A tryst with destiny

Ravi PERERA

Sri Lanka is the proud host of the 15th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

The organizers have worked round the clock to prepare Colombo for the parley, which will go on till the 4th of August. Naturally, security is foremost in their minds and every effort is being made to ensure a safe and incident free conference.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation commonly known as SAARC was established in 1985. Like similar organisations in other parts of the world the foremost aims of the regional grouping was the achievement of peace and prosperity for its people.

The organizations charter speaks of the importance of accelerated economic growth for the achievement of its fundamental aims.

Not so long ago a good part of what is now known as South Asia was under the British rule. The fact that the SAARC conference would be mainly conducted in English is a direct result of the region’s long association with that country.

And it is most likely that during the intervals in their deliberations and the inevitable evening cocktails the participants would attempt to break the ice by talking cricket.

Undoubtedly the local delegation will earn extra mileage at least at cocktail banter, from the brilliant performance of our cricketers against the touring Indian team, easily the largest and most powerful nation in the SAARC grouping.

The people of this region have taken to Cricket, that very English game with a remarkable fervour. Some argue that there are “cultural” similarities between the uncertain and meandering course of a typical game of Cricket and the somewhat sedentary flow of life in the sub-continent.

Although very little seem to be happening in the field during a maiden over for instance, to the devotee this very inaction is full of deep meaning and subtlety. Very little can be taken for granted, after a wearing effort, things can yet end in a frustrating draw.

Like in life, Cricket demonstrates repeatedly that nothing is certain until the last ball is bowled. The wily bowling of one diminutive spinner can humble a fancied team from a large and powerful nation. When it comes to decision time size is not the decisive factor.

SAARC, in terms of population is the largest regional organisation in the world. With behemoth India and the considerable populations of Pakistan and Bangladesh the region accounts for about 1.5 Billion people.

In terms of religions all major faiths, particularly Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism have large followings in South Asia. When it comes to languages this region boasts of an amazing number of tongues. In cultural diversity it is one of the richest in the world.

The major nations in the SAARC group have now been independent for over 60 years. Unfortunately in the intervening period much of the early promise that actuated the great independence struggle in the sub-continent has faded.

In terms of statistics related to quality of life, apart from the large populations, this region does not score well. Today a majority of the human beings living below the poverty line in the world are from our region.

Economic difficulties, social unrest, terrorism, corruption, pollution and a host of related problems have bedevilled the countries of the SAARC group. In relative terms they lag behind other comparable regions such as South East Asia and South America.

But since of late there is a discernible change in the fundamentals, both economic and political, of the region. India is now considered to be one of the awakening economies of the world with the potential to become a global powerhouse. Its unsettling border dispute with Pakistan may soon find an acceptable accommodation if not resolution.

In the SAARC countries where terrorist movements held sway for many years it now seems that the days when the gun ruled are numbered. The world has evolved and with it the time when terrorism was seemingly rewarding are ending.

Jawaharlal Nehru the first Prime Minister of independent India speaking at the Constituent Assembly on the eve of independence said “long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially...”

Nehru was too intelligent to declare final victory at the time. The region’s poverty, divisive politics, the shortage of managerial skills among other things did not allow for rapid development.

After centuries of slumber the responsibility of modern Statecraft was a heavy responsibility to carry. Pomp and pageantry of Statehood we have embraced but true greatness has eluded us. Perhaps now is the time to redeem our pledge in full measure.