CORRECT ADVICE

In his speech on the 46th Independence Day, the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao made an important point. Many newspapers highlighted this in their headlines. Hindustan Times (August 16, 1992) reported his speech with the headline: PM for three-year moratorium on contentious issues.

The Prime Minister said that there are many differences among us, and it is natural for such differences to exist. But what is more important is that, even after almost half a century of independence, we are still surrounded by serious problems. To address these issues, a clear and focused approach is needed. At the very least, for the next three years, we should set aside our disputes and devote all our energy to putting the country on the path of progress.

This is the only principle of development and success in the world. In today’s world, it is inevitable that one person and another—or one group and another—will have differences and conflicts. A life without disagreements is not possible.

If every person and every group keeps clashing with others over disputes, progress will become impossible. The right approach, therefore, is to set aside disagreements and contentious matters, and direct all our energy toward practical work and development. If permanent avoidance is not possible, then at least for some time, there is no choice but to adopt this principle of restraint.

A person cannot spend their strength on two fronts at the same time. If they become entangled in disputes, constructive work will stop. And if they focus on constructive work, the field of conflict will have to be left empty. In such a situation, what is wisdom? Wisdom is to abandon or postpone disputes and direct all possible energy toward construction and progress.