INTERNATIONAL TOLERANCE DAY IS NOT JUST FOR PEACE BUT FOR COEXISTENCE

INTERNATIONAL TOLERANCE DAY IS NOT JUST FOR PEACE BUT FOR COEXISTENCE

16-NOV-ENG 16

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------International Tolerance Day is celebrated every year on November 16 to promote tolerance worldwide and to spread awareness about peace, tolerance, health, and compassion among people. Its aim is to promote non-violence by eliminating the spirit of violence, war, terror, and negativity in the world. This day is particularly relevant in curbing the increasing oppression, terror, violence, and injustice in the world and awakening people's awareness of tolerance and tolerance. This day inspires all religions and different cultures to unite. This is not just a formality, but an essential call to save the future of humanity. At the same time as the world is reaching new heights of development and technology, it is also sinking deeper into intolerance, violence, war, terror, and anger. This paradox reveals that no matter how powerful humans may appear on the outside, if the light of tolerance, patience, and compassion is lacking within, even the brightest civilizations can teeter on the brink of collapse. In today's tense environment, tolerance is the most important force that binds human relationships. It is not a weakness, but an inner strength that enables us to understand, accept, and respect the views of others, along with our own.

The growing intolerance of individuals, societies, and nations toward one another is the cause of war, hatred, and animosity, as well as communal violence and frenzy. Intolerance, hate speech, and fear of others are not only a powerful motivator of conflict and war, but also their primary cause. However, tolerance is the binding force that unites our multicultural, multiethnic, and multireligious societies. Intolerance not only disrupts the social and political fabric but also negatively impacts a country's economy, development, and international image. In the era of globalization, tolerance is crucial to strengthening the international financial and trade system. It is also crucial in personal life. Indeed, due to changing lifestyles and social environments, tolerance is steadily declining among people.

Increasing wars, religious fanaticism, racial conflicts, ethnic clashes, and hatred spread on social media across the world are proof of how rapidly the fire of intolerance is spreading. In such an environment, tolerance becomes not just a social value but the foundation of humanity. When people lose communication, when the culture of listening weakens, when personal egos begin to outweigh collective harmony, intolerance arises. This is why the greatest lack in today's world is the ability to communicate, to be patient, and to respectfully embrace diversity. Tolerance is not only essential for international relations, but also essential for personal life. Tensions are rising in homes because we lose the patience to listen to others. Relationships are breaking down because we are unwilling to accept differences. Modern man has become increasingly reactive; even the slightest criticism destabilizes him. If we light the lamp of tolerance within ourselves, life can become simple, beautiful, and peaceful.

The need for tolerance, especially in politics, has become greater than ever. Politics determines the path of a nation; if intolerance, insults, prejudice, and hatred increase within it, these sentiments spread throughout society. Today, as political language becomes increasingly harsh, and the opposition's negativity threatens both democratic dialogue and political culture. The fundamental purpose of politics is to serve the people and develop the nation, but this is possible only when diversity of thought is respected, the tradition of discussion is kept alive, and leaders listen to opposing views. The best leadership is one that brings everyone together, not fuels the politics of division and hatred. Tolerance imparts maturity to politics and balances the arrogance of power with human compassion.

The need for tolerance is crucial even in the field of religion, because the fundamental essence of religion is peace, compassion, love, and harmony. However, when religion becomes a tool for fanaticism and narrow-mindedness, when people begin to consider their own beliefs supreme and others inferior, the true purpose of religion is destroyed. Mahavira, Buddha, Jesus, the Prophet, and Gandhiji all described religion as a path to purifying the mind and protecting humanity, not a path to division and conflict. The essence of religion is to understand differences, respect the beliefs of others, and consider humanity supreme. Religious tolerance is the measure of a society's spiritual height. The spirit of coexistence is the foundation on which a prosperous world can be built. We live on the same earth, belong to the same human community, and regardless of language, religion, caste, or culture, our destinies are intertwined. If we learn to live together, respecting each other, and moving forward, the world can be free from violence and tension and write a new chapter of harmony and prosperity.

In fact, due to changing lifestyles and social environments, tolerance among people is steadily declining. The social environment should not deteriorate and people should be able to live together. Live in harmony with others. It has become common for conflicts and wars to arise over trivial matters at the individual, social, national, and international levels. The long-standing wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamam have posed serious threats to global human society. The ever-increasing wars and the rise of terrorism are the result of growing intolerance within individuals, societies, nations, and the world. Whenever attempts have been made to breach the wall of tolerance in any era, in any country, demonic and violent forces have weakened social unity and wreaked havoc. Tolerance can only be sustained through dialogue. Tolerance is the building block, and dialogue its foundation. However, in a world entangled in competition and consumerism, this dialogue is constantly being eroded.

From Saint Kabirdas to Guru Nanak, Raidas, and Acharya Tulsi, saints like them instilled a sense of tolerance in society and brought social harmony to the masses. This truly strengthened the spirit of tolerance in society. Saint Kabir was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. He considered Ram and Rahim to be one and said that God is one, even if His names are different. During the freedom movement, Mahatma Gandhi spread the message of tolerance to every household. Gandhiji was the living embodiment of tolerance. Tolerance is the fundamental mantra of our lives. Tolerance is the soul of democracy and the foundation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, and Sarvadharma Sadbhavana. Only through this can the progress of humanity be possible. International Tolerance Day reminds us that the future of humanity depends on how much we accept, how much we understand, and how generously we live. The need of the hour is to expand dialogue in politics, compassion in religion, and empathy in society. If we make tolerance not an idea but a way of life, not only will our personal lives be peaceful, but the world will also become safer, more beautiful, and more humane. This is the true message of tolerance and the greatest need of humanity.