Terrorism- violence- war : Is there a solution?

By Kulwant Singh and David R Leffler

Is there a solution to terrorism, violence and war? Even between Pakistan and India ? Yes. A solution to these perennial problems can be found in ancient knowledge of Vedic defence. Veda means pure knowledge. Because pure knowledge is non-religious and universal, the Vedic solution of Invincible Defence Technology can be universally applied by the followers all religious beliefs or non-believers for the benefit of humankind.

This article examines issues that give rise to violence, how Invincible Defence Technology works, the places' this human resource-based technology has succeeded and its scientific validation. This technology of peace is prevention-orientated, life supporting, nourishing and non-destructive. Invincible Defence Technology is being vigorously and successfully revived as a powerful tool for conflict resolution and prevention by renowned scientists worldwide under the guidance of physicist and Vedic scholar Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Terrorism and violence are on the rise. This is a global problem. Although intensities may differ, almost every country now faces such menaces. Suicide attacks are spreading fast, which adds a new dimension to the problem. Today terrorists may attack with weapons of mass destruction. Suicidal human carriers can strike any location with pin-point accuracy using a wide variety of dreadfully destructive weapons.

History shows that weapons or large militaries can stop terrorist-related violence. Use of force further hardens the terrorists. A recent example is Palestine and Israel. Israel is backed by the United States. Even with the support of this powerful nation, a mighty military force, and the use of all kinds of sophisticated weapons, Palestinian terrorists can not be tamed.

There are other examples. Despite massive bombing and ground operations. Al Qaeda is still strong. In spite of prolonged confrontation with the Sri Lankan military, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are still a formidale force. The mighty Indian armed forces can not curb terrorism in Kashmir. This list of failures goes on and on and leads to a simple conclusion-- war, weapons, and militaries cannot bring peace.

It is ironic that powerful nations bomb weaker nations in the name of peace. The logic of this dubious strategy could be summed up by this paraphrased statement of a US soldier in Vietnam- ''We destroyed the village so it would not fall into enemy hands!'' This is essentially the same excuse powerful nations still give today-military intervention for peace. The United States did it in Vietnam, Russia did it in Afghanistan, India in Sri Lanka; all big militaries returned bleeding, leaving smaller countries in turmoil. Bombing for peace carries on unabated even today.

If mighty militaries cannot win against terrorists and violence and crime can not be eradicated from our society, then why do governments continue to use the instrument of war to get peace ?

The reason is quite simple- they have not identified and addressed the factors that lead to crime, violence, terrorism, war, and all negative tendencies. For a layman, or even a trained military person, the reasons for these problems are commonly known and perceived. They include greed, territorial disputes, religion-linked conflicts, expansionist tendencies, economic compulsions, and so on.

However, according to Vedic literature the root cause of these negative tendencies is the accumulated social stress in the society. Therefore, Governments do not need weapons and large armed forces to reduce the levels of stress of individuals and society as a whole.

The Vedic solution to reduce individual and collective stress is to increase coherence and harmony through the regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) programme. The technique is practiced for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily, sitting comfortably with eyes closed. It is simple, natural, effortless, and easy to learn. This scientifically validated mental technique requires no special posture, procedures or religious belief. It can be learned in five days with a one and half hour contact period, each day, under the guidance of an expert teacher.

The answer to terrorism is the Vedic Technology of the TM technique and its advanced practice of the TM-Sidhi programme, including Yogic Flying. In Yogic Flying, the body involuntarily hops upward and moves forward when mind-body coordination is optimum and brain coherence is on the peak. The TM and TM-Sidhi programmes increase coherence and harmony in the environment and reduce social stress in society. This fact is backed by over 600 scientific studies undertaken by 200 renowned universities. On a practical level, Invincible Defence Technology has been successfully demonstrated in many parts of the world in conflict prone zones and terrorist-infested regions.

The group practice of the TM and TM-Sidhi programme is an extremely powerful means to reduce stress in society and increase harmony and coherence. Scientific research indicates that the consciousness of each individual meditator in a group contributes to the group's consciousness-- the intensity and range of coherence is directly proportionate to the number of meditators in the group. The larger the number of participants, the greater the intensity and range of coherence that is radiated to the society and environment. In group practice, each meditating individual becomes a transmitter of orderlines and peace in society. This process is analogous to the way a television or radio transmitter enlivens the electromagnetic field in specific manner and then transmits waves through the field-waves that can be picked up at a distance.

These coherent signals could be called by many names, ''Pulses of coherence,'' ''Signals of good will,'' ''Signals of Harmony,'' ''Signals of peace'', and so on. Coherent signals generate peaceful gestures even amongst bitter enemies. Their intensity can be measured by the positive effects created on the entire environment, society and each member of society. The collective practice of the TM & TM-Sidhi programme, its positive effects on surrounding population and effects measured on far-off places, are highly indicative of a field effect phenomenon. Once the Yogic Fliers stop practicing the TM and TM-Sidhi programme, the coherence in the environment also ceases. This effect would be like radio or TV transmitter station having a ''power failure''. The coherent radio waves would no longer be received by radio or TV receivers.

Extremely large numbers of practitioners of Invincible Defence Technology are not needed to eliminate collective social stress. One percent of the population practising the TM Technique, or only the square root of one percent practising the TM-Sidhi programme in a group is adequate to create coherence and harmony in the society. This group of coherence creators would affect all people, including those not participating and not even aware of the group. The TM and TM-Sidhim programmes positively affect the individual physiology because of the deep rest and relaxation they provide and increase of brain coherence due to mind-body coordination. This results in orderliness in individual behaviour, and simultaneously affects society and the environment in a positive manner. Over fifty scientific studies have documented positive peace indicators amongst warring groups, including reductions of crime and violence reductions, increased. This positive effect in society has been named as ''Maharishi Effect''. The number involved in coherence-creating group is so small that the beneficial effects on society cannot be accounted for by behavioral interaction of coherence-creating group with the other members of the society.

Dr John Hagelin, a Harvard trained quantum physicist and recipient of the prestigious Kilby award, states: ''Just as anger can spread through a population, so can calm. Humanity is connected at the deepest level of human interaction- an abstract, quiet communication- so that collective consciousness can be influenced in a tangible and measurable way; there is a proven correlation between meditation and reduced social stress.'' While illustrating the scientific basis for Maharishi Effect, he further elaborates: ''This practical approach, known as Invincible Defence Technology, applies cutting-edge discoveries in quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and human consciousness to diffuse stress, effectively disarming the aggressor. It targets at the root cause of violence- acute stress resulting from religions and ethnic tension.''

In spite of the studies and field tests, those functionaries in the Government who could approve the proposal and implement it are reluctant to do so on two major accounts. Firstly, some people are ignorant about Invincible Defence Technology and how it acts, and tend to disbelieve its potential. For this reason, such people need a detailed explanation. The second category is those who understand the possibility of bringing peace by Invincible Defence Technology, but actively resist its implementation due to vested interests. These people are under pressure from arms producing countries, who give financial aid to poor countries, encourage warring groups and then sell arms to both the parties. We know for certain that countries trading in arms do not encourage deployment of Invincible Defence Technology because if the world adopts it, powerful countries will have to close their ''weapon shops', adversely effecting their economy.

Invincible Defence Technology is cheap and easy to implement; it is prevention oriented, brings in holistic positivity in the environment. It decisively targets the very cause of violence, killing and war. Maharishi is broadcasting this message to the whole world, and the authors are convinced that he is the only person who has the solution to the problem that has defied the world--terrorism and violence. World leaders ar fully aware of this powerful technology, but do not implement it due to vested interests.

One can wake up a sleeping man but how to you wake up a man who is pretending to sleep ?

For further information visit http://www.tm.org.

Teleconferences changes market dynamics

By V Mohan Rao

Years ago, telecom stood for ''Tell and Come''. A trunk call or a telegram had its importance in the public mind. It was a tool to communicate the seriousness of a thing. Now the concept has changed totally.

Telecom today means-- ''Come on-line Telling.'' Some define it as Tell-Come on Line. That's what Tele (video) conferencing is. Once upon a time, a Government employee used telephone calls to inform his boss at the headquarters that he would undertake a journey to attend a scheduled official meeting. So, it was a ''Tell and then Come'' affair. Now, once video conferencing is in its place, Come telling on-line will be the fact of the life without involving physical travel.

The electronic mode of communication would certainly save money several-fold besides the precious time. Go through the records. There are thousands and thousands of disputed cases where travelling allowance is a bone of contention. There are people who have literally amassed huge money by 'undertaking' tours. How is it possible in an organised sector-Government or private?

The modus operandi is simple. And even logical too. When asked to go out in tour, the employee travels in a class lower than the entitlement- often in the ordinary or sleeper second class. The claim is, however, made for the class of entitlement and the 'extra' reimbursement' is a bonus to meet some extra expnditure. It was perfectly legal as long as the going was favourable. Otherwise one lands in anti-corruption bureau net. This is true of Government sector. Not in the private sector. It must be said to its credit that its tour travel rules and practices were and are liberal.

Now cut to the present that is the 'Tell-Come on Line' phase of our communication revolution, and you see the difference. What a difference it is. Distances and geographical limitations are no longer road blocks to tele-com. Land-line, cell-line and satellite-line, you name it you have it to reach out. Then there is this innovation of video-conferencing that brings picure alive with sound and becomes a much more intimate exercise that substitutes physical presence round a discussion table.

The southern states have stolen a march over states in video conferencing as an official tool to monitor ground realities on a host of subjects of public importance. The facility helps the chief executive (chief minister in the case of a State Government) or any senior state level functionary to be in touch with district level officials not only for regular updates but also to offer tips for success after taking a close look at the performance. Inherent in the video conference is the fear of the unknown (of the boss) in the subordinates that provides the trigger for a better show.

There is another aspect to these conferences besides cutting cost of TA bills. And that is, when the 'talk' is 'simultaneously viewed' by other colleagues across the State. It is not a one-on-one talk. When one talks the entire ''crowd' across a geographical area of the network listens and passes value judgement. This awareness is another trigger to avoid being a laggard.

In case, the 'conference' is conducted in the presence of local media or put out on the local cable, the dividends will be fantastic, much more than a normal conference. This is what a leading southern state has been doing for a while; the bashing by the chief minister is as much a talk of the town as the 'good show' by the official making his 'on-line' report to the boss.

The on-line dealings have had their positive fallout across the entire administration. It is time the Centre too switches over to this tool and make in the process Vigyan Bhavan redundant. The Supreme Court and some of the High Courts are planning to use on-line correspondence (e-courts). The teleconferencing facility would enable lawyers to make oral submissions or arguments even when they are away from the courts.

Some Governmens are also introducing e-governance for convenience of their police personnel (e-cops) for handling the situation arising out of law and order problems. A clear example to show that the video conference has arrived on the scene was the tete-tete the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had Village sarpanches of Bhuj to know first hand the progress of quake-relief work. These days he is also keeping in touch with his Lucknow constituency through the 'new' facility.

Apex industry bodies like ASSOCHAM and FICCI are in favour of teleconferencing or video conferencing. Some major multi-national companies are even planning to hold their board meetings through video-conferencing.

As broadly pointed out earlier, the major advantage of these 'conferences' is that the progress in the implementation of the developmental projects is assured with the continuous monitoring by the supervising authority even while miles away from the actual field. Whether it is percentage of attendance in remote area schools or whether it is availability of medicines in a primary health centre (PHC), statistics start pouring in form all corners of the State. And it makes planning and execution easy.

Tele-medicine is a by-product of the tele-come bonanza. The introduction of video conferencing in the field of medicine has certainly saved the lives of many people who were not capable of being taken to specialists and specialised clinics. Some of the North-Eastern states are equipped with teleconferencing facility in the health care benefiting lakhs of people. The centres have facilities like X-Ray, Ultrasound, Electro-cardiogram, and pathology microscope and dermatology cameras.

The reports on the patients' problems are directly transmitted to the 'long distance doctor specialist'. Corporate hospitals like the Apollo, the Asia Heart Foundation, (Bangalore), Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, (Calcutta) and the Narayan Hrudayalaya in Bangalore have made giant strides in extending medicare through telemedicine. They have tie-ups with the seven north-eastern states.

Amidst debate whether the 'conference' system would legally viable or not, some State Governments are expanding the facility. The Tamil Nadu Government for instance, has taken up a proposal to connect the jails with the courts so that there is no physical movement of under trials just for facilitating their further remand.

It is a welcome sign that the Department of Company Affairs has in principle taken a decision to amend the Section 166 (2) of the Companies Act, for permitting Board meetings through Tele or video Conferencing. This kind of facility is already in place in countries like the US, Japan and Canada since long.

Some people express the view over the genuineness of a Board directors participating in the teleconferencing. This can be sorted out by identifying the image of the concerned person during the on-line transaction. At such a level, there cannot be any chance of committing fraud by any of the Board members because it not only involves their bread and butter but also their prestige in the society.

In the debate over issue, people opposing the view feel that the physical presence of Board of Directors at a particular geographical location would help resolving matters related to the issue of shares, annual accounts, and appointment to key positions.

It is okay if the matters have become so complicated that their physical presence is a must. Once upon a time, an approved schedule was being prepared to finalise the venue for the annual meet of the Board of Directors. The meeting places selected were used to be hill resorts, pilgrim places involving huge expenditure for the organizations.

One important thing is to be borne in the mind is uninterrupted power supply to make the tele or video conferencing effective. Frequent power failures would only complicate the matters from had to worse. Alternative arrangements to ensure continuous power supply should be put in place before switching on the video cameras. (Syndicate Features)