“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 10th International Prestigious Sardar Patel Award―2015
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