"The weak can never forgive; forgiveness
is the attribute of the strong."
"Mahatma Gandhi"

Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi, popularly called 'Bapu' by all Indians, was given the name 'Mahatma' or great soul by Noble laureate poet Rabindra Nath Tagore (Gurudev). This man is a revered personality across the globe and he has given great lesson of Non Violence to the world.

Albert Einstein, a famous scientist, was right in saying about Gandhiji "Generations to come will scarcely believe that such a man as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth". He never advocated violent means for achieving any end. This great man had said about roots of violence "Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice, and politics without principles".

In the light of this saying, there is need for contemporary introspection in general and as applicable to North East region in particular.

Firstly, wealth without work; idle mind is a devils workshop is an old saying and easy money acts as a catalyst. There are large numbers of out fits in this region thriving on easy money by extortion, coercion, threats etc. The leadership of these outfits has fat bank balances in banks outside the country, may be without the knowledge of outfit even.

The greed to have a fair share of this money is leading to internecine fights; inter factional fights for territorial control by a particular group. But the losses are borne by civil population e.g. loss of innocent lives, loss of property (both private and public), loss of children education, loss of man days etc.

Secondly, pleasure without conscience; easy gotten money is spent on physical pleasures of few without following the inner voice of right or wrong. Even the lives of common man and cadres are put at stake for this.

Thirdly, knowledge without character; the think tanks of outfits are capable of using the rationale to differentiate between right or wrong, probably the selfish motive does not permit them. History is full of such examples where people have misused their rationale to own advantage. Failing to enter Lok Sabha in 1978, B. Hrangkhawl reestablished contact with MNF and formed a militant outfit Tripura National Volunteers (TNV).

Fourthly , commerce without morality; North East region is close to Golden Triangle (Thailand, Laos , Burma) and is a conduit for drug trafficking Almost all the outfits are making easy money by drug trafficking and gun running. Little do they realize that they are harming the future of their kith and kin by making them drug addicts? Not to forget the AIDS communicated through syringes used for injecting drugs.

Fifthly, science without humanity; science is both a friend and foe of humanity depending on its use. But the unsocial elements are using science as a foe of society. They are using latest weapons and latest explosives to kill innocent public as an arm twisting technique against the elected government or force their will on the people. Atomic power can be used both for productive and destructive purposes.

Sixthly, Worship without sacrifice; it is not the animalistic sacrifice, but sacrifice of certain values inimical to well being of society. The violence is detrimental, both for the doers and those who face it. Statistics of fatalities in terrorist violence with the Institute of Conflict Management, from 2001 to 2006 prove this. The aggregate fatalities during this period of civilians plus SFs are almost equaling those of militants e.g. Assam: Civilians-1005, SF-153 and Militants-1080; Manipur: Civilians-383; SFs- 215and Militants-776 etc.

Seventhly, politics without principles; Infact every one wants his share of the pie. There are splits in political parties and militant outfits because someone does not get his share, therefore he raises another party/ another outfit and carves out an area of influence for himself by all means. At national level miraculous and historic social coalition achieved by BSP (in Uttar Pradesh) is a bench mark beyond expectations and calculations.

We do not know how much horse trading has been done beyond what meets the eye. Dera Sacha Sauda( mixing politics with religion) in Punjab and Gurjar violence in Rajasthan are other recent examples in this category. Underground outfits are not far behind; the proscribed People United Liberation Front (PULF) has split into Azad group and Farook group. The later has taken another smaller group Islamic National Front(INF) into its fold and promoted its commander to home secretary of the outfit as appeasement; Commander in Chief of Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) has been killed by its own cadres; there is known to be a rift between top leadership of ULFA etc.

Recently, in one of the editorials of 'The Sentinel' (02 Jun 07) a noted writer MV Kamath has advocated Gandhigiri, a solution for Iraq and not intervention of US or UK. Gandhiji followed the strategy of Satyagraha which draws strength from within & not from outside. Now is the time to think at all levels (political leadership, civil administration and common man) and do Satyagraha against the wrong values affecting humans, cities, states and nations.

"There is enough in the country for every one's need but not enough for every one's greed"
"Mahatma Gandhi"