The pandemic-crippled world finds itself in the midst of another global crisis which can cause devastating loss to life, property and natural resources
Horizons of violence and war are fast expanding. The Russian invasion of Ukraine lingers on with no signs of victory or defeat, no possibility of a reconciliation or meditation by other nations. It is inflicting inhuman sufferings not only on the people of Ukraine and Russia but on practically every country, one way or another. At this juncture in history, war anywhere would no longer remain confined to two nations, but would drastically impact the planet as a whole. Is it not really intriguing that a world devastated by the pandemic for over two years finds itself in the midst of another global crisis which could cause immeasurable loss to life and property, coupled with devastating wastage of natural resources?
There are significant indications that more war zones could open up any day. These could involve Russia and Nato, or the China-Taiwan-US. There is practically no visible effort at the international level to attempt a truce. On the contrary, the Nato nations, sitting on the fence, are supplying arms and ammunition to Ukraine and publicising it as a great act of “help”. Obviously, it is a clear act of inspiring Ukraine to continue the war. What destiny have human beings created for themselves, the one that includes their own destruction; nations competing among themselves in the race to produce more and more lethal weapons? Enormous sums are consumed in this race to produce lethal weapons. This race thus becomes one of one-upmanship, resulting in widely spread vested business interests requiring promotion, use and sale to generate rich dividends. And that would increase insecurity, apprehensions, distrust, violence and wars.
Wars are often referred to as parts of history, which is factually correct. However, it must be remembered that when nations, regions, principalities and even village clusters were independent of each other, victory and defeat had a specific meaning. Not now, when everyone is dependent on everyone else. Nato may impose sanctions against Russia, but its dependence on Russian natural gas has another story to tell. One of the most revered global figures — except by China — His Holiness the Dalai Lama articulates it succinctly: “However, we are so interdependent that the concept of war has become outdated. When we face problems or disagreements today, we have to arrive at a solution through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One-sided victory is no longer relevant. We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interests of others. We cannot destroy our neighbours. We cannot ignore their interests. Doing so would ultimately cause us to suffer.” We all know that everyone is a neighbour of everyone else. They are neighbours, but not necessarily neighbourly!
Unfortunately, an analytical perusal of the developments of the last seven decades generates little hope in international organisations like the UN, UNSC and other bodies that were expected to minimise — if not completely abolish — violence, wars, exploitation and production of lethal nuclear weapons. Is it not a sad commentary that the nuclear race stands escalated as against the great expectations that it would be totally banned?
The views of Einstein, published in the New York Times on August 16, 1948, say it all: “We scientists, whose tragic destiny it has been to help make the methods of annihilation ever more gruesome and more effective, must consider it our solemn and transcendent duty to do all in our power to prevent these weapons from being used for the brutal purpose for which they were invented. What task could possibly be more important to us? What social aim could be closer to our hearts?”
Human beings are blessed with unfathomable power of ideas and imagination. It is the curiosity that ignites the mind to explore, discover, innovate and utilise. Creativity kindles acquisition of skills, ever open to refinement, and replaced by newly discovered ones. It is these human traits that lead to the advancement of civilisations and exploration of the secrets of nature, leading to new inventions and discoveries in the realm of science and technology or, in the current context, information and communication technology. One of the most significant human achievements in science and technology was the first atomic explosion, some 210 miles south of Los Alamos, New Mexico, on July 16, 1945.
The generation of enormous amounts of energy was now within man’s reach and control. Obviously, scientists were exploring how it could help improve human lives, and how all concerns regarding energy availability could indeed be resolved in the years ahead. In the Indian tradition, any acquisition of knowledge is of relevance only if it can be used to better the lives of all humanity, with all its diversity accepted and respected: ‘Sarva bhut hite ratah’. One often comes across references to Robert Oppenheimer referring to the famous shloka of Gita: ‘Brighter than a thousand suns’! But that was that; powers that be were thinking about the destructive possibilities of the new tool that scientists had placed at their disposal, and they had no ethical qualms that could prevent disastrous applications of atomic weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To prevent the recurrence, there has to be sustained dependence on dialogue, discussion and deliberations. Any laxity would mean devastation, destruction and disasters of unfathomable measure.
(The author works in education, social cohesion and religious amity. The views expressed are personal.)
