We do not care if we are loved, as long as we are feared.
-Slogan of the Roman Empire
History bears proof that all endeavours driven by fear ultimately meet a dramatic and untimely collapse.
All empires, the Roman, Mongol, British they all eventually collapsed. Empires based on violent power collapse one day and vanish. On the other hand civilisations based on economic, social, and spiritual well being for all people continuously evolve. Civilisations pass on wisdom from the past into the future bringing further prosperity to people.
Violence has not resolved a single issue in history, nor brought prosperity to any nation nor provided sustained peace. Yet in the name of God, religion, peace, patriotism and honour, evil people continue to inflict misery on innocent people and nature in general.
It is the responsibility of a nation to maintain defensive forces. India is probably the only nation in the world in the past 4,500 years which has never found it necessary to invade a foreign land or people. Maybe that helps to explain why India was the most prosperous land for 1500 years and the second most prosperous nation for 300 years of the past 2000 years.
Indian culture, art, philosophy and faiths such as Hinduism and Buddhism based on their message of 'Ahimsa' (meaning not causing deliberate harm) has throughout history influenced many lands & people. India did occupy the hearts and minds of people all across Asia and even the Middle East. As my friend Pramod Joshi says India can once again be a superpower, based on its inherent goodness, rich culture and ancient wisdom.
That is something to think about, if only we could only find ways to look within and rediscover ourselves.
