Living in Hope

hand, the one who tried to solve the problem on other fronts not only came to possess the disputed land but the whole field belonging to his rival. When an electric bulb or an electric fan stops working, we do not devote our efforts only to the bulb or the fan to make them work again, because we know that the reason often lies outside the bulb and the fan. Simply by carrying out repairs at the proper place, we can set matters right. For example, by replacing a fuse, we can re-light the lamp and set the fan in motion again. Human affairs too are often of this nature. But it is a pity that what one remembers in terms of material matters, often forgets while solving social problems. The normal practice, when a problem arises, is to attempt to solve it then and there and in terms of the prevailing circumstances. But since present events so often stem from past events and sets of circumst­ ances, it is more circumspect to seek out the root causes elsewhere. Confrontation should be avoided at all costs and no factor which can produce positive results should be rejected or ignored. Even if such an approach seems lengthy and complicated, it is the only proce­dure which can lead to harmonious living in society.