An inconvenient truth

An inconvenient truth

This note is not about history. This is about reality. The existing reality which causes us pain, suffering and retaliation. It is a reflection of my understanding on its theme over an existing problem in Sri Lanka.

In 1293 B.C, King Edward I of England captured the "Stone of Destiny" of Scotland on his victory, as spoils of war from the Kingdom of Scotland. The stone was later kept under King/Queen of England's cornation chair. In 1328, it was agreed to return the stone to Kingdom of Scotland, though few groups had protested the stone being removed from the Westminster Abbey. It had never happened till recently (In 1996, England returned the stone to Scotland).

In 1950, a group of four students from Scotland made an attempt to steal the stone from the Abbey and to return it to the Scotland and had a success in their attempt. The book was about their journey and their pride on stealing the stone from the Westminster Abbey.

Kingdom of Scotland (843-1707) and Kingdom of England (927-1707) were formed during a same period by uniting regional kings in those respective areas. Kingdom of Scotland was a sovereign kingdom till it was united under a personal union by the King James VI of Scotland when he gained the throne of the Kingdom of England as Queen Elizabeth decease. Later both Kingdoms were brought under one “Kingdom of Great Britain” by the Act of Union 1707. Despite the historical facts, the Scottish people felt in the recent days that their fate is determined in London and started to raise their voice for an independent nation. The Scottish independence referendum 2014 is a reflect of their thirst for an independent Scotland where their national pride and sovereignty will last forever. One of the four students, Mr.Ian Hamilton wanted to do something to his motherland and decided to bring the Stone of Destiny back home. Stealing the stone from the Westminster Abbey was the plan. In due course he gained supports of Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson, and Alan Stuart to bring their national pride back to motherland. The plan, its pain and its success are illustrated in the book.

The moral of the story was, even after many centuries went, the people had their love for their national pride and dignity. National pride is something invaluable. Every nation has its own national pride. Unlike many of us understand, the nation does not necessarily reflect a country, unless otherwise a country is made of single ethnic origin.

In broader terms, a nation refers a community of people who share a common language, culture, ethnicity and history. Hence, each and every nation has its own aspirations, and that should be respected at all the time. Most of the united countries had learned hardly or otherwise on how to live together along with other communities. It involves sharing the power, land and respecting each other’s dignity. In the history of the world, we have seen that people rose again and again to restore their dignity and national pride.

What we have witnessed and learned in our own country for the last thirty five years was the same. Most of us do all possible measures to live, just to live. We want to live longer, no matter what. But, what makes few to sacrifice their life for a single cause. One man's word was considered the word of destiny. Not just one, hundreds and thousands followed the word to sacrifice their life. It was the thirst for the national pride which triggers the mind for a deadliest combat. It was the thirst for the dignity which motivated those people to believe the one man. There were many one man's in the history of each and every nation or community. Ordinary people wait for the one man to come.

Restoring ever lasting peace and prosperity is something great, and something needed for every country to keep itself strong to provide better life and opportunity to its citizens. How to do it? Simple.

Learn to respect each other’s national pride and dignity. Be generous in addressing each others concerns. When we fail to do it, and when we ignore others pride and dignity in order to establish other one's superiority, we lead to conflicts. Hence, it’s each and every citizen's and every nation's duty to understand it. If you feel inconvenient to read and understand this, then I should say that this is the "truth", even if it is inconvenient.