Going back to move forward
Mahatma Gandhi, like Jesus, exemplified a non-violent way to promote peace, says AVERTHANUS L D’SOUZA
It has become conventional at the end of the year for newspapers, magazines and TV channels to present their readers and viewers with a retrospective of the year, just past and to remind them, of some of the highlights of the year — events which had a notable impact on the public. This is a good practice which needs to be emulated by corporate business houses and governments.
The Catholic Church has always recommended such an ‘examination of conscience’ for its members at the close of each day. It is important to review one’s thoughts, desires and actions during the day and to evaluate the moral status of these, before going to sleep. Resolutions based on such examinations, are practical and salutary.
It is from this practice, that the common notion of New Year’s resolutions has emerged, but unfortunately, it has been superficialised to making resolutions, like giving up smoking or drinking; taking a greater interest in cultural pursuits etc. Somehow, the practice of reviewing one’s actions of the past year and making resolutions for the New Year, have become mere fashion, like the wearing of jeans or shoes of one company, or perfumes of another.
What is really needed is a collective evaluation of the performance of public institutions such as the government, the judiciary, the educational system, and the institutions of social welfare, voluntary organisations and the like.
Many public institutions have internalised practices and values, which are harmful to society and to social institutions like the family, the school, the university and other institutions of higher learning. These collective social practices form the core of what is commonly called the ‘culture’ of the institution or of the society. Some practices have become entrenched solely because they ‘bring in the moolah’ or enrich the business house, irrespective of the damage that is done to society, in general or to the physical and cultural environment.
After years of such deleterious business practices, the world suddenly awakes to the understanding of the relationship between these practices and the social and environmental impacts.
For example, the uncontrolled mining of mineral ores from the bosom of the earth has led to the destruction of forests, the pollution of underground water sources, and above ground water bodies such as lakes, rivers, springs etc., and a general deterioration of the health of the environment, as well as the health of the citizens. As soon as this consciousness becomes widespread, the citizens rise up in protest and begin agitating against official policies and practices, which are responsible for their discomfort.
The promotion of certain industries and the setting up of certain kinds of factories should always be tested against the touchstone of social justice, and the achievement of the common good. Smaller social groups can only control their activities, which affect a smaller environment. It is the role – and duty – of a government to ensure that private enterprise always conforms to the promotion of the common good.
This involves the formulation of policies at the level of the state or of the federal government. The effect of shoddy planning becomes painfully evident, in crises such as the rise in prices of essential food commodities. That people have to buy onions at between Rs60 and Rs70 a kilo, only a few months after they had been purchasing them between Rs5 and Rs8 per kilo, speaks volumes of the infiltration of social injustice in our economic system.
The increase in the use and commercial transaction of drugs and other harmful substances in the name of tourism, is another indication of the failure of the government, to get its priorities right. The biggest failure of the government is evident in the sudden escalation of crimes of all sorts, including the rapes and murders of foreign tourists, the induction of minor girls in the prostitution trade, the smuggling of people across state borders for questionable purposes, such as slave labour. The approach of the government to these social problems is clearly blinkered and myopic. It allows (and even actively collaborates in) the proliferation of gambling, prostitution, and other social vices in the name of increasing its income. We have built up an entire social and political edifice on practices, which can only destroy a healthy society.
The time is ripe for an open and honest examination of our social conscience. Is this the kind of society that we want? Is this the kind of society that will promote virtues and healthy lifestyles for our children and grandchildren?
Jesus proclaimed loudly: “Change your ways; the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matt.4:17) Our economic, social and political situation is not dissimilar from that which prevailed 2,000 years ago. We are still wandering in the desert of uncertainty, about the future, about our origin, and our final destiny. We have placed our confidence in false prophets, and in devious messengers of peace, brotherhood and progress.
In the guise of promoting freedom, some dubious “freedom fighters” are sowing the seeds of hatred and intolerance. They are propagating an attitude of “we” against “they.” They continue to tilt at windmills, which they perceive as nasty giants, which are determined to deprive them of their freedom. Their preferred path of freedom is the path of confrontation. Only they have the master plan to which everyone else must conform. They are the only ones who know what true “nationalism” is. They are determined to exterminate those, who do not agree with their definition of true nationalism.
The month of January is notable, for the fact, that the apostle of non-violence sacrificed his life, in pursuit of his mission. Recent Popes have dedicated this month, as the month of peace for all. The world day of peace is celebrated throughout the world on the 1st. of January, but in India, 30th January, is in remembrance of the unique contribution which Mahatma Gandhi made towards the promotion of tolerance, inter-religious goodwill and non imposition of views, on unwilling persons. He, like Jesus, gave us the example of a non-violent way to promote peace and harmony.
In times of crises, like the present times, we look for leaders and prophets to get us out of the mess, which we have created for ourselves. But the solution can never be imposed from outside. It has to come from inside ourselves. Each individual has to “resolve” to make his own unique contribution to the promotion of peace, goodwill and justice in society. No one can substitute us, in the building up of the kingdom. The time for repentance, is at hand.
We need to ask forgiveness from God, the angels and saints and “you, my brothers and sisters” for the sins of commission and omission — for what I have done and for what I have failed to do — so that the peace, which defies all understanding,will come upon all of us.
