Ins and Outs on United Nations Turning 80

It was on 24th day of October 2025, the historical United Nations completed 80 years of services towards global citizens as well as to indigenous people of India. The UN was set up in the above year with the objective to help millions of suffering humanity to bounce back in the mainstream of life. During the time of establishment of the United Nations, there was a mass uproar of World War 11 (from the years 1939-1945). Within this span of time, the entire globe was extremely unfortunate enough to lose Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in the year 1941 on August 7. The reason behind it was that he being an epitome of peace and sublime still is ingrained deeply in our mind. Not only India and Bangladesh are more involved towards Gurudev, the global citizens cutting across diverse continents, are deeply inclined towards the philosophy and moral values of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

The purpose of highlighting about Gurudev is that the founding of United Nations Organization on October 24, 2025, was deeply linked with the ideals and philosophies of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

The World War 11 came to a grinding halt way back in the year 1945 on September 2. Before I delve into details let throw light about the occurrence of World War 11 which subsequently led to the establishment of United Nation Organization way back in the year 1945 on October 24. In the midst of World War 11, the entire globe with profound sorrow and dismay lost Nobel Laureate in literature Rabindranath Tagore. After the end of World War 11, we evinced the establishment of the United Nations Organization.

Now let me touch upon the logic behind opening of the United Nation Organization. The aftermath of World War 11, spread out a message to the global citizens. That we should be saved from the massive trauma of World War 11, where we found that there was a mass dilapidation of humanity due to the impact of World War 11. Hence there was a consensus among prominent global statesmen around the globe to open an action-oriented group to restore proper world order and global peace. This paved the way towards the opening of the United Nations Organization way back in the year 1945 on October 24.

Now as per logical regarding the opening of UN is concerned, we find that a global forum seemed to be imminent which prompted the opening of UN on the above-mentioned date. But what was the logical reasoning behind opening of UNO. Now arriving at the key issue, I feel that UNO despite the political and social turmoil prevailing around the globe. But it sounds badly relevant. But why was it so?

Thus, we may reiterate that the logical reasoning behind opening of The Union Nation Organisation is to ensure creation of a global body which has the capability to move ahead with international peace and security, thereby preventing any further World War or Global War. During the recent past, the impact of some major vicious wars badly mars our efforts in initiating peace process. Another advocacy for opening United Nation Organization is to emphasize upon cooperation on global issues like human rights, social and economic welfare along with women empowerment. As the impact of World War 11 was so badly devastating hence with the establishment of UNO there was urgent bid to crave in for development from multiple aspects.

It is already known to us that the entire globe is in the midst of massive social and political stalemate. During the past couple of years major global wars like Russia Ukraine War, attach on Palestine and Hamas, India Pakistan War and later on heinous Bangladeshi political and social turmoil which badly demeaned our pride and prestige as one of the prominent global citizens. At the present juncture we find that the way Bangladeshi situation is turning to such a heinous state of affairs, leaves upon a striking point that are we residing in a civilized world or in an extreme savagery world. I found that in midst of that turmoil the role of UNO was absolutely a macabre affair. On account of that turmoil there was the loss of innumerable number of innocent human life. The family members who lost their kith and kind in the midst of those wars, they are the worst sufferers and victims. Tyrant sections of the societies are having a jocular life. Coming to the South Asian politics, we find that the situations in Bangladesh and Pakistan are extremely worrisome indeed.

The impact of Pakistani attack on Indian tourist spot of Pahalgam, in Kashmir was truly a horrific one. On account of the Pakistani attack on Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, the entire globe inclusive of India had been badly shaken up, which cast deep impact upon sorrowful Indian and global citizens. In lieu of Pahalgam attack by the dreadful Pakistani forces, Indian Army undertook a deadly airstrike. Till date this has created stigma in my mind and heart. On account of Indian retaliation there was huge loss of innocent human life which was beyond my comprehensive level.

On account of both the Bangladeshi and Pakistani issue, there was an expectation from South Asian citizens, that United Nations will at least open voices so as to pledge for peace and stability in both the above stated nations. Unfortunately, there was no response from UN. Rather we found that both UN and US raucously mess up the political and social stalemate in both nations.

In this sphere of event, the UN should have play a proactive role, but shocking part to evince that why they were so knavish to pay attention to this menacing phase. Publicly there are plaudits showered upon UN but in reality, we witness reverse picture. In this long span of decades, there were severe taciturn movements around the globe, but what about the role of United Nations in perspective to global peace and stability.

During the past eighty years, we find that United Nations played prolific roles in regard to promotion of international peace and security, human rights, sustainable development and global cooperation. It was through vast numbers of specialized agencies; UN has been instrumental to address wide range of global challenges starting from health to climate change and decolonization.

Now let me trace out what are the action points adopted by the UN during the past eight years of the forum’s tenure in global political and social life. Among all the actions adopted by the UN, some of the major ones are stated as follow:

Signing of the UN Charter in the year 1945 in San Francisco.
Creation of UN peace keeping operations.
Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Eradication of poverty across the globe, especially in South Asian Sub-Continent.
Eradication of smallpox through global vaccination campaigns.
Progress on women’s rights and gender equality.
The Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Developmental Goals.

So long I have tried to highlight about the basic aspects of UNO. Now my objective is to throw deep light on this global body. That how the global citizens have perceived United Nations organizations in its deepest introspection.

In order to throw light rosy picture about UNO is not my sole criteria. On every four years interval, UNO meets with all its member nations. Total number nations are 193. There might be more member nations, but whatever data I do have pertaining to United Nations, I have stated those data. The sessions are organized by The General Assembly.

Now let me examine about how the global citizens have perceived the functioning of UN during the past eighty years of its functioning.

Global citizens have mixed perceptions about United Nations Organization. There are many global citizens who trust UN as a powerful international bodies in comparison to other prominent bodies of such. So long the body played roles like restoration of peaceful and calm atmosphere, catering to various humanitarian aids and advocating generously for human rights. Still there has been some vehement criticisms initiated by some major blocks about bureaucracy and effectiveness about some conflicts. Recently political conflicts in Gaza, Ukrainian, Pakistani conflict with neighbouring India, political squabbling with Bangladesh (still going on) etc have drawn sharp criticism about the methodical and proper functioning of UN.

So long we noticed UN was treating South Asian problem just like a ping pong ball, but off late we have noted that the actions adopted by Indian Ministry of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar remarkably turned the fortune in favour of South Asia and India. Now we have noted with elation that both UN and US have started speaking about India’s need, especially about Bangladesh issue which is no doubt a matter of great concern. This is because the way the current Bangladesh stalemate is leading to at present, India badly needs the support of US, UN and other allied forces to settle down disputed issues with Dr. Muhammad Yunus who has been Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser since August 2024. In the same manner Pakistan should revive. Among other SAARC nations, Sri Lanka and Nepal are somehow carrying on their administration. This is because the people and administrators of the last-named nations are truly sincere and committed to steer their nations out of deep woods. Which is lacking badly in Bangladesh. That is why the South Asian Subcontinent welcomes dearly that United Nations should come forward in support of the continent’s peace and stability.

One point we should bear in mind that unless and until the stalemate in Bangladesh does not ease off, then Indian political situation will not at all improve, which is also inclusive of West Bengal (as this state under Indian Union is closeby to Bangladesh).

As we evince from close quarters, that the importance of UN will gain importance in the upcoming days of our life. The way the global scenario is leading to, it is the role of UN who will steer the global situation from a state of deep woods to a state of prosperity and elation. I could have send me the column just couple of days back. But as the current political situation in South Asian Subcontinent is extremely derisive, hence the delay took place.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.