TOLERANCE, PEACE AND COMMUNAL HARMONY (INDIA)

TOLERANCE

The word ‘tolerance’ means ‘the willingness to accept opinions or behavior you may not agree with’. It means to express one’s point of view in a decent and respectful way while respecting the sentiments of others.

Tolerance is necessary in all spheres of life, at every stage and level. It helps establish peace in society.

Importance of tolerance:

Accept religions differences – Victor Hugo observes that ‘Tolerance is the best religion’. 

Peoples religious practices and worship is a personal thing and they have the right to believe in the religion they want. If there is tolerance, there would be few quarrels on the basis of religion.

Brings community together – When individuals respect and value religious differences and ethical beliefs, they are able to learn from each other. Thus, it destroys prejudice and encourages community building.

Respect each one’s ideas and thoughts – If we are tolerant, we are able to respect and appreciate each one’s ideas and thoughts and thus people can feel valued and respected.

Peaceful world – While world leaders struggle with arms race, and are trying to gain supremacy over the other, it is important to promote tolerance. In order to avoid mass destruction, tolerance will pave the way for a peaceful world

Good relationship – Tolerance is required for good and long relationships. If one is rigid in one’s thought process, misunderstandings occur, and it affects relationships. Tolerance saves relationships.

Teamwork and coordination – Tolerance is very essential at the workplace. With employees from different cultural, social and religious backgrounds working together, things can get challenging. Tolerance facilitates teamwork and coordination among employees.

PEACE & COMMUNAL HARMONY

Peace refers to absence of war. It is a state of being free from any form of human conflict and violence. When there is peace in a country, people are able to progress and there is development and prosperity. This enables an improvement in the standard of living of all citizens. Peace creates trust, tolerance and brotherhood among people.

India is a country with a number of religions and religious beliefs and practices as well as cultures and is an important example of communal harmony to the world.

Importance of peace and communal harmony

It improves economic performance of the country

It helps to bring cooperation among people of different communities

It develops a sense of brotherhood and reduces communal clashes

It brings success in the lives of every individual

It reduces crime in society

It encourages innovation

It ensure we live in a better world and create an even better one for generations to come.