‘Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.’– A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam said the above statement in a speech at the European Union emphasising on the continuity of ethics and righteousness that germinates in the family and reflects across the universe like ripples in an ocean. 

● Righteousness in the heart enables individuals to pursue an ethical course of action. It is key to consistent ethical choices which builds integrity and ultimately a beautiful character. 

● People with character nourish their personal relationships with acceptance, respect, understanding and appreciation. It ensures harmony in the home which keeps the people rooted and content despite the adversities of life. 

● Harmonious families build harmonious societies where the cleavages of caste, gender, religion and class become non-existent. According to Dr. Ambedkar, without such social democracy, political democracy will remain the top soil and a half-realised dream. 

● The prosperity and well-being of the nation is ensured and pursued by individuals who have imbibed human values and ethical principles from their families. 

● A nation thus built will choose the path of peace and development in the spirit of the Panchsheel principles when engaging with nations, bilaterally and multilaterally. Methods of war, aggression and violence will not be pursued. 

Therefore, the pathway to global peace and development traverses through individuals who consistently pursue righteousness and morality in their thoughts and actions.