________________
Worshipping rivers is part of our religion, but steps are required to maintain water quality and protect rivers from pollution, to protect the people from flood damages and to harness river water for hydropower in order to meet growing need for power. Development goals are compatible with spiritual perceptions, as well as with environmental considerations. Pro-development approach alone would eliminate hostility and friction.
6.
Tackling terrorism:
Terrorism is becoming more and more dreadful, violent and tortuous. Innocent civilians are its victims. Religious and spiritual leaders need to join in the effort to curb & eliminate terrorism by going to affected areas and population with courage and openness. Bullets will never kill bullets. It is persuasive effort, which will bring home the futility of using bullets.
There are encouraging and inspiring examples. Mahatma Gandhi walked alone in riot-torn Noakhali area in Bengal to bring to the people message of love and harmony in 1947, Jain Saint Acharya Sushil Kumarji showed the courage to walk into riotaffected areas in India carrying the message of tolerance and nonviolence in 1980 and 1990. Howsoever difficult, such initiatives need to be multiplied. Only then the momentum would gather in favour of non-violence and peace.
In the ultimate analysis, world's people must come on the centre stage and not leave peace to be attained at only government levels. As Dwight Eisenhower once observed
"People in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than Governments, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days the governments had better get out of their way and let them have it."
(154)
Ahimsa: The Ultimate Winner * Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
