by Professor Dasan Swaminathan
The world stands at a crossroads, besieged by unimaginable catastrophes that shake us to our very core. The recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar is a stark reminder of nature’s unforgiving power—nations left in ruins, countless lives lost, and rescue teams tirelessly sifting through the rubble in a desperate search for survivors.
Aftershocks reverberated as far as Vietnam, amplifying the terror and uncertainty that lingers long after the initial quake.
How do we make sense of the increasingly frequent disasters reshaping our world? Are these calamities harbingers of a climate crisis spiralling beyond control? Floods devastate communities, claiming lives and destroying homes, leaving behind anguish and despair.
Meanwhile, human-made disasters occur daily—avoidable tragedies that cause irreparable harm to lives and property. It is deeply troubling that in this age of advanced technology and scientific insight, we remain so vulnerable to the wrath of nature.
And what of the unending wars and conflicts that tear nations apart? Resources and energy that could be harnessed to cure diseases and uplift humanity are instead consumed by the fires of hatred and violence.
It feels as if humanity is caught between the fury of a wounded environment and the rage of unrelenting conflict. I am neither a doomsayer nor a bearer of hopelessness, but I cannot help but ask:
How can we, as a global community, come together to find real, lasting solutions to these profound challenges?
For thousands of years, hostility and animosity have plagued mankind—an ancient wound that continues to fester. If we could transcend this cycle of hatred and learn to see one another as brothers and sisters, perhaps, just perhaps, life on this planet could be a little better.
Yet, this transformation requires more than mere words; it demands a genuine willingness to accept and embrace all of humanity.
What do we do to solve these predicaments? As I mentioned before, forming a world body to solve these issues may be able to address some of these issues facing the world today.
This body must have absolute powers to overcome and address the issues confronting the world today. However, even multinational organisations like the United Nations have been unsuccessful in solving many world issues, although it has been in existence since the end of the Second World War.
I can only reflect on the pain and turmoil enveloping our world and hope we find the strength, wisdom and compassion to forge a better path together.
Professor Dasan Swaminathan is an advocate for world peace, equality and justice for all mankind