India is one of the ancient civilizations in the world. It is the
seventh largest in area and it accounts for 2.4 per cent of the total
geographical area of the world. It is the second most populous country in the
world with around 1.271 billion people (2015), which is more than one sixth,
(17.5%), of the world population. India is a leading supplier of human
resources to the world. India is the largest secular democracy in the world. It
has made versatile socio-economic progress after independence; commendable
achievements have been made in the field of agriculture, animal husbandry,
industry and technology. India is one of the top producers of milk in the
world. India is second in wheat and rice production. India is the second
largest producer of fruits and vegetables and it contributes 32% of the total
fruit production in the world. It is one of the twelve mega
biodiversity countries of the world and is rich in varied wildlife species. Moreover, it is also home to a number
of brilliant scientists who are capable of producing ingenious inventions
economically. India is first in remote sensing satellites. Following the successful demonstration flights
of Bhaskara 1 and Bhaskara II launched in 1979 and 1981, respectively, India
began development of an indigenous IRS (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite)
program to support the national economy in the areas of "agriculture,
water resources, forestry, and ecology, geology, water sheds, marine fisheries
and coastal management." The Indian Remote Sensing Satellites are the
main-stay of National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS), for which
Department of Space (DOS) is the nodal agency, providing operational remote
sensing data services. Data from the IRS satellites is received and
disseminated by several countries all over the world. With the advent of high
resolution satellites, new applications in the areas of urban sprawl,
infrastructure planning and other large scale applications for mapping have
been initiated. India is the fourth largest military power in the world. India
is a force to be reckoned with. It is, therefore, significant to give weight to
India’s voice. It is high time that India is given a permanent seat in the
Security Council of the United Nations. India, no doubt, can contribute immensely
to the peace, progress and prosperity of all countries.
I
always cherished a world under one flag without any borders or barriers; a
common currency; a right to move freely anywhere in the world without any
restriction or hindrance and to carry on any occupation or profession of one’s
choice. Freedom of speech and expression is vital. Justice, Equality, Liberty
and Fraternity, the great pillars of a secular democratic republic, assuring
the dignity of the individual, subject to reasonable restrictions by the State,
are significant. Bonded labour and other exploitation of human beings should
cease. Every human being has the freedom to profess, practice and propagate any
religion of his choice. But the individuals with troubled, turbulent mind and
blind faith should not be subjected to exploitation by religious priests. There
should not be any oppression or persecution of the minorities. These principles
are enshrined in Chapter III of the Constitution of India and fundamental
documents of other secular democracies in the world, and these basic principles
shall be a reality for all people in the world. It is the sovereignty of the
people that is paramount and which in a democratic State can only be asserted
through a vote in Parliament or a directly elected body of the people. Presently
a big portion of the world happens to be under democratic system of Government.
Theoretically, this system stands out to be the best up to now. But corruption,
nepotism, terrorism, communalism, regionalism and problems relating to
languages are the weaknesses found in a democratic system, which divided human
society. The welfare of the people is often neglected. Moreover, the ethical
and moral degradation is being observed constantly in public life.
No
religion could hold people or nations together; and therefore, they should not
interfere in politics. Nation/s should not directly or indirectly sponsor or
support terrorism. Rebels and fanatics should resort to dialogues to sort out
issues, and the concerned nation/s should heed to their reasonable demands. We
should put an end to war and persistent terrorism that are threatening international
peace, security and progress. All the “-isms” such as patriotism, communalism, nationalism,
regionalism, fascism, capitalism, communism and religious imperialism that
divide mankind should vanish. I always dream of an idyllic and just world of
peace, non-violence, prosperity, happiness and wellbeing without any arms,
ammunitions and unhealthy competitions. Mutual respect and non-interference in
other’s affairs is vital. The gulf that exists between the rich and the poor
should be minimized as much as possible and that should become a reality for
all. Every being should be assured of means
for a decent living. I would like to advocate the message of love and self-sacrifice
to all beings, a common philosophy of life to bind the people and the nations
as one, overcoming the pettiness of race, boundaries and religion.
We
should stop manufacturing weapons and ammunitions with devastating powers.
United Nations is making significant contributions for disarmament, which is
inevitable to avert the threat to international peace and security. Nations should
voluntarily reduce the stockpile of weapons of mass destruction in their arsenal
to reduce tension in the world. The amounts spent on weapons, war and conflicts
could create hatred and bloodshed. This could instead be utilized productively,
for feeding, clothing, sheltering and educating the socially, culturally,
educationally backward people around the world.
The
developments in science and technology especially the modern means of
communication has destroyed natural frontiers and have overcome long distance
and helped in the development and growth of trade and commerce. The economic
and political compulsions have started to bind the nations together. I staunchly
believe that “Globalization” is the first milestone to attain this goal. I would
like to appreciate the earnest efforts of the United Nations for the common
good of its members like drawing up the international air routes and the navigation
routes. The Universal Postal Union introducing postal pin codes and the uniform
international terms for conducting
international postal duties are all commendable. United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which seeks to create gender equality in law and in social situations,
such as democratic activities and securing equal pay for equal work is
praiseworthy. Streamlining uniform educational and health standards and
child welfare are also to be recognized as this would help greatly in the
formation of a world government.
There
should be a strong and stable central government with minimum powers; with a common
set of minimum laws and a common penal code. The right to patents, copy rights
and trademarks and branding should not be a tool to exploit the masses; these
should be limited to a maximum of ten years only and the advancement in science
and the latest technology should be made available to all who would yearn for
it and they should be given the advantage of the cheaper price.
Preserve
all the cultural heritages, and promote cultural
cooperation for better understanding and friendship among people
and nations. Promote
people-to-people exchange involving, among others, parliamentarians, youth,
artists, sportspersons and representatives from business, industry, media,
academic and think-tank institutions.
Inter-racial
and inter-religious marriages should also be encouraged to reduce tension and racism.
The theory of both superiority and inferiority complex is based on aversion to
strangers and is used as propaganda to promote conquest and domination of other
people. Inter-racial marriages would help in producing better breed and class of
human beings. We need to help one another and grow together; we should create a
world free from resentments, anger and frustrations. In this state we would achieve our goal of universal
love, peace, happiness and prosperity.
Socialism is the only alternative to the Capitalist system, in which
production will be for use, not profit; people will have free access to wealth
in accordance with their self-determined needs, not in accordance with their
ability to pay; members of society will administer their affairs democratically
and humanely, not according to the dictates of profits and power. The Socialist
Party in the whole world stands solely for the abolition of Capitalism and the
establishment of Socialism, where the means of wealth production and
distribution are commonly owned and democratically controlled by all the
people.
The wages system only exists as long as labour power is a commodity.
When commodity production for sale with a view to profit is replaced with the
production of useful goods and services for human need, prices, including
wages, will no longer be necessary.
Socialism will be a world-wide society in which the means of wealth
production and distribution are commonly owned and democratically controlled by
all the people, without distinction of race or sex. Production and distribution
will be democratically planned, with the sole purpose of providing comfort and
happiness for the inhabitants of the earth. Some of the mechanisms for world
planning are already in existence, such as the United Nations Food and Health
Organization which compiles statistics about resources, and the various
scientific research bodies which are presently aware of the solutions to many
economic problems; but these cannot be implemented under Capitalism. The
talents and aspirations of men and women will be fully utilized in a socialist
society, and much of the unpleasant or boring work will be done by machines.
Socialism will combine productive efficiency with social pleasure. The
relationship between work and leisure will disappear. Instead of being
alienated from real power, people will have reason to cooperate harmoniously.
No longer a worker, relying on a wage in order to live; no longer one of those
cogs in a machine, spending a lifetime in drudgery and useless toil. You, with
a creative ability that is distinctive to human beings, will be in a position
to use your potential and hitherto hidden and frustrated talents for your own
benefit and that of the whole of humanity: no longer living in a nightmare
world of inflation, unemployment, war and other problems. Instead, society's
ingenuity will be harnessed for a common purpose. You will play your part; you
will accept the responsibilities of working and co-operating with others to ensure
a full and happy life. There will be problems to solve; but Socialism will have
harmonious foundations from which we will go forth. Let your imagination play
for a moment or two on the boundless possibilities that will open up.
It is neither fanciful nor idealistic to envisage a society without
war, poverty, starvation, unemployment and wage labour. Only such a society can
put an end to the rat-race in which the working class can never hope for
security. With the strength of understanding of the world around us, the
motivation of desire for a new social order, and the united efforts of millions
of class-conscious men and women, there is no force which can stand in the way
of the establishment of Socialism.
Excerpts from
MEMOIRS
An autobiography
by
Joseph J. Thayamkeril
Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@google.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com
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