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Every right thinking person of the world today is
deeply concerned about the future of humanity. I still remember how
jubilant we were when the two millennia of the civilization that
history recognizes came to an end and we entered the third millennium.
A wave of joy swept the globe and most editorials of the world’s
leading newspapers had predicted that the new millennium would usher in
an era of peace and happiness. It was natural for the people who had
suffered the ravages of war and hatred during the preceding century to
hope for better days ahead. The last century of the second millennium
witnessed two world wars and hundreds of regional wars. It saw the
first nuclear holocaust in 1945 which killed three million people,
maimed thousands and afflicted a large number of survivors with most
painful and fatal diseases. Though the catastrophe shook the world and
even resulted in the birth of the United Nations Organization (UNO),
wars didn’t cease. More than one hundred thirty wars have been fought
in different parts of the world even after the nuclear holocaust and
the advent of the UN.
The wars only reveal the ghastly spectacle of physical violence but the
enormity of suffering that follows their aftermath cannot be imagined.
Humanity today is plagued by a plethora of problems. The most perilous
of them all is the problem of hunger and poverty, followed by the pangs
of ecological and environmental degradation, pollution, exploitation,
corruption, climate change and the dreaded diseases like cancer and
AIDS. The joy that emanated from our march into the third millennium
vanished as the world stood aghast at the horrifying sight of the
wanton destruction of the twin towers by terrorists in New York on
September 9, 2001 killing three thousand innocent lives on the spot.
Its devastating consequences in the form of the avoidable Iraq and
Afghanistan wars only added to our woes. One thing is clear. The
disaster that is closing in on us all is compounded by man’s unbridled
lifestyle and his reluctance to part with comforts. If he continues to
behave irresponsibily and keeps his eyes shut to the dark realities,
his actions may lead to the annihilation of the ecosystem that sustains
humanity. The recent study carried out by the British Defence Ministry
to assess the threat to its security after 2035 further confirms our
apprehension. It predicts population explosion in the Middle East,
decrease in the European population, and mobilization of gangs by
criminals and terrorists who will unleash attacks on innocent people in
all parts of the world. In brief man’s propensity for crime will
increase manifold. It states that in a span of just three decades from
now a new generation wedded to a cult of hatred and violence will
emerge. The neutron weapons which target only the living creatures and
the electro-magnetic equipment which can destroy communication systems
will be easily available everywhere. The report paints the gloomiest
future for humanity. It is an eye opener for the socio-political
leadership. Global warming has already made its impact felt. Glaciers
are melting. The swelling seas may devour many island nations.
The only way to prevent the advent of such a violent society is to
launch a worldwide initiative to impart training in nonviolence to
children, youths and adults. It is high time we turned our attention to
the question of violence, including verbal and emotional violence and
to that of a plan to expose people to a culture of peace and
nonviolence. Acharya Mahapragya’s Anuvrat Movement and his Ahimsa Yatra
are the most effective tools of social change. We invite people who
share our concern to join hands with us and be instrumental in stemming
the tide of violence. The timely actions can still ward off ecological
and social collapse.
It is a matter of great joy to place this issue of Anuvibha Reporter in
the hands of our readers. I have made the sincerest effort to acquaint
them with the latest trends in ecological and spiritual thinking. I
hope the articles and features included in it will provide them with
new insights to combat the challenge -
Dr. S. L. Gandhi |
