AT the beginning of every new morning, the sun unveils its glowing elegance. Its golden carpet moves, from the East to the West, and back again. The nature itself does bear testimony that no differences exist between races and civilizations, between tribes and clans, between nations and continents; in short between the East and the West. We are made alike, but with little differences so that we can recognize each other. But this so-called recognition have gradually brought forth one of the most vicious forces of human nature, hatred.
We are all made up of the same flesh and blood, and our different habits and ways of life are developed because of the environment we live in. Different languages, different social mores and, above all, different religions, too, have some impact. We believe we are different, and that no relations whatsoever exist between us and the others. We forget that our blood gushes forth from the same fountain. Hostility creeps in, and then comes the desire to conquest, and finally the greatest threat to the human race, war.
Wars end, but the devastation it brings ever remain fresh in the memories of those who suffer it. Matters are resolved, but hatred stays. With the passage of time, our past differences grow strong and if no steps are adopted to bridge the differences, they grow even stronger.
In the words of Bertrand Russell, “alternation of power between the East and the West has occurred throughout the last two thousand years or more.” In analyzing the wide historical perspectives related to the argument, the author has pointed out the continuous transfer of power between the Orient and the Occident. Therefore, it is imperative to think that jealousy, hatred and the lust for power have always been there between the two.
The gulf between the East and the West has enfeebled the working of the administrative, religious and geo-political machinery of the world, so their reunion can chalk out new horizons of religious, cultural, social and political harmony. It is quite useless to argue about the share of contributions of the East and the West in maintaining the equilibrium and the balance in the worldly system. The East and the West are the two wings of a flying bird. Equal, exact and parallel. If any of the two wings fail to support the other, it will automatically trigger a loss of composure and equilibrium, and finally a crash. But these wings, when made to work in coordination, will fly high.
There is no doubt that the West is far advanced; academically, militarily and technologically, as compared to the East. But the East, in the matters of cultural heritage and civilization, still reigns supreme. By the exchange of rich thoughts and ideas between the East and the West, it is possible to look forward to the growth of a new culture that will contain the mysticism of East with the pragmatism of West.
In order to inculcate conditions that will favour the formation of such an atmosphere, we need to generate an environment where the independence and the sovereignty of the weaker nations would be guaranteed. Secondly, trade and commercial links between the East and the West would be strengthened, and, lastly, an attempt should be made to make the culture and civilization of the East flourish and propagate in the West, and vice versa.
For peaceful coexistence, it is necessary that they should learn to honour and respect the independence of the other. In the environment of mutual understanding, all the nations will gradually learn to live with others, and to work in coordination to achieve the highest level of success.
Money has the biggest impact on the working machinery of a nation. At the same time, money also stands as the greatest curse that scars the moral and social fabric of its people. In financial aspects as well, the West supersedes the East. For the purpose of a stronger link between the East and the West, it is best to devise a pattern that may allow a smooth flow of wealth. This motive can only be achieved by strengthening economic relations by giving boost to the establishment of more and more trade links between the East and the West. Widespread industrial growth should also be encouraged along with foreign investments.
As far as the motive of cultural harmony and the boost of Eastern culture in the West and the Western culture in the East is concerned, it can only be achieved by the unbiased conduct of the ruling parties. Various educational and cultural centres should be established, where people may not only come to learn about different languages, ways of life, ideas and morals, but also to respect, love and admire the sacred identity of another nation.
We need to formulate a pattern where every culture does maintain the individual charm of its own, and, at the same time, does maintain its link with other cultures of the world. If this happens, most of our miseries will be taken care of. We have the same flesh and bones, we were born one, and, yes, we can become one once again!
AT the beginning of every new morning, the sun unveils its glowing elegance. Its golden carpet moves, from the East to the West, and back again. The nature itself does bear testimony that no differences exist between races and civilizations, between tribes and clans, between nations and continents; in short between the East and the West. We are made alike, but with little differences so that we can recognize each other. But this so-called recognition have gradually brought forth one of the most vicious forces of human nature, hatred.
