Cuban Contributions

Nina: Nana, Nana.

Nana: What is it now?

Nina: Cuba.

Nana: Eh? Cuba, what?

Nina: Do you know why Cuba is in news recently?

Nana: Some Fidel Castro legacy? Socialism? Apparently even Bernie Sanders is impressed by the state of affairs in Cuba.

Nina: Of course, Bernie Sanders is impressed. He made democratic socialism sound cool. Cuba is yet to feel The Bern though. But that is not the point.

Nana: Then what is the point? Alexandra Ocasio-cortez? She is Bernie’s prodigy of course.

Nina: Not at all, this is about Cuba, not American politicians.

Nana: Ok, go ahead. Surprise me with yet another arcane fact.

Nina: This isn’t arcane at all. Cuba has one of the best healthcare systems in the world.

Nana: So?

Nina: So, they have been, since the start of the Corona pandemic, sending their doctors and medical personnel to less resourced countries in Central and South America as well as across the world to aid in the healthcare efforts, in the process, saving countless lives. They have done all this while denying the dreaded pandemic a foothold in Cuba.

Nana: Really?

Nina: Yes, this is a stellar example of a diplomatic and humanitarian effort having a stupendous impact in the real world and Cuba has tremendously grown in respect and stature for these efforts across the world nations in the past few months.

Nana: That’s indeed a change from hearing about Cuba being the poster child of socialism.

Nina: What’s wrong with it? It is just an idealogy. Just as communist China, democratic India and the many authoritarian regimes around the world. Ultimately it’s for the people of the nation to choose. Though, I am definitely biased towards a democratic style of functioning government.

Nana: Wow. Go, Cuba. So long, as I dont have to share these pakoras, I will praise them all you want. Now, shoo….

This post is a part of the #NinaAndNana series I co-host with Kanika G.