Let’s face it. ISIS isn’t only a threat to the gulf and middle eastern countries. The ISIS is a world threat. Sooner or later they will look to expand their geographic boundaries to realize their dream of having only Muslim population on the planet. We’ve fought Pakistan, we’ve fought China, we’ve fought terrorists, heck we’ve even fought ourselves. Isn’t it high time that India joined the coalition of countries uniting against the ISIS?

I mean, what’s the difference between a 5-year-old being murdered in ISIS dominated regions and a 5-year-old being murdered in India? - Nationality? Language? Religion? NO! nothing! There is no difference. Life is life irrespective of those factors. Why should we have to think before having to fight a war that will rid the planet of a growing threat. Is it only after a Paris like attack in India will we start thinking about India’s options to eliminate the ISIS? So many questions and yet no answers.

For how much more time shall we Indians pretend that news about the ISIS doesn’t strike fear, hatred and helplessness in our hearts? Deep down we all know this isn’t a war of France, Russia, USA vs ISIS. This is a war between good and evil. Sounds like the tag line of an epic tale, doesn’t it? Well, being Indian and learning about the stories of our fabled Gods- Ram, Krishna, etc. fighting evil for the sake of the world it would seem like all of us Indians are in the middle of an epic battle.

Everyone has a choice now. Fight or lay low and wait. What are we going to choose? Are we going to stay low and hope the spirit of destruction passes over us or are we going to respond to the call of that 5-year-old child who’s living in fear every day of his/her life?

So if you’ve understood why it’s so important for us to fight the ISIS together, let me ask you a real question. A question you may hesitate to answer. A question that will make you think of all the people you love before you can answer. A question that you may have already asked yourself.

What are you willing to do to fight for a global cause?

Before I take you to the part where your contribution i.e. the common man’s contribution will matter, let’s first take a look on what the government of India can do to help the coalition of nations against the ISIS threat.

1. Launch airstrikes to reduce the ISIS militants’ population significantly.
2. Send in ammunition and supplies for the militaries of various nations.
3. Send in heavy military equipment for the militaries of various nations.
4. Use the power of the Indian navy to attack from a safe distance.
5. Provide medical relief to the civilians affected by the war.
6. Provide food and other basic necessities for the civilians affected by the war.
7. Evacuate civilians to provide them temporary refuge in other nations including our own.

These are just some of the things that I could think of. And I know for sure that it is very much possible to accomplish all of these objectives, if we so desired. Let’s keep the parliament and politics aside and join hands to make this world a better place.

Now, as bystanders to the mass murder that’s happening in the war torn regions of Iraq and Syria, what can me and you possibly do?

What if I said that you could help the innocent people of the ISIS affected areas in just as low as Rs. 50 per month, would you do it? Would you be ready to sacrifice a chips packet or a mobile recharge to donate that money to a noble cause? If you’re still divided on that, let me show you how powerful your Rs. 50 is.

So according to various articles over the internet, it takes about Rs. 5,000 – 10,000 crores to fight a war. The current population in India is 125.2 crores. If even half of these Indians contribute just Rs. 50 per month to fight the ISIS, the Indian government will get an additional Rs. 3,137.5 crores EVERY MONTH. Yes, you read that right, every month the government will be able to spend at the least about Rs. 3,137.5 crores to the various objectives that I mentioned above.

With this money, the people affected by the ISIS can get food, clothing & shelter and possibly a means to build a new life. Interesting to know, right? Rs. 50 for you could mean life for someone else.

It is my sincerest desire that the Indian government open up such a portal where responsible and sensitive humans can contribute a miniscule portion of their income every month to give the joy of life to someone suffering miles away. In my closing paragraph I’d like to quote the lyrics of a song originally sung by late Michael Jackson:

“There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We all are a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand
 
When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well...well...well
Let's realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one”
-We are the world, Michael Jackson