Humanity longs for peace today. No human being and for that matter no state in the world today can boast of enjoying peace. A person may have everything yet he feels insecure. A nation may be the most powerful in all respects yet it cannot guarantee the security of its people. In other words humanity today lives with fear and under tension. The history of human society is an experience of horror, fright and panic. Generations after generations have witnessed violence and war and hence worry, strain and anxiety have become a part and parcel of their lives. The same situation exists even in this 21st century.
Peace is a state of harmony. In a peaceful atmosphere there is no hostility and violence. Where there is peace, there is no conflict. The existence of peace strengthens mutual respect and goodwill. Justice is the foundation of peace. Equality, friendship and brotherhood are the offshoots of peace. Man has always desired to live in such an atmosphere but in vain. It was only because of man’s greed to have more than the others and to be more powerful than his counterparts that peace was disturbed and it continues to be disturbed till date thus making the innocent man the victim of violence, bloodshed and insecurity.
Conflict is the cause of the destruction of peace. In olden times, we come across examples of conflict between nations resulting in wars and killing thousands of human beings. Besides wars, we have observed conflicts resulting in assaults, murders, rebellions, riots, etc claiming innumerable precious lives. Even today similar ghastly conflicts take place. In the present times, not wars but terrorism creates panic and fright among the people. Religious violence threatens the peace and security of men, women and children at every moment of our lives. Today due to the technological development such dreadful acts are performed in a much more polished and sophisticated manner. Educated and highly placed professionals are involved in human destruction today. It is a sad reflection of our perverted minds. Every human being has the right to enjoy his life to the fullest. Unfortunately, he cannot do so because there is no existence of truth, freedom and justice in the environment we live.
Because man has been greedy in the past, he is greedy at present and will always remain so in future, we may never be able to live in an ideal, peaceful environment but we can definitely reduce conflicts, which will help in strengthening peace in the community. The first and foremost ingredient in this search for peace is to create ‘peace’ in our minds. If we can succeed in conditioning our minds towards peace then only we will be in a position to identify the cause of conflicts in our day-to-day lives. Take for example our right to freedom. If any member of the society dares to curb another’s freedom there is bound to be a conflict. Then why do we not understand this simple logic, respect the space of freedom of others, and allow them to enjoy their freedom? We have accepted the existence of laws, rules and regulations and even norms in order to live in the community in a dignified manner. If we respect the laws and do not do things illegally, no one will be affected adversely. Unfortunately, in present times, to follow the rules has become an exception while doing things illegally – the law of land. And such an attitude is not only observed in poor and illiterate people but in rich and educated too.
Only illegal acts can put the other person in trouble. Why do we not follow the rules and reduce the tendencies that give rise to conflicts? Our society consists of people belonging to different religions, regions, languages, castes, etc., etc. These aspects have created walls of disunity and hatred among the people mainly because each individual feels that his religion, his caste or his language is superior to that of others. Can we not learn to respect each other’s religion, caste and language and live as one family? In fact, religions, which should have been the centers of peace and unity among people, has today been turned out to be the sources of violence and bloodshed. A very sad commentary indeed!
We are fully aware of the fact that our existence on this planet is purely temporary. Yet human beings struggle to collect more and more riches, sometimes through right approach and sometimes by hook or by crook. Man’s lust has compelled him to aim to get as much as possible without even considering the genuine right of others. Hence, with all the might at his command, he tries to deny justice to others. If we are just to ourselves as well as to others, the world will be a better place to live in.
All religions propagate love, brotherhood, justice, non-violence, etc. If only we had to live according to the teachings of our own religion, peace would have reigned in our lives. Many environmentalists are of the opinion that if we protect the environment, we will usher in peace not only in the community of rational animals but also in the community of irrational animals. A very valid argument indeed! Such an act will bring about a harmonious living among animals as well as among human beings. But how can we expect such a wonderful thing to happen when the rational animals called human beings cannot co-exist peacefully with one-another?
Nevertheless, as I have stated earlier, nothing can move an inch towards peace if there is no inner peace within us. A broad frame of mind i.e. a balanced thinking, a drive for truth and justice and a vision for freedom, brotherhood and equality are some of the signs of inner peace. Such a frame of mind alone can help in lessening conflicts and in strengthening peace. Therefore, let us not go here and there in search of peace because it begins and ends in our minds.
(Tomazinho Cardozo is a former Speaker
of Goa Legislative Assembly)
