United We Stand, Divided We Fall

  •   Thu, Apr 12 2012
  •   By Shantharaj, Thiruvananthapuram

April 13, 2012

In this globalised and fast-paced world, technologies are made so easy and alluring that they have made a massive impact on people. Hence everyone is hankering after them. It is a big threat to nations like India that believe in unity in diversity. Selfishness has strongly crept into the hearts of human beings.


United We Stand

It is very much true in the history of the independence struggle in India, when Indians stayed together and fought against the British and raised India’s tricolor flag on 1947 August 15 in Red fort of New Delhi. Nelson Mandela and those who were considered Negros fought for citizenship and human rights in South Africa. In the history of human evolution, men and women lived in the forest, united as one family. Creatures and forests were their well wishers. Later the kings and rulers were their role models, who walked in the way of the Lord, listening and acting according to God’s will. In the time of civilization trading and business transaction was done in a personal relationship and trustworthy manner. Unity was their strength to live a moral life. In fact in the present world too, unity has been playing a vital role to stand against evils and helping to combat illegalities in society. For instance, Anna Hazare’s movement against corruption has revealed the importance of unity which had alarmed the government in India. In fact, this instance proved that unity can be the voice of the voiceless and strength of the weak.


Divided We Fall
 
Water, food, oxygen and unity are the mail elements which are essential for a human survival. Without these elements human beings cannot live on the earth. Therefore all these are closely united in human life. But nowadays unity is taking least interest since selfishness has speared the hearts of the human being. Hence communalism, fundamentalism, terrorism, rowdyism and many other evil doings taking a prominent place in society. Moreover, people are divided into different religions, castes, groups and some others turn out to be individualistic persons in their way of life. Father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘if a person supports evil doings he or she is committing a great sin.’ But the present day world some people are fully engaged in creating violence, destroying peace, destroying natural resources, destroying human relationships, destroying moral values, destroying religious practices and so on. For all these destructions the leading evil is SELFISHNESS. Unity has the power to make false as true and true as false, good as bad and bad as good. It has the power to build a better nation or worsen the nation. United for good, we stand in life. Divided for evil, we fall in life.


Unity in Nature and Human Beings
 
Humans have an intimacy with nature, since human life began in the forests. Mutual love was shared in union with nature. The gift of life was relished to the full. The fresh air, alluring Scenery of nature, variety of animal species on the earth, birds on the air, giant and weeny trees, mesmerizing creatures and many exquisite things were the cynosure of our mother land. Human beings and nature were in constant contact with each other. In fact, humans depend on nature for all their needs. Without nature human beings are nothing. But limited awareness and selfish knowledge has changed the shape of nature into technologies which has brought about a massive havoc in nature. Hence global warming, air pollution, water pollution, food pollution and much other pollution have become part of our life.

There is a need for perfect equilibrium between the interactions of humans with nature. They can be perfect equilibrium between both, only if we humans work towards it. We need to understand nature and should not overburden nature with the unending greed. Tell me when did we last stay up late night just watching the silver moonlight of a full moon? When did we last wake up early to just watch those first rays of the sun? As James Baldwin says, “United we stand, divided we fall. This adage has been with us since generations. As boundaries diffuse in this ever-shrinking world, unity becomes even more necessary. Only when we unite in spirit, can we truly cope with the challenges we face”.


Unity in Power and Virtues
 
A Kannada proverb says, ‘when you are lonely, beware of your thoughts and when you are in the group, beware of your words’. Power brings responsibility; responsibility brings sacrificial love to create a better society. But leading force for the power is virtues. Lending hands to the poor shows the virtue of love. Being faithful to the duty shows the virtue of responsibility. Being loyal to the assigned work shows the virtue of faithfulness. Showing compassion to the enemy is the virtue of forgiveness. Reading the signs of the time and providing the necessary things to the needy people Is the virtue of understanding. In times of distress, being supportive person is the virtue of hope. Power and virtue are two sides of the same coin. Hence they should go hand in hand to create a united society.


Unity in Religion and Caste
 
There are umpteen religions and uncountable gods and goddesses in the world. Yet all accept that there exists only one God who is the creator of universe and life. But division in human life has brought caste system in society. Caste system is more prevalent in Indian religions. Hindus believe that Brahmans are born from the head of Brahma. These are honored as intellectuals. Kshyatriyas are born from the chest or shoulder of Brahma. Hence these are found as warriors. Vaishyas are born from the thigh of Brahma. These are noticed as merchants. Sudras are born from the feet of Brahma. These are considered low castes in fact; each part of the body does its own action accurately and systematically. Hence each part of the body is as important as the other. Moreover, all the parts are and should be united to be a complete body. If a Brahmin says, ‘I am from Brahma’s head and so I don’t want other parts and removes them that would be disastrous, so also the other castes too. We are equal in the sight of god who is the creator of all human beings. It is important for all of us to love ourselves and respect others since human beings charged with the grandeur of god.


Unity in Business and Morality
 
The quality of our life will boil down to the quality of our contribution. Hence people are in high speed of growth to improve themselves and their status. The present day hi-fi technologies and innovative structures of our society reveale the speed of our growth. At the dawn of new awakening in our lives, we want to survey the inner landscape of our souls and get down to the challenging and exhilarating task of trying new designs and fixing new horizons for new adventure in living. But it is psychologically proved that moral values are the elixir of our life, in order to be more confident. It helps to improve his/her status morally and legally. In fact, the business and moral values are blended together. Hence unionism of business and moral values lift us up for a better society. But following immorality and illegality will certainly drag us to hell.
 

Thus, it is up to us. This mother earth is in our hands and either we can protect this cosmos, united as brothers and sisters or can destroy it as stone hearted persons. But we should be aware of the consequences. Whatever we do to the earth is doing something to ourselves. The perennial problems of lack of awareness in us make us to live self-centered life. In this fast paced world we have become so selfish that we want everything. But while trying for everything we miss something that’s worth everything. Hence we should create the kind of world, where we can be united with all and live a life happily. Make the most of ourselves by forming the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

 

Shantharaj Archives:

 

 
By Shantharaj, Thiruvananthapuram
To submit your article / poem / short story to Daijiworld, please email it to news@daijiworld.com mentioning 'Article/poem submission for daijiworld' in the subject line. Please note the following:

  • The article / poem / short story should be original and previously unpublished in other websites except in the personal blog of the author. We will cross-check the originality of the article, and if found to be copied from another source in whole or in parts without appropriate acknowledgment, the submission will be rejected.
  • The author of the poem / article / short story should include a brief self-introduction limited to 500 characters and his/her recent picture (optional). Pictures relevant to the article may also be sent (optional), provided they are not bound by copyright. Travelogues should be sent along with relevant pictures not sourced from the Internet. Travelogues without relevant pictures will be rejected.
  • In case of a short story / article, the write-up should be at least one-and-a-half pages in word document in Times New Roman font 12 (or, about 700-800 words). Contributors are requested to keep their write-ups limited to a maximum of four pages. Longer write-ups may be sent in parts to publish in installments. Each installment should be sent within a week of the previous installment. A single poem sent for publication should be at least 3/4th of a page in length. Multiple short poems may be submitted for single publication.
  • All submissions should be in Microsoft Word format or text file. Pictures should not be larger than 1000 pixels in width, and of good resolution. Pictures should be attached separately in the mail and may be numbered if the author wants them to be placed in order.
  • Submission of the article / poem / short story does not automatically entail that it would be published. Daijiworld editors will examine each submission and decide on its acceptance/rejection purely based on merit.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to edit the submission if necessary for grammar and spelling, without compromising on the author's tone and message.
  • Daijiworld reserves the right to reject submissions without prior notice. Mails/calls on the status of the submission will not be entertained. Contributors are requested to be patient.
  • The article / poem / short story should not be targeted directly or indirectly at any individual/group/community. Daijiworld will not assume responsibility for factual errors in the submission.
  • Once accepted, the article / poem / short story will be published as and when we have space. Publication may take up to four weeks from the date of submission of the write-up, depending on the number of submissions we receive. No author will be published twice in succession or twice within a fortnight.
  • Time-bound articles (example, on Mother's Day) should be sent at least a week in advance. Please specify the occasion as well as the date on which you would like it published while sending the write-up.

Comment on this article

  • united we stand, divided w, Nidhi Bharti

    Mon, Jul 23 2012

    the article who was written in simple language children understand very nicely excellent

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Mon, Apr 16 2012

    This lesson has to be taught to our politicians. They are deviding the soceity for their gains and our stupid people fall prey to their cunning moves.

  • Mohan Kamath, Udupi

    Sun, Apr 15 2012

    Our education system produces finest doctors, engineers,scientists etc. But our society is failing to imbibe values unity, team-work, selfless service, integrity, focus, balanced lifestyle in the young generation. I hope daijiworld will initiate a forum of like-minded people under the leadership of shantharaj to brainstorm on these issues, detail & ute an action-plan to address these issues.

  • John DSouza, Manglaore

    Fri, Apr 13 2012

    Well thought and beautifully designed article. It is a lovely and delicious meal for mind. Shantharaj, you are a true lover of Shatha Raj.

    But today’s super technology has made us blind, dumb and deaf. We are reluctant to implement solutions since we are comfortable with the problems. Entertainment is our priory at the cost of poor victims and sufferers. Being inside the air conditioned place, we are least bothered about outside heat and pollution. We are selfish till we are self sufficient and become helpless in disaster. We care no one when we enjoy and no one cares us in our distress.

    We communicate distances by talk and travel, walk miles and do exercise for hours to keep us fit, but we don’t know our next door neighbour. We like to be the crabs in a basket (divided) instead flying birds, together (united). We look united, internationally and divided at home.


Leave a Comment

Title: United We Stand, Divided We Fall



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.