The recent and unexpected visit by the Prime Minister of India, Hon. Narendra Modi to Pakistan had caught the whole world by surprise and created a storm of praise by world leaders who applauded this action towards lasting efforts for peace with Pakistan.
In
contrast, there were politicians and political parties in India who criticized
this trip venomously. And, there are those who are unable to understand either
the purpose of this trip, or its implications, or the philosophy behind the
whole effort.
To understand
the efforts of the new leadership of India, one must go far back into the past,
and visit the thought concepts of ancient Bharat (the land that is comprised of
the current nations of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal,
Sri-lanka and the immediate neighboring countries).
The
basic principal of the Bharatiya view of country and way-of-life is the “commitment
to culture”. The nation known as India did not begin its existence from 15
August 1947, but had existed as “Bharat Rashtra” for aeons before the British rule and other foreign rulers prior to that. On this land; the threads of life,
art, literature and philosophy that bind the people as one culture and as a
homogenous entity of various castes and sects, have existed and never weakened
through the times of foreign occupation and rule, and the forced imposition of
Abrahamic religions onto the people of this land. This basic culture is an
integral part of majority of Indians and it is the very foundation of cultural
unity of Bharat.
Based
on this fact; that Bharatiya culture is the foundation of our social unity, it
follows seamlessly that our view of life is integral. The all-encompassing
development of every individual can happen only when the body, mind, intellect
and soul are developed simultaneously. When such efforts are constantly undertaken
by individual citizens, then the interest of the individual is in automatic
harmony with the collective interests of our society. Since the individual and
the society are inter-dependent for harmonious existence, their mutual
relationship has to be based on congeniality and cooperation.
When the
consideration of the individual extends beyond the ‘I’ to include ‘we’ and ‘our’
it leads to universal development, and unity of universal bonding. Thereby, the
development of Society can be judged from the development of the Individual.
Bharatiya
society is based on the four objectives prescribed in our culture; these being
the pursuit of Dharma (responsible actions), Artha (acquiring wealth), Kama
(fulfilling desires) and Moksha (liberation of the soul upon death). These
founding principles of our culture guide every action of our people. Dharma is
the force that holds all other objectives together, and regulates the changes
in society over time.
This concept of Dharma (responsible actions) has, many
times in the past; given rise to Dharma-Rajya (the rule of Dharma) which in its
simplistic definition can be considered the “Rule of Responsible Law”.
Dharma-Rajya
is non-religious and non-sectarian. It is strictly, the rule-of-law. Such a
rule of law is neither dictatorial, nor arbitrary, nor based on individual
self-interest. Dharma-Rajya puts all its emphasis on duties and responsibilities
and not only on ‘rights’. In such an environment where rule is based on duties
supported by the needs of individual rights; the administrative, judicial and
legislative institutions function according to the requirements of the Bharatiya
culture and as per the law, and not as per the whims and fancies of individual
leaders or outside the parameters of legally and morally defined boundaries of
society.
When
Institutions function as per Dharma-Rajya, it automatically leads to the
strengthening of democratic principles and a commitment to democracy. Democracy
is the only means of ensuring the rights of every individual and protecting
these rights and dignity of the people. Democracy is an indivisible concept and
as such in our Bharatiya mind-set it is not restricted only to the political
arena, but also defines itself in the economic and social arenas as well.
Democracy is sustained by dignity of the individual, which in turn is the after-effect
of responsibility of individuals combined with the rights of the individuals. The
one issue that has to be always ensured in such a situation is that the
individual’s rights shall not be detrimental to the rights or interests of
society, and that the rights of the individual and that of society are
complementary to each other.
Bharatiya
society values Freedom at all costs. Freedom is not only the life and soul of a
democracy; but also of individuals, their society and their nation. Economic,
social and political freedoms have to work together in tandem to assure the
individual and the nation the freedom from conflicts. This can be assured only
on the basis of long term planning of all aspects of governance, including
foreign policy. Planning is always the means to reach an objective and not the
objective itself. Such planning has to protect the basic values and beliefs of
our culture and strengthen them continuously. Inspiration for overall development
of the society and nation cannot come from objectives alone. For this, it is
necessary to cultivate the commitment of the people; not only within the
geographical boundaries but within the cultural boundaries of Bharat-Rashtra.
For only then, can the nation achieve success.
The
above philosophy is part of the strength of the Narendra Modi governance
policy. This thinking does not stop at the boundaries of India. It encompasses
the whole world. The Bharatiya philosophy has endured and survived countless
attacks on it over ages, centuries and ancient time-lines. In the past this
philosophy has spread itself to the current countries in Eastern Asia and also
the Pacific Rim. The most important component of Bharatiya thinking is its commitment
to peace. Dialogue can win more hearts and minds than bombs and bullets. This
does not mean that our philosophy makes us shy away from war and violence.
From the
wars of Mahabharat to wars against British Empire, Bharatiya people have borne
arms when required and sacrificed their lives for all of the above mentioned
concepts. Some wars were won conclusively, leading to the establishment of Bharatiya
empires (colloquially called as 'Hindu Empires') that spanned the entire Indian continent; many were lost, leading the
people of Bharat into slavery and subjugation.
However, our Dharma (concept of responsibility)
still demands that we use all non-violent and diplomatic avenues to broker
lasting peace with hostile neighbours before we are forced to sound the Trumpets-of-War to enforce our right to lead our way-of-life comprehensively.
