"My son asks are we safe?" said a mother to another. What happened later was not what I had expected. After a short spell of silence the other lady said "as long as it is not the third world war"
War scares us all. To such an extent that we all dare ourselves to live happily or even think about happiness. But amidst this crisis we overlook the fear of our kids. We rarely try to know what impact war has on their mind. A child may not be able to understand terms like World War 3, nuclear attack, raids, shelling, but getting exposed to such terms innocently will do no good. It is always said that a child should be properly educated. Adequate education comes with age and understanding but what shapes a child is the right dimension of education.
The last seven days have been harrowing. There is not a single minute in a day when you don't hear about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, videos showing Indian students stranded in Ukraine, top leaders holding high level meetings in view of the situation, and regular attempts being made to bring back the citizens to the motherland.
News on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is everywhere. Just as you are consuming the news, so are your kids.
Here are some commonly asked questions on the Russia-Ukraine conflict that can be easily explained to a child.
What is the issue between Russia and Ukraine?
Russia and Ukraine are currently in a state of war. On February 24, 2022 Russia President Vladimir Putin launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have been hostile to each other since Ukraine's independence in 1991. Before 1991, Ukraine was an important part of Russian empire. The situation got out of control in 2021. The current President of Ukraine, former comic actor Volodymyr Zelenskiy was elected in 2019 and in January 2021 he appealed to US President Joe Biden to let Ukraine join NATO which was a promise made to Ukraine in 2008. Following this, Russia started sending troops near its Ukraine border saying it to be for "training exercises" and on February 24, it launched an invasion of Ukraine.What is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization also known as NATO is a military alliance between 28 European countries and 2 North American countries. It was established on APril 4, 1949, years after World War II ended.The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is linked to Ukraine's request to the US to join NATO. In 2008, NATO had promised Ukraine membership.How will it hurt Russia if Ukraine is made a part of NATO?
It is obvious that the Russian government doesn't see Ukraine's NATO membership as a good sign. As per reports, President Putin has made clear that he sees the country’s aspirations to join the group as a threat to Russia’s borders and its sphere of influence. Five NATO members border Russia.As of now, both Russia and Ukraine are not members of NATO.Why is Russia hostile to Ukraine?
There are several reasons for it. Russia has always resisted Ukraine's move to the European Union and NATO. President Putin has always said that Ukraine has been taken over by extremists, ever since the pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in 2014.Was Ukraine a part of Russia?
Ukraine was a part of the Russian empire long ago before both of them became a part of the USSR. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, became a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922. The Soviet Union or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR was the largest country in the world and existed from 1922 to 1991 with Moscow as its capital. Political and ethnic disintegration led to the dissolution of the USSR as a sovereign state. In 1991 after the USSR dissolved, Ukraine became an independent country. When did Ukraine become independent?
In 1991, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine became an independent state. But as a former Soviet Republic, it has cultural ties with Russia. However, after February 24, the relationship between Ukraine and Russia has worsened.What was Ukraine called before its independence?
Before being independent, Ukraine was known as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic.Which nations support Ukraine?
NATO alliance members including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France are lending support to Ukraine.Which nations support Russia?
Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela are extending support to the Russian government.What is India's stand in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
The Indian government has called for a diplomatic way out of the ongoing crisis. On March 1, in a telephonic conversation with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. He reiterated India’s appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. He also spoke about efforts being made by India to send urgent relief supplies, including medicines, to the affected areas.Is any Indian student killed in Ukraine?
Yes. Six days into the war, an Indian student from Karnataka was killed. A 21-year-old Indian medical student in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv near the Russian border is the country's first casualty in the war.
