Dynamics of Peace

(Address during the Valedictory Session of 7th International Conference on Peace

and Non-violent Action (ICPNA), Jaipur)
12/Nov/2008 : Jaipur

We have made thee neither of

heaven nor of earth, neither mortal
nor immortal, so that with freedom
of choice and with honour, as though
the maker and moulder of thyself,
thou mayest fashion thyself in
whatever shape, thou shall prefer.
----Giovanni Pico della Mirandola

I am delighted to participate in the Valedictory session of 7th International Conference on

Peace and Non-violent Action (ICPNA) at Jaipur. My greetings to all the distinguished
invitees assembled here. I am happy that seven international conferences on such an
important subject of peace and non-violent action has been discussed by the international
community in the presence of experts. This indeed is an important action for promoting
world peace. I congratulate Anuvrat Global Organisation for organizing this important
conference on peace and non-violent action. When I am with you, I would like to talk on
the topic “Dynamics of Peace”. When we think about peace and non-violence, following
aspects come to our mind: (i) birth of Ahimsa (ii) fight against injustice (iii) cycle of
violence, freedom and peace (iv) human evolution (v) origins of life (vi) challenges of
modern society and (vii) protection against man made violence.

Birth of Ahimsa Doctrine

Friends, when I see you all, I look into Indian history 2300 years back, I am reminded of
Emperor Asoka, who led two lives, one as a ruthless conqueror and the other as a
compassionate ruler. A scene emerges. Asoka had just returned from conquest. But
victory had been obtained at heavy cost: the battle of Kalinga claimed the lives of at least
100,000 people and an equal number were wounded. Asoka fell on his knees and
removed his armor and crown. His face was pale, reflecting the death surrounding him.
He looked at the sky. He saw the bright cool moon shining and God’s grace pouring
down on mother earth. And he looked down at the horror the emperor had created,
making blood flow everywhere. In that moment of horror and the suffering and the pain
on the ground, the Nature, itself seemed to speak out against what he had wrought. In that
tragic scene, the Ahimsa Dharma was born through Emperor Asoka. Emperor Asoka
embraced God’s command to propagate love for human beings through this doctrine.

Fight against injustice

At this point of time, I would like to recall my traveling on 16 September 2004 in a train
powered by steam engine in a first class compartment of 1900’s vintage organized by
Durban state of South Africa. When the train was moving from one station to another,
Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle against apartheid system in South Africa was flashing in my
mind. The train halted at Pietermartizburg, the station where Gandhiji was evicted on a
cold winter night from a first class compartment and became a victim of apartheid. When
I alighted at the Pietermartizburg railway station, I saw a plaque in the railway station,
which reads like this:

In the Vicinity of this plaque

M.K. GANDHI was evicted
from a first class
compartment on the night of
7 June 1893.
This incident changed
the course of his life.
He took up the fight
against racial oppression.
His active non-violence
started from that date.

This changed the course of his life. Gandhiji even said: "my active non-violence began
from that date (7th June, 1893). The path of ahimsa is great innovation of the human
mind and it was a very powerful non-violent tool that was instrumental in achieving our
country’s freedom. Now, Acharya Mahapragyaji and his team are promoting the Ahimsa
Dharma that is very vital for creating and nurturing world peace.

Cycle of violence, freedom and peace

The Second World War led to the deployment of atomic weapons in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki killing lakhs of people and injecting radiation induced diseases for generations.
The disaster awakened the conscience of the world too. The birth of United Nations in
1945, with a mission of preventing conflicts among nations getting transformed into
battles and wars was a good development for the humanity.

All these events remind us of a cycle of violence, freedom and peace. If you look at any
war, there are losses, a continuing feeling of hatred and animosity, a negative impact on
development and several decades are wasted before ideas of peace get negotiated to bring
semblance of normalcy of relations. Can we avoid this distress to human beings?

Human Evolution

When I am with you, I am reminded of the work of Phillips Tobias on human evolution
and analysis of early hominid fossils. His work on the evolution of the human brain and
the origin of spoken languages has been internationally recognized. The major
contribution of Prof. Tobias in genetics is the determination of evolutionary links between
primates and early humans.
Traditionally there have been two distinct and different approaches in understanding
human evolution. Prof Thobias has contributed in both. First is the archeological
evidence. The lessons that we have learnt in India from Mohan-jodaro and Harappa and
many similar excavations the world over, have been seminal and many a civilization’s
way of living, its culture and its origins have become evident.

The second and more recent approach is propelled by advances in our understanding of
the human genome. While the major part of the human genome sequence is common
between human beings and even with mice, the small portions that differ, control and
contribute to the diversity that we find in the evolution of humans. This makes research in
genetic engineering, using human genome sequences to understand the evolution of
humans, very fascinating for scientists. From his vast experience in genetics and Paleo-
anthropology, Prof. Tobias has been able to present to the world in an understandable
capsule form, the whole process of human evolution over 600 million years. The
simplicity of the outcome of his complex research has also stimulated many scientists the
world over to look at the challenges posed in our understanding of human evolution.
Today, the world talks about convergence of many technologies. Prof. Tobias and others
have shown us that all our origins converge to a single point both in space and time.

Origins of Life

Ancient human history has been revealed beautifully by Paleo-anthropology. Life

originated 600 million years ago and continental drift occurred 200 million years ago
creating five continents. Mammals evolved 140 million years ago, Hominids that is the
human type, evolved 26 million years ago but modern man only arrived on the scene
some 200,000 years ago. He migrated and colonized the world only in the last 50,000
years. The spoken language is some 10,000 years old while writing evolved only a few
thousand years ago. All this phenomenal progress has been achieved only within the short
span of 200 to 400 generations, that is in just 5,000 to 10,000 years.Ancient human
history has been revealed beautifully by Paleo-anthropology. Life originated 600 million
years ago and continental drift occurred 200 million years ago creating five continents.
Mammals evolved 140 million years ago, Hominids that is the human type, evolved 26
million years ago but modern man only arrived on the scene some 200,000 years ago. He
migrated and colonized the world only in the last 50,000 years. The spoken language is
some 10,000 years old while writing evolved only a few thousand years ago. All this
phenomenal progress has been achieved only within the short span of 200 to 400
generations, that is in just 5,000 to 10,000 years.Thus the ‘Nature – Nurture’ philosophy
holds good even in this Genomic Era: ‘Genes’. While what we inherit from our parents is
the basis, a beautiful ‘building’ can be built over it, with the environment playing a
crucial role in shaping the destiny of the individual and leading to excellence or
otherwise.
Challenges of Modern Society

Advances in genetics demonstrating great similarity in the genome of man and animals
shows that the limbic brain perhaps is the cause for all conflicts within and outside. So far
human society, from origin until now has always been at war within and between groups
and has led to two World Wars. Presently, terrorism and low intensity warfare are
affecting many parts of the world. Simultaneously the brain is intelligent to understand
the price, the humanity has paid because of such conflicts and if only this attention is
diverted to development, the human civilization would have taken a shape leading to
peaceful co-existence.We have to analyze why wars have occurred so far in the human
history and see how do we, avoid future conflicts. Paucity of resources, inequitable
growth within countries and different parts of the world, deprivation, depleting resources,
ego are among the reasons for conflicts along with remnants of hatred from historical
fights. So it becomes necessary to analyze potential sources of conflicts in the 21st
century for us to spot problem zones and avoid conflicts, as far as possible. Man is
fighting a war on all fronts - environmental degradation and diseases on one side and
terrorism on the other side.

Protection against man made violence

I would like to put forth to this important gathering, a methodology for evolving a happy,
prosperous and peaceful society in our planet, which I call as “Evolution of Enlightened
society”. How do we create such an enlightened society, which will have three
components (a) Education with value system (b) Religion transforming into spirituality
and (c) Economic development for societal transformation. This doctrine of evolution of
enlightened citizenship, I have presented to both houses of our Parliament, European
Union Parliament on special invitation, Pan African Parliament and many other heads of
countries and received constructive feed back. Let me present.

a. Education with value system:

We have seen that the seeds of peace in the world have their origin in the righteousness in
the heart of every individual. Such righteous citizens lead to the evolution of enlightened
society. Education with value system has to be so designed that the righteousness in the
heart is developed in young minds. That should be the mission of education. The prime
learning environment is five to seventeen years of age. This reminds me of an ancient
Greek teacher's saying, "Give me a child for seven years; afterwards, let God or devil
take the child. They cannot change the child". This indicates the power of great
teachers and what they can inculcate in the young minds. Parents and teachers must
inculcate moral leadership amongst children. It requires the ability to have insights into
the uniqueness and universality of human consciousness. True education is the
acquisition of enlightened feelings and enlightened powers to understand daily events and
to understand the permanent truth linking man, to his environment, human and planetary.

While I was in college, I remember the lectures given by the highest authority of a Jesuit
institution Rev Father Rector Kalathil of St. Joshep’s college, Tiruchirappalli, Southern
India. Every week on Monday, he will take a class for an hour. He used to talk about
good human beings present and past and what makes a good human being. In this class,
he used to give lectures on personalities such as Buddha, Confucius, St. Augustine, Califa
Omar, Mahatma Gandhi, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln and moral stories linked to our
civilizational heritage. In the moral science class, Father Kalathil used to highlight the
best aspect of, how the great personalities have been evolved as good human beings
through parental care, teaching and companionship of great books. Even though these
lessons were given to me in 1950’s during my college days, they inspire me even today. It
is essential that in the schools and colleges, lectures are given by great teachers of the
institution once in a week for one hour on civilizational heritage and derived value
system. This may be called as Moral Science Class that will elevate the young minds to
love the country, to love the other human beings and elevate them to higher planes.

Now, let me take up the area that is transforming religion into spiritual force. Many in the
world believe, it is a difficult mission. I would like to share an experience that I have
witnessed which has convinced me that it is possible.

b. Religion Transforming into Spirituality: Universal Mind

Religion has two components, theology and spirituality. Even though theology is unique
to every religion, the spiritual component spreads the value to be inculcated by human
beings for promoting a good human life and welfare of the society, while pursuing the
material life. I would like to share an experience how the religion and science came
together in a big mission.

It was during early 1960’s, the founder of Indian Space Research Programme Prof.
Vikram Sarabhai with his team, had located a place technically most suited for space
research after considering many alternatives. The place called Thumba in Kerala, was
selected for space research as it was near the magnetic equator, ideally suited for
ionospheric and electrojet research in upper atmosphere. I was fortunate to work with
Prof Vikram Sarabhai for about eight years.

The major challenge for Prof Vikram Sarabhai was to get the place in a specific area. As
was normal, Prof. Vikram Sarabhai approached the Kerala Government administrators
first. After seeing the profile of the land and the sea coast, the view expressed was that,
thousands of fishing folks lived there, the place had an ancient St Mary Magdalene
Church, Bishop's House and a school. Hence it would be very difficult to give this land
and they were willing to provide land in an alternative area. Similarly the political system
also opined that it would be a difficult situation due to the existence of important
institutions and the concern for people who were to be relocated. However there was a
suggestion to approach the only person who could advise and help. That was the Bishop
“Rev Father Peter Bernard Pereira”. Prof Vikram Sarabhai, approached the Bishop on a
Saturday evening, I still remember. The meeting between the two turned out to be
historical. Many of us witnessed the event. Rev Father exclaimed, “Oh Vikram, you are
asking my children’s abode, my abode and God’s abode. How is it possible?” Both had a
unique quality that they could smile even in difficult situations. Rev Father Peter Bernard
Pereira asked Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to church on Sunday morning at 9.00 AM.
Prof. Vikram Sarabhai went to the church again on Sunday with his team. At that time the
prayer was progressing with the recitation of Bible by Father Pereira. After the prayer
was over, the Bishop invited Prof. Vikram Sarabhai to come to the dais. The Rev Father
introduced Prof Vikram Sarabhai to the mass, “Dear children, here is a scientist, Prof.
Vikram Sarabhai. What do sciences do? All of us experience, including this church, the
light from electricity. I am able to talk to you through the mike which is made possible by
technology. The treatment to patients by doctors comes from medical sciences. Science
through technology enhances the comfort and quality of human life. What do, I do, as a
preacher? I pray for you, for your well being, for your peace. In short, what Vikram is
doing and what I am doing, are the same - both science and spirituality seek the
Almighty’s blessings for human prosperity in body and mind. Dear Children, Prof
Vikram says, he would build within a year, near the sea-coast, alternative facilities to
what we are having. Now dear children, can we give our abode, can we give my abode,
can we give the God’s abode for a great scientific mission?” There was a total silence, a
pin drop silence. Then all of them got up and said ‘Amen’ which made the whole church
reverberate.That was the church where we had our design centre, where we started rocket
assembly and the Bishop’s house was our scientists’ working place. Later the Thumba
Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) led to the establishment of Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the space activities transformed into multiple space
centers throughout the country. Now this church has become an important centre of
learning, where thousands of people learn about the dynamic history of the space
programme of India and the great minds of a scientist and spiritual leader. Of course, the
Thumba citizens got the well equipped facilities, worshiping place and educational centre
in an alternate place at the right time.

When I think of this event, I can see how enlightened spiritual and scientific leaders can
converge towards giving reverence to the human life. Of course the birth of TERLS and
then VSSC gave the country the capability for launch vehicles, spacecraft and space
applications that have accelerated social and economic development in India to
unprecedented levels.

Today, among us, Prof Vikram Sarabhai is not there, Rev Peter Bernard Pereira is not
there, but those who are responsible for creation and making flowers blossom will
themselves be a different kind of flower as described in the Bhagwat Gita: "See the
flower, how generously it distributes perfume and honey. It gives to all, gives freely of its
love. When its work is done, it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming
despite all its qualities". What a beautiful message, to the humanity on the purpose of life
reflected the spiritual component. Can we bridge the spiritual component of the religions
to bring peace to nations and to the world?

Now let us discuss the third important component of enlightened society which is to
achieve economic development for societal transformation with our country’s example.
C. Economic development for societal transformation.

Indian Economy is in an ascent phase. There is considerable growth in the manufacturing

and service sectors. We have a mission of spreading this economic growth throughout the
country including the rural sector. Nearly 220 million people have to be lifted by
upgrading their quality of life in both rural and urban areas. Even though the GDP growth
indicates our economic growth, people’s participation is essential for achieving the
required targets. It is essential to ensure that the citizens are empowered with good
quality of life encompassing nutritious food, good habitat, clean environment, affordable
healthcare, quality education and productive employment, integrated with our value
system drawn from civilizational heritage leading to the comprehensive development of
the nation that will bring smiles in one billion people. These are indicators for the growth
of the National Prosperity Index.

To achieve that growth rate, we have identified five areas where India has a core
competence for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2) Education and
Healthcare (3) Information and Communication Technology (4) Infrastructure
development such as power, transportation, communication and including Providing
Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) and (5) Self reliance in critical technologies.
Peace is an essential ingredient for accelerating development. We propose to realize the
vision of transforming India into a developed nation before 2020 by energizing and
igniting the minds of all the 540 million youth of the nation. It is not adequate if India
alone is prosperous. India should also facilitate other countries in the region to become
prosperous. That is what will lead to regional peace and prosperity.

Conclusion

Prosperity of nations is important for the prosperity of the world and promotion of a
peaceful, happy and non-violent society. The centuries of learning from different
civilizations should enable us to formulate ideas and systems to bring prosperity and
reduce disparities. Convergence of the civilization has to be the focus of the world rather
than projection of conflicts of civilizations. One of the main drivers would be human
values bridged by spirituality of religions. We also need to find ways and means of
rooting out the fundamental causes of extremism.We have to find solutions for equitable
distribution of essential requirements such as water, energy and preservation of the
environment. I believe that humanity as a whole has to work with focused national,
regional and international missions as projected evolution of enlightened citizenship
which itself will be a major unifying factor and pave the way for peaceful, happy and
non-violent society.

My greetings to all the participants of 7th International Conference on Peace and Non-
violent Action. I wish you all success in the mission of promoting a peaceful and non-
violent society in the planet earth.
May God bless you. APJ Abdul Kalam,