Barely had the ink dried on the paper on which an MoU was signed between Rotary and the Symbiosis International University, Pune, India, and the world was embroiled in yet another conflict, not chosen or desired by 99 per cent of the countries. The US-Israel military attacks on Iran, and its strong response has put in grave danger the citizens and civic infrastructure of even once-friendly neighbouring countries of the Arab world.
At the time of writing this edit, the war in West Asia rages unabated, destroying homes, killing or crippling people and devastating not only human lives but raising fear and unanswerable questions about whether we humans, who have always considered ourselves superior to other species on Planet Earth, are fit to inhabit it. Our unending greed, wanting to grab as much as possible of the earth’s resources for ourselves, coupled with lust for power which we believe only the most sophisticated and destructive military equipment can fetch us, is rapidly destroying our planet.
A lot has been written about the strategic position of the Strait of Hormuz which Iran controls and has virtually closed it, except to some of its longstanding friends, including India. Roughly 20 per cent of the world’s energy (oil, LNG, etc) moves through this critical waterway, and for countries in the Persian Gulf region, it is also a vital food supply route. It is estimated that Saudi Arabia imports over 80 per cent of its food, the UAE, about 90 per cent and Qatar 98 per cent! As the conflict chokes this strait, food will have to come into the region through alternate routes, sharply increasing food costs, and driving shortage.
In India LPG supply has already been disrupted as we are facing a huge cooking gas shortage, and as Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Indian Parliament, nearly 1 crore Indians live and work in the Gulf. With missiles flowing around and bombings continuing, concern for their safety is rising.
What this accelerating conflict in West Asia needs is a serious and credible peace broker, who can calm frayed nerves, quieten shrill and angry voices and facilitate dialogue. Several analysts of geopolitics have suggested that India and its leadership are well suited to play this role as it has enjoyed cordial relations with all the three nations involved. One is certain that backchannel diplomacy efforts for some calm and serious efforts to bring all the sides on the negotiation table are already on.
In this background and the emergence of highly volatile pockets in a world where acrimony and animosities are multiplying at an alarming rate, Rotary’s Peace Centers acquire so much more meaning. To my ears the core message of RI President Francesco’s address at the inauguration of the Pune Centre continues to ring true…. fear of the other and failure to understand the other side’s point of view is the root of all problems. Trust and understanding to build little bridges between people, and freedom from “poverty, hate and prejudice,” can usher in a more peaceful world… only if we have the heart and mind to look for them.
But how do you move closer to the lofty goals he spelt out… shedding fear of strangers who have been portrayed to you as evil and dangerous… is the million-dollar question. We are in an era where each warring side digs in its heels and holds steadfast to its position, which is invariably filled with fear, prejudice and hatred.
Can we hope for a messiah who can heal wounds, melt away fear and prejudices, and gently coax strangers to embrace each other? Can Rotary evolve into one….?
Rasheeda Bhagat