Afghanistan - Hopes for a fresh start?

The latest developments in Afghanistan with the Taliban swiftly taking over the reins of power in that country have put the minds of many people in a tizzy. It is of course too early to say, but watching the body language during interviews and press conferences by Taliban leaders on 16th and 17th August, as also the use of phrases, suggest a certain sobriety in attitude and hence a glimmer of hope that things may be somewhat different this time. Somethings had changed - the twenty years since 2001 had possibly not gone entirely wasted. The TV footage, at least in major cities like Kabul, Herat, Kunduz, Mazar-i-Sharif and others over the last one year or so suggest the rapid steps that the people of Afghanistan have taken to turn this once backward country on the path to modernity. More women , more children are getting educated, better health facilities are coming up. And most interesting of all, if Afghans are playing cricket, there is hope yet. If 2021 is not the same as 2001 for Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Saudi Arabi, then there is little reason to believe that it would go in a contrary direction for Afghanistan. Even though there has been panic, especially in the Kabul airport, there have been no reprisals, no bloodbath, as on date. More than one TV journalist reported that things were fairly quyiet in Kabul, and interestingly some women-folk took out a protest to assert their demands in front of some Taliban militia. All said and done, it is the people of Afghnaistan who will have to decide - and this will take some years - in which direction they would like to take their country free of non-Afghan interference. One is strongly reminded of the repeated demands of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1930s and 40s to the British to leave India free to decide on her way ahead.