WAR And PEACE IN OUR TIMES: THE TRAGEDY OF HUMAN GREED : Professor. S. Ayyappa Raja

WAR And PEACE IN OUR TIMES: 

THE TRAGEDY OF HUMAN GREED 

“To Call a Man a Beast is an Insult to The Beast” 

 (Syed Amanuddin)

Professor. S. Ayyappa Raja

                                                                                                                                  

Human beings are turned to be worse than animals when they indulge in war over their fellow brethren.They forget the noble traits and become ruthless and insane in killing their fellow people. They are completely overwhelmed by blood-thirst and indulged in killing-spree. Wars are fought for individual ego of the rulers and power-mongers to gain economic prosperity. They spew the venom of hatred among people and causing differences on the basis of religion, region, race, ethnicity, linguistic identity and so on. Human beings themselves glorify that they are the zenith of creations and having the sixth sense to discern what is good and bad. Unfortunately, they forget all the noble aspects in them when they become power-thirsty. Every nation has the right to exist on their own and there should not be hegemony from outside. Humanity needs peace and brotherhood. 

In the Twenty-first century, the world becomes a global village due to the development in science and technology. People can connect with others in distance instantly and easily without any hindrance.They can travel all over the world within a day and come back to their place of departure at night.They have better connectivity and they exchange themselves the culture, climate and life style. Unfortunately, in some instances, instead of strengthening their cultural aspects and understanding, they develop differences on the basis of race, religion and economy.The capitalists want to retain their hold over the poor and vulnerable and they never like to lose their grip on them.The producers of mass destructive weapons need their market to sell their goods. The power-mongers join hands with them and indulge in crimes against humanity.The war of America and Israel against Iran is the best example for fighting over oil-wealth and religious difference. 

Patience and forbearance are important for the peaceful coexistence of all human beings all over the world.There should not be hatred and ill-will against anybody. Love is paramount and every one should love his or her fellow human being. Compassion and forgiveness are the salient features which could help human beings to realise their divine state.They should give up their hunger for power and avarice. Greed of certain nations can cause harm not only to certain section of humanity but it affects entire world. If war erupts not only the human beings but also all other creatures suffer due to the attacks of mass destructive weapons. Indeed, war is a terrible and destructive act and it can be stopped at any cost through diplomacy. Any difference can be solved through peaceful dialogue. Conversation helps people to minimise their differences.Through peaceful means, the issues can be sorted out.The recent war of Israel against Palestinians in Gaza caused large scale death and destruction of human lives and properties.These wars could bring longstanding effects.The ill-will never fades and enmity grows and war makes indelible scar in the minds of people who have lost their dear and near ones.The scar spirals a vicious cycle and it could bring more death and destruction. 

Peace is premium and it can be made at any cost.The differences between the nations can be sorted out through peaceful and meaningful dialogues. The conscientious and honest people of the nations can discourage the power-mongers to enter the hostilities. Peace can be made through dialogue. Human beings get the best tool of communication, language and through it the differences can be solved and solutions can be brought out.The capacity of reasoning and the tool of language, animals do not have. They never indulge in large scale death and destruction of them and others as humans do. Unfortunately, the humans who consider themselves superior to them often indulge in the trivial act of destructive war. It is the responsibility of every human to assert not having the wicked thought of possession and ill-will. All nations can exist on their own with sovereignty and self-rule and there should not be any interference from outside. 

Religion is the structured way of approaching God and the individuals have the right to practice the choice of their own without any external interference.The religious sentiments of all can be respected since all religions teach love and forgiveness. These religions are meant for men and not the other way round. The rich nations can help the poor ones and make the entire humanity happy. War causes havoc and largescale death and destruction. It affects entire humanity and other living organisms. It has long-standing effects and the future generations are also affected. Hence, sensible people can make the rest to realise the importance of peaceful coexistence. The world is for all and it is not only for human beings but also for flora, fauna, fish and other creatures. All living organisms can have the right to exist on this universe peacefully. 

It is the responsibility of every citizen of the world to raise their voice against any kind of act of the power-mongers to provoke people on the basis of race, religion, region, and linguistic labels. All have the right to live on this world and differences can be solved on the basis of meaningful dialogues. Humanity can move forward by giving up petty passions like anger, pride, vengeance, desire for domination and possession.Vanity of the certain nations can be discouraged and love can prevail all over the world.There is no need of war which can challenge the existence of humanity.

(Professor Ayyappa Raja S is a renowned Professor of English of Annamalai University and researcher in Indian English Literature. He is a good orator and travelling is his great hobby. He is a regularly published writer and his forthcoming books are on British and Indian poetry.)