata motors on to Jaguar and Landrover, Videocon over National and goes on. Cross-continent mergers and acquisitions shattered the confidence of the one half of the world, while it added to the might of the other half.

9. City from sands: The oil power of the Middle East with the aid of the United States saw the rise of the wealthiest cities which would be the future. Wondering about its future is of no use, the future belongs to them. Dubai, the wealthier bet is more than a mirage.

10. .edu: The orientals are going on to capture the world not with its military power, but the brain power and cultural power. The educated Indians and Chinese would grab the better half of next decade. Bollywood is slowly growing into a cultural superpower on its own.

A decade of less wars and lesser peace is over. A decade of strength and productivity is beginning. One half propels forward while the other looks on. Wishing a joyful New Year to all the readers.

Posted by Aasems Jacob on January 3, 2010. Filed under International News,News,Opinion Editorial,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.