The most burning problem in our country is the need for national integration. This is a subject that is most talked o, but on which the least work is done. Many who consider this as important o not follow up their precept with practice. There are several ways in which such integration could be attempted, even if not successfully achieved. One of them is the promotion of communal harmony.

Communal troubles have been aplenty in very part of our country in recent times. Anti-social elements which, sometimes, include even unscrupulous politicians try to fish in troubled waters by whipping up communal frenzy and hatred. They do not care for the loss of life or property or the dignity and the welfare of the country at large. All that they are interested in is their own advantage.

Workers in a mill, for example, many have a real grievance that they are not paid well, that the bonus they get is not consistent with the production-profits or that the amenities provided are insufficient. They may go on a strike just to induce the management to take note of their grievances. But the situation would be made to go out of control by some vested interests not by really fighting for their cause, but by making they believe that communal animosity is behind the attitude of the management. Even among the workers this `communal bogey’ may be raised. In the end, the struggle may cease to be one between the workers and the management, but between one community and another.

People do not stop to think where this communal disharmony would take them. Our country is passing through a critical period-economically, politically and socially. We are surrounded by neighbors who wait for a chance to swoop down upon us. In this context, if we do not avoid communal disharmony and if we do not think of ourselves as Indians first and last, we would be playing into the hands of our enemies. Our daily life would become a night-mare. If the future generation is to enjoy peace, to-day everyone should realize the need for communal harmony and strive towards it.