'Time to seek Indian soln to global conflict resolution'

New Delhi, Jan 16: Terming the ''clash of civilisations'' as a Western construct and monologue, and their prevailing conflict resolution mode, based on use of military hegemony, as unable to ensure lasting peace, a trio of prominent personalities have launched a new global initiative to propagate the Indian method of conflict avoidance.

Announcing the launch of Global Foundation for Civilisational Harmony (India), media moghul Subhash Chandra, Intelligence Bureau's ex-director Ajit Doval and Delhi's former Lt Governor Vijai Kapoor said the initiative was to enhance the hitherto meagre Indian/Eastern contribution in the global debate on civilisational issues.

''The West, or rather if we use the word developed world, is partly responsible for the current situation of the world. It is time to seek an Indian/Eastern perspective to the solution,'' Mr Chandra said, citing prominent historians Will Durant and Arnold Toynbee to support his contention.

Mr Kapoor also stressed that the Western 'hegemonic' way was not the solution, and the GFCH would endeavour to promote a 'new way of thinking.' In his comments, Mr Doval held that two current trends had made such initiatives necessary.

''Military superiority is no longer a guarantee of social and economic security, as in asymmetric warfare, it is longer certain that the powerful side can achieve its political goals, and science and technology have led to the development of human destruction to the capacity, that it can be beyond state control,'' he said.

The GFCH is concerned at the West-centric response to emerging conflicts, which sees it a clash between modernity and traditions, the three said, terming it an ''over-simplification of a complex issue.'' The Foundation will be formally launched on January 22 by former President A P J Abdul Kalam and Nobel Peace prize laureate and Tibetan leader Dalai Lama. Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha Swami Dayananda Saraswati will preside over the function, while other prominent religious and spiritual leaders including Art of Life founder Sri Sri Ravishankar, yoga proponent Swami Ramdev, head of Deoband seminary Dr Mahmood Ali Madani, Mumbai Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Akal Takht's Chief Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and from the Jain and Jewish communities will also be present.

A book titled 'Transcending Conflicts -- the Indian and Eastern Way,' edited by a board of eminent scholars headed by Dr Kireet Joshi, will be released on the occasion. The book contains 20 articles by distinguished scholars, thinkers and activists.

UNI