Professor M. S. Rao’s Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders : October 2016

“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

It is untimely to write an article of this kind imploring both India and Pakistan to stay united and collaborate especially when the tensions are high across the Indo-Pakistan border. At the same time, it is timely to write an article to preach and practice non-violence and truth on the eve of Gandhiji’s birth anniversary which is celebrated on October 02 every year. First let us address the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in today’s world.

Is Mahatma Gandhi’s Philosophy Relevant in Today’s World?

After the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi many people opined that Gandhi would be forgotten soon and his ideologies would fade away quickly. However, Gandhi and Gandhism still lives in the hearts and minds of not only Indians but also the people across the world. He is not only a national leader but also an international leader who influenced many leaders including 6 Nobel laureates for Peace ― Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Adolfo Perez Esquivel and Barack Obama.

India and Pakistan must Collaborate to Grow as a Super Power

Mahatma Gandhi was against the partition of India. He always strove for unity among all religions and communities. He wanted both Pakistanis and Indians to live like brothers. It is time for these countries to join together to make a better world. Pakistanis admire Indian film stars and Indians admire Pakistani singers. Why not to have a synergy between both of us? Let us forget our unpleasant past. Let us start our life on a clean slate. Both India and Pakistan have brotherly relations for many years, and they cannot be separated by these politicians through geographical borders.

The leaders who divided people are always villains while the leaders who united people are always the heroes. When you look at Abraham Lincoln who was the first Republican President and the 16th President of America, he led during the turbulent times of Civil War in America and became a hero because he emphasized the unity of America and finally achieved it.

The politicians from India and Pakistan were responsible for the division of India into two parts. It was Mahatma Gandhi who pioneered the unity of India and Pakistan. When you look at Pakistan, it could not grow rapidly due to division. If India and Pakistan remained as one country, we would have grown as a super power by now. It is unfortunate that the political leaders from India and Pakistan often indulge in rhetoric against each other to incite people to cover up their internal incapacities. These games must be checked. All efforts must be made to bring both brothers together.

Competition kills while collaboration thrills. India and Pakistan must collaborate to grow in all aspects to build a better world. Conflicts bring ill-will among the people. Hence, bringing both Pakistan and India under one platform is always good for both India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan must collaborate forgetting their unpleasant past. The Indians and the Pakistanis are alike in attitude and mindset. They are like brothers. The only difference is the religion. But there are many religions in India who live together under one roof with peace and harmony. Hence, it is very much possible for both Indians and Pakistanis to unite and live like brothers. We lived together for many years. We have been separated for only 69 years. When Germany could unite as one nation, why not India and Pakistan unite as one nation? Remember, everything is possible in the world. A right educational system presenting both countries in a positive perspective will pave the way for collaboration and unity between these two countries. Indians and Pakistanis must avoid antagonistic attitude against each other to unite under one platform to become a great country and a super power in the world. To summarize, India and Pakistan are like brothers who have been separated by politicians. They have similar culture, attitude and value system. They lived together for many years. They share similar culture and value system. Separation of India and Pakistan is only a geographical one, not psychological one. Both must work together to achieve peace and prosperity.

Surgical Strikes and Tensions across Indo-Pak Border

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.” ― Nelson Mandela

Currently the emotions are running high in both countries after the Uri attacks. What is essential now is reason, logic and analysis rather than being carried away by emotions.

While I appreciate the initiative taken by our beloved Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to conduct surgical air strikes, I implore him to exercise restraint as we Indians demonstrated our might by avenging for Uri attacks. War is not the solution for any country in the world. As a follower of Mahatma Gandhi, I sincerely believe that dialogue is the only solution. If war is declared it does no good for both India and Pakistan. It is beneficial for China and US. Are we here to benefit others? Are we here to progress? We must think.

Mahatma Gandhi is Mortal and his Philosophy is Immortal

I am a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda. 26 years ago, I read Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth when I was serving in Indian Air Force. I was inspired by his ideas and ideals. I learned many things from this great soul such as walking the talk, caring for others, respecting women, emphasizing right means to achieve ends, and leading a simple life.

Mahatma Gandhi’s impact on mankind is eternal. His ideals and ideas are immortal. In a nutshell, his principles are eternal and his leadership is everlasting. The global citizens must contribute their best without craving for any recognition, and take a pledge to inculcate his principles and philosophies to build a better world.

Conclusion

Hatred doesn’t have any place in the world. Love is the only way to connect with the world. Love breaks all barriers including political, social, cultural, religious, racial and national. We are all the branches of one tree. The root is one. The world is our root; branches are the nations; and leaves are the people. Let us appreciate the fact that we all have originated from one place and we all belong to one family. Hence, the whole world is one family. Although we are separated by regions, nations, and borders people remain the same at the core level. The children are born innocent but the environment brings them up as per their faiths, regions, religions and nations. Hence, let us focus on bringing the children with a global mindset with a universal brotherhood to achieve the ultimate objective of global peace and prosperity.

“War does not determine who is right - only who is left.” ― Bertrand Russell

Note: This article has been adapted from my upcoming book ‘Professor M.S.Rao’s Vision 2030: One Million Global Leaders’. Kiran Bedi wrote foreword. I dedicated this book to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Read free chapters http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in/2015/07/sample-chapter-professor-msraos.html

References

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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao, India

Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India

Recipient of 10^th International Prestigious Sardar Patel Award―2015

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