ARTICLES : Peace, Nonviolence, Conflict Resolution

Read articles written by very well-known personalities and eminent authors about their views on Gandhi, Gandhi's works, Gandhian philosophy of Peace, Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution.


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ARTICLES


Peace, Nonviolence, Conflict Resolution

  1. Nonviolence and Multilateral Diplomacy
  2. Ahimsa: Its Theory and Practice in Gandhism
  3. Non-violent Resistance and Satyagraha as Alternatives to War - The Nazi Case
  4. Thanatos, Terror and Tolerance: An Analysis of Terror Management Theory and a Possible Contribution by Gandhi
  5. Yoga as a Tool in Peace Education
  6. Forgiveness and Conflict Resolution
  7. Gandhi's Philosophy of Nonviolence
  8. Global Nonviolence Network
  9. Violence And Its Dimensions
  10. Youth, Nonviolence And Gandhi
  11. Nonviolent Action: Some Dilemmas
  12. The Meaning of Nonviolence
  13. India And The Anglo-Boer War
  14. Gandhi's Vision of Peace
  15. Gandhi's Greatest Weapon
  16. Conflict Resolution: The Gandhian Approach
  17. Kingian Nonviolence : A Practical Application in Policing
  18. Pilgrimage To Nonviolence
  19. Peace Paradigms: Five Approaches To Peace
  20. Interpersonal Conflict
  21. Moral Equivalent of War As A Conflict Resolution
  22. Conflict, Violence And Education
  23. The Emerging Role of NGOs in Conflict Resolution
  24. Role of Academics in Conflict Resolution
  25. The Role of Civil Society in Conflict Resolution
  26. Martin Luther King's Nonviolent Struggle And Its Relevance To Asia
  27. Terrorism: Counter Violence is Not the Answer
  28. Gandhi's Vision and Technique of Conflict Resolution
  29. Three Case Studies of Nonviolence
  30. How Nonviolence Works
  31. The Courage of Nonviolence
  32. Conflict Resolution and Peace Possibilities in the Gandhian Perspective
  33. An Approach To Conflict Resolution
  34. Non-violence: Neither A Beginning Nor An End
  35. Peacemaking According To Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.
  36. The Truth About Truth Force
  37. The Development of A Culture of Peace Through Elementary Schools in Canada
  38. Gandhi, Christianity And Ahimsa
  39. Issues In Culture of Peace And Non-violence
  40. Solution of Violence Through Love
  41. Developing A Culture of Peace And Non-Violence Through Education
  42. Nonviolence And Western Sociological And Political Thought
  43. Gandhi After 9/11: Terrorism, Violence And The Other
  44. Conflict Resolution & Peace: A Gandhian Perspective
  45. A Gandhian Approach To International Security
  46. Address To the Nation: Mahatma Gandhi Writes on 26 January 2009
  47. Truth & Non-violence: Gandhiji's Tenets for Passive Resistance
  48. The Experiments of Gandhi: Nonviolence in the Nuclear Age
  49. Terrorism And Gandhian Non-violence
  50. Reborn in Riyadh
  51. Satyagraha As A Peaceful Method of Conflict Resolution
  52. Non-violence : A Force for Radical Change
  53. Peace Approach : From Gandhi to Galtung and Beyond
  54. Gandhian Approach to Peace and Non-violence
  55. Locating Education for Peace in Gandhian Thought

Further Reading

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Address To the Nation: Mahatma Gandhi Writes on 26 January 2009

By Ambassador (Retd) Alan Nazareth

Author’s note: This is a work of fiction. I cannot take credit for this article, because these are not my original thoughts. This line of thinking is influenced by Mahatma Gandhi. If this article provides an inspiration for workable solution, all credit goes to the father of nation. If there are any flaws in this piece, they are entirely author’s, not of the Mahatma.

On this 60th republic day of India, I congratulate the billion Indians living in the country and millions living abroad. It is a proud moment for every Indian. Each one of us has worked to preserve the freedom and maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Some of those who haven’t experienced the British days may take this freedom for granted. To them, my only message is: even a single laborious, torturous day of freedom is worth thousands of comfortable days in slavery.
A nation can demand respect only if possesses self-respect. Only when each of us learns to live with respect can we expect the world to respect us. No Indian will ever be able to live in respect as long as even one poor person goes to sleep on an empty stomach. Why should I complain about poverty in Slumdog Millionaire being shown at international award ceremonies, when that reality of life is in my face everyday? To me, actor Anil Kapoor’s donation of his film fees to the cause of the poor is more valuable than any award the film has won. But I will be truly happy when I will see even one Indian change his course of life and devote even one day in an act that will bring a smile to a poor person.
Of course, I won’t be satisfied with just that. I want every Indian to put at least one hour’s work every day in a project that will improve the living conditions of his poor fellow-countrymen.
I know you are interested in my views about terrorism. I read on the internet and see on television the people’s movement that is silently shaping up after the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. I am often asked to comment on such activities. For the last few weeks, I have not commented on this issue, because I hold myself responsible for what happened on that day. I feel that I have failed. My limitations have put me in a position today that I feel ashamed. I should have tried harder. I could not kindle the flame of selfless love in every Indian. I could not encourage them to stay on the path of non-violence on which they had walked with me for a long distance. Let no person assume that this is failure of nonviolence principle. It is my failure. These are my limitations, and today I believe in them as much as I believed in them during British days.
Act of terrorism is an act of cowardice. Its sole purpose is to create fear in the minds of its victims. And the only way to fight terror is by being fearless. If we refuse to be subdued by terrorism, its purpose is defeated and the perpetrator will have no choice but to stop its futile efforts to terrorize us.
I am also asked about my feelings about terrorists. There is nothing new to add. I have said this many times. I don’t hate my enemies. I hate the wrongs they have done to me, but I still love my enemies as much as I love my friends. Because hating them is just like hating myself. Each of have weaknesses. How can I hate others for their weaknesses when I am painfully aware of my own? I try to love my enemies as l love myself. Only such unconditional love will change the heart of my enemies.
The only means of fighting violence is through non-violence means. A non-violent resistance will make the perpetrator ashamed on his terrorism.
India has shown courage in her response to Mumbai terror attacks. It has shown restrain by not resorting to violent means of retaliation as America did in 2001. As I have always believed, if there is any country that can successfully showcase the doctrine of non-violence and truth, it is India. This is the time for India to lead by example. The world is looking at us. The west is still trying to recuperate from the wounds of its violent retaliation in the war on terrorism. The west is looking at us for hope. The violence did not work. Only non-violence can save us, because it is the other side of the same coin—the coin of love.
India should not co-operate with Pakistan until Pakistan takes steps to address the issue of terrorism. However, if Pakistan needs any help from India to address the problem, India should be more than willing to offer it. While non-cooperation is a means of solving the problem, at no stage should India garner the feeling of hatred towards Pakistan. We should try to change their heart.
We must realize that Pakistan is fighting its own internal issues, and we should offer to help them in solving those issues, just like an elder brother helps the younger one in the hour of need. But this help should be extended only after Pakistan has taken firm steps to fight terrorism.
I am an eternally hopeful person. As long as there is even one living soul on this earth, there is hope for truth and non-violence to prevail. Because love lives in our hearts.

Vaibhav Gangan is the managing editor of “The Global Indian” a monthly electronic magazine published and distributed electronically in New Zealand and many other countries.