Chapter Sixteen

Peace in Kashmir small in size but, in terms of progress and prosperity, are in much better shape than many big countries. Man is a ‘psychological creature’. It is a person’s psyche that creates his personality. Experience shows that if someone develops a negative psyche, his entire personality becomes negative. On the other hand, if someone develops a positive psyche, his entire personality becomes positive. This rule applies as much to individuals as it does to groups, communities and countries. The problem of Jammu and Kashmir has been a continuing source of bitterness between India and Pakistan from 1947 onwards. In this long period, both countries have viewed each other as enemies. Each of them feels that the other has robbed it of its rights. ‘I may have been defeated, but so have you!’ they think in relation to each other. Consequently, both countries are driven by the very strongly negative emotions they feel for each other. Their relations are such that they simply cannot properly focus on constructive work for their own progress. Now, if both countries were to behave wisely, new doors of progress would open up for them. For this, however, they would have to replace their negative approach with a positive one. ‘I may have been defeated, but so have you!’ would have to be replaced by ‘I won, and so have you!’ Till now, these two neighbouring countries have viewed each other as deadly enemies. But if a fundamental change in psyche occurs, they will begin to see each other as friends. Till now, both countries have lived with a sense of having been deprived of their due. But if they change to a positive way of thinking, they can focus on their achievements instead. Till now, both countries have thought of themselves as surrounded by problems. But through positive thinking they can see that they are surrounded by numerous opportunities. Despite their geographical and political separation, a constructive unity can be established between them. And all this would be a miraculous result of both countries having adopted the ‘win-win solution’ path.