A 'subcontinental' man

For every explosion that takes place, for every single bullet that penetrates a living body, I feel a distinct pain. This is not just an item in the newspaper for me. Somewhere someone is widowed, someone else is

orphaned, a mother feels the pain of loosing a child, another feels the bite of loosing an old age support.

In the past, political and military machination has been unjustly used. The victims have learned to hate. Gradually and consequently, the seeds of discontent have been politicised to. Hatred is taught. Hatred that can only lead to violence, death and destruction. Hatred by which others can manipulate us. It has ruined the economy of the subcontinent. Huge amounts have been spent on a never-ending arms race taking away resources from essential sectors.

For the sake of every child of the subcontinent this has to stop. We can take lessons from the maturity of the European countries. These countries have fought each other not for decades but for centuries. A single war lasted for more than a hundred years. Imagine the kind of violence and hatred that would have fostered. And imagine the great resolve needed to overcome such tremendous emotions. By regional economic and political institutionalisation they have managed to neutralise those threats. They still have differences, but these differences are resolved across the table, not by shooting at each other. The current peace effort between India and Pakistan is immensely important. Supporting this is not supporting Prime Minister Bajpayee or President Musharraf. As peace, harmony and stability is a must for the economic independence, supporting this effort is supporting the people of the subcontinent. In reality, anybody who does not support any peace effort is an enemy of the subcontinent.

If military and political instability continues, the region will become more and more dependent on foreign powers. Without economic independence external forces will control the region. Poverty alleviation will remain an ineffective slogan.

There are established forces that benefit from the political, military and religious acrimony of the region. They won't let peace come easily. But there are selfless people who are willing to counter these forces that teach hatred. These selfless people need the support of the public. It is imperative that the general mass becomes actively involved in the peace process. The first and easiest thing they can do is not vote for politicians who are against peace.

Great strides have been made in the last few months. Support from all quarters is needed to reach the destination ­
a better world for our children. The time to act is Now.