Be the change you want to see in the world

On 2nd October 2014, from the premises of Red Fort, in the auspicious gathering, PM Narendra Modi highlighted and reiterated the thought of Mahatma Gandhi by saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

This means that whatever anyone wants to change in the world, then seen change should begin with ourselves and we should m____ the change. By this, every individual in the society will act as a drop and fill the pot with water of change.

Therefore, this essay will lay down things that are needed to be changed in the world in terms of society, geography and environment, science and technology, economy, political, international relations and security. Then explain what changes can be brought by an individual just inculcating desired changes in themselves.

SOCIETY
At the societal level, both at domestic and international sphere, there are certain things that need to be changed due to their disastrous consequences.

Growing intolerance in the society is pitting one individual against another and one community against another. At the same time, increasing use of violence in terms of mob lynching in India and gun shooting in US is posing a grave threat to the moral fabric of the society.

Along with this, inequality amongst race, gender, ethnicity also breeds the culture of intolerance, patriarchy and racism in the society.

Therefore, an individual or a nation should change these traits by first changing themselves.

Like the cases of intolerance can be changed if an individual even if does not agree but acknowledges the other person’s opinion. Similarly, the cases of violence can be stopped if individuals inculcate the power of non-violence. The problem of casteism, patriarchy, racism can also be changed if an individual imbibes the idea of equality.

Similarly, the nations or the state should also utilize its legislative and executive powers to change intolerance into tolerance, violence into non-violence, inequality into equality.

 ENVIRONMENT
The problems at international and national level in environmental terms are visible in the cases of Amazon fires, floods in Kerala, water scarcity in Chennai, polar vortex in Mid-West US, heat waves in Europe, plastic pollution.

The reasons behind these problems are forest fires, climate change, global warming, over exploitation of water, extreme weather events like high temperature and precipitation.

Therefore, to change the causes and problems, efforts can be taken by an individual, society or a nation.

At the individual level, we should aim at leaving ecological footprint as low as possible. It can be ensured by efficient utilization of resources like water, rainwater harvesting, using less electricity and ensuring proper disposal or reduction in use of plastics.

At societal level, various NGOs or civil society groups can coordinate and contribute positively. For example – Robin Hood Army collects food from restaurants and distributes it to beggars. This ensures that resources are not wasted and people get food.

At the state level, various role models like PM Modi can lead by showcasing their reduced wastage and electricity needs (Swachh Bharat Mission).

These changes will in turn accumulate and change the entire world.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Scientific developments like nuclear weapons, genetic costly drugs, high prices for stents, space missions pose problems in the community and instead of being a boon it turns out to be bane.

This depicts Mahatma Gandhi’s one of the seven sins, “science without humanity”. As nuclear weapons harm human beings, costly drugs reduce accessibility, space missions create space debris.

These sins can be changed when states adopt complete nuclear disarmament, introduce generic drugs, cap price of stents and reduce space debris by using reusable space vehicles.

These changes can be brought by states and society by inculcating it without waiting for others to adopt. At the same time, individuals can also change when they change their mindset of using science for public welfare and not for destroying humanity at large.

 ECONOMY
When people like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya engage in cases of money laundering and tax evasion then they commit a sins of “Business without ethics”.

The reasons behind this are race for profit maximization, selfishness, corrupt behavior, etc. Therefore, to change this, individuals need to know the ethics of public welfare, equality and change themselves accordingly.

Similarly, states should change themselves by being intolerant towards these practices and evading laws like Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Fugitive Economic Offender Act, etc.

Internationally, organizations like FATF should be encouraged and existing institutions need to be changed to be intolerant towards this and promote public welfare.

 POLITICAL
The things that are to be changed at the political level are rampant corruption, nexus with capitalists, increasing use of vote bank policies, radical ideology, use of communal lies hate speeches, lack of proper representation.

It is the individuals that make the political parties and the sphere. Therefore. If individuals change themselves to be responsible leaders, corruption free mindset, promoting equality, etc. Then they change themselves and the world in the process.

Similarly, states should not allow corrupt officials or vote bank policies to happen. At the same time, ensure adequate representation to all sections then they change themselves and the world.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Historically, we have witnessed two world wars, one cold war and many regional wars. In contemporary era, we are witnessing civil wars in Syria, Yemen, etc. similarly, many refugee crises due to unstable domestic conditions of many countries.

To change these things we need to change the mindset of people engaged in wars. They need to inculcate peace, harmony and tolerance so that they can accept the other side and live in harmony.

States and international institutions rather than adding fuel to the fire by financing wars should help in assessing these by cutting finances.

This will ensure that with one change we are changing the world at large.

INTERNAL SECURITY
Growing threats like extremism, naxalism, communalism, radicalism, insurgency, terrorism pose a security challenge for the nation.

These threats arise due to the feeling of relative deprivation unequal development, lack of connect with larger society, identity crisis, etc.

At the individual level, the people on the other end of the spectrum can ensure their rehabilitation. This will provide a sustainable change.

Society, on the other hand, can promote the feeling of unity and solidarity amongst people so that they feel integrated and as a part of the society.

States can ensure proper development and change its palatial attitude and promote equality. Moreover, states should change the way to deal with these threats. They cannot use violence to curb violence so adopting other measures will arrange the threat.

Hence, all the above problems that need change can be changed by individuals inculcating values of public welfare, non-violence, tolerance equality, impartiality and states by adopting laws and being intolerant to these problems.

These small changes at the base or in cement or bricks can create a changed and resistant building of “New India” and “New world” very soon.