| As humanity moves inexorably into the 21st Century,
there is widespread awakening and concern about its fate
and its destiny in the light of the happenings of the
past centuries. There are mixed feeling about our immediate
future and also gloomy prognostications. Many outstanding
thinkers and authors have expressed their anxieties, hopes
and aspirations. Pierre Tielhard d'Chardin, Mahatma Gandhi,
Shoghi Effendi, Jonathan Schell, Paul Kennedy, Samuel
Huntington, Alvin Toffler, Vaclav Havel and now we may
add to this list, Major General Vinod Saighal.
‘Third Millennium Equipoise’ is conceivably
the most comprehensive blueprint on global governance
and security to appear on the scene at the close of
the twentieth century. It attempts to take up the thread
where some of the most distinguished reports of our
times – Our Common Future, Our Global Neighbourhood,
the Report of the Canberra Commission – left the
resolution of the problems to future generations after
indicating several tantalizing pathways. In Third Millennium
Equipoise, the author lays out an ambitious agenda for
global harmony that attempts to facilitate a gradual
transition from a culture of war, based on nuclear deterrence,
to a culture of peace that focuses on restoring the
deteriorating ecology of the planet.
A grand synthesis along these lines for ushering in
The Age of Humanism has probably never appeared before
in print. It is a book which, after laying the groundwork
for global harmony, spells out the discrete steps that
can be taken towards this goal. It is an elegant model
which, due to its very simplicity, can be put into effect
almost immediately. The book being free of encumbrances,
cross-references, footnotes and the like makes for smooth
reading. It represents perhaps one of the most cogent
presentations to date for the resolution of the nuclear
impasse.
The work of Gen. Saighal stands out for its methodical
and objective assessment of humanity's immediate past
and for its vision of a new politico-socio order. The
book is a brilliant catalogue of recommendations for
reversing the present-day dangerous trends through re-thinking
of some of the institutions at the world level. Through
incisive analysis of present-day international military
and political structures, he proposes the creation of
certain new international institutions that will carry
forward the unfulfilled goals of the UNO, namely, a
Global Reconstruction Fund, a World Nuclear Council
or an Independent Interim International Panel.
Reviews
In the light of the present global turmoil many distinguished
intellectuals around the world have expressed the view
that the book, 'Third Millennium Equipoise' delineates
several tangible pathways for moving out of the present
impasse and working towards global harmony. Similar
views have been expressed by eminent scientists, scholars
and educationists. The UN
Secretary General, Mr. Kofi A. Annan, who received the
Nobel Peace Prize, along with the UN, was one of the
earliest to endorse Third Millennium Equipoise. It was
reviewed in UN Chronicle 3/98.
A synopsis of some of the views/reviews:
“Touches on issues of priority concern to United
Nations in an enlightened and sophisticated way”
----- Mr. Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General, United Nations
“TME presents a holistic approach to the problems
of Global Governance and Security” ------ Dr. Ronald
S. Mccoy, Vice President, IPPNW and Member, Canberra
Commission
“Outstanding book of discernment”-------
Soka Gakkai International, Japan
“The writer brings out important factors for the
establishment of Global Peace and Tranquility”
------ Achärya Shri Mahäprajña
“I loved, in particular, your epilogue for the
sheer art of its presentation” ------Padmashree
Professor V. Venkatachalam, Chairman, Indian Council
of Philosophical Research
“…….Part 2 is really a blueprint of
desirable and possible changes in the ordering of the
world in a period of 50 years, from 2000 till 2050.
It is amazing how the author has thought this through
in details…...
…….. in conclusion, this is a brilliant book
with a long list of recommendations on governmental
and organizational level to curb the immense dangers
threatening humanity.
……... it is not only interesting, but it
deserves to be taken seriously as a guide, or at least
a starting point, for world reformers.” -------
By Prof. Dr. Pieter P.J.M. Schram for Vredesterts Periodiek,
The Journal of the Executive Peace Committee of the
Eindhoven University of Technology.
“The Book is a brilliant catalogue of recommendations
for reversing the present-day dangerous trends through
re-thinking of some of the institutions at the World
level” ------ A K Merchant in The Pioneer, New
Delhi, 23 October 1999
“Fascinatingly detailed blueprint for a Nuclear-Weapons-Free
World” ----- Reviewed by Horst Rutsch in United
Nations Chronicle No.3, 1998
“…lays out an ambitious agenda for Global
Governance and Security” ------ Khaleej Times,
December 5, 1998
“Immensely thought-provoking Book”-------
Politics India, August 1998
“Draws a road map to a N-Weapons-Free World….
makes peace seem almost achievable” ----- India
Today, October 26, 1998
“Saighal’s opus stands out…owing to
the way in which he has tied up various facets”
------- Economic Times, June 13, 1999
About the Author
Born in West Punjab (undivided India) in 1939, Major
General Vinod Saighal retired from the Indian Army in
1995. Before that he had several active command assignments
including the command of an armoured formation as well
as the command of mountain and desert divisions. An
officer from the Cavalry, he has held assignments with
UN Peacekeeping forces, as well as tenures in the Middle
East. He had served as his country’s Military Attache
in France and BENELUX. He has published articles on
a vast range of subjects in almost all the leading national
dailies of India.
His views stem from a deep understanding of the problems
facing modern civilisation as it enters a new millennium.
With his experience of military logistics, command of
armed divisions and UN peace-keeping operations, there
couldn't have been a more qualified defence authority
to lecture world leaders on serious geopolitical issues
as he has. |
