Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is one of the most powerful phrases in Sanskrit which is the signifier of unity, peace and oneness. The phrase means that the world is one family. We all are familiar with this message in the Indian context that how being different from one and another, there lies an essence of shared essence which binds us together. A nation cannot exist in isolation. There has to be an interaction among people so that a feeling of comradeship takes place. If each of the concerned places has its own way of living, there would have been a scenario of utter chaos. However, we all exist individually because we also exist together. We might not be aware of our togetherness, but somewhere there is a presence of some force that ties us with each other. That is the power of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Be it the education sphere, the government, the common people, the bureaucracy, military, and similar ladders of the society, all are bind together in one thread. Unity always lies in diversity. It cannot exist in a vacuum.
With the advent of modernization, a phenomenon which has spread across the globe and has helped the world to be knit in single thread is the phenomenon of globalization which gets its roots from globalism. Globalization and globalism are interconnected processes wherein the former is the process of social, economic, cultural and political contacts are maintained across the globe at the international level and the latter are the set of policies that are implemented in order to bring about globalization. Therefore, when it comes to establish relations worldwide, the meaning of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam gets more intact because then the whole world becomes one family.
In India, globalism has enabled other countries to be in contact with India. India is a country known for diversity and democracy. Hence, be it US, China or Japan, we are in sync with all the major countries. The Sanskrit phrase is not only applicable to India for its internal unity but we have made a remarkable place in the world as well. This is because, we believe in being connected to one and all. The recent visit of our honorable Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to US was witnessed by each one of us. Therein, he talked about the importance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and how it is the essence of India. He spoke in Hindi in a nation wherein the whole population is oblivious of it. However, this is the power of such a unity. The various chains such as UNESCO, UNDP, FDI and similar economic and humanitarian platforms in India have enabled not only to bring nations closer, but is also helping India in growing every day.
Whatever task it is, it is a general fact that when it is done with a workforce, it always becomes comparatively easier as compared to when it is done single handedly. In the former case, more and more ideas gets to the front and accordingly things becomes less challenging. This is applicable to all the nations in the world as well. Be it any nation, one thing that remains constant is human nature which always functions well amidst togetherness. Some nations are strong in one thing, others have strengths in other aspects. That is why, it is essential for the nations to be in friendly terms with one another.
In the present scenario, globalization along with globalism acts as blessing in disguise for the world to become one family. Indeed, the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has become synonymous to the old testament of globalism. The phrase which was written in Upanishads way before is now being witnessed through the process of globalization. Be it the national and the international universities, the food joints (McDonalds’, KFC, Subways), foreign exchange policies, various international fashion trends, student exchange programs in the universities all act as the signifiers of how the world is becoming one family irrespective of race, color and creed. In fact, in difference lies unison. That is the beauty of globalism.
I would like to end my article by referring to a neologism termed as Globophilia. According to Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization, the term means an affinity towards the processes of Globalization and globalism as these help nations grow and prosper through the years. The modernization and all the technological advancements have been possible through the interaction of nations with other nations. A sense of belongingness to one family not only builds up unity, but also ensures a feeling of security and brotherhood.