Discipline does not mean only training of mind and character for self-control, habit of obedience and observance of rules and laws. The aim of discipline has always been accommodation, integration and complete identification with the existing social relationship and not alienation from the organisation called society.
Thousands of years ago, when human society was not organised and when our forefathers were engaged in their fierce struggle for existence against the ruthlessly hostile force, there was no chaos.
As they got familiar with the ways of nature, they were astonished to find order everywhere the sun rising in the east every morning, night following day, the birds singing and the plants blossoming. There was no discordant note anywhere, nothing threatened the
Without any education and training they wandered and learnt. The lessons culminated in the organisation of the society which was later perfected and broadened to include the states. As social beings men had little difficulty in seeing the important role of discipline in the evolving system of things.
They had experiences of disorder and death when they failed to understand the natural forces and agencies. They were then too scared to see the truth. But their experiences made them richer and saner, and they clearly saw the laws of nature and the intricacies of perfect system.
Evolving their own patterns they avoided any more clashes and conflicts with nature and instead considered themselves an integral part of the same order of things.
In their own society, they framed their rules and a code of conduct that regulated the relationship between man and man, man and woman, parents and their children, family and society and above all between an individual and the society.
All this was found necessary to instil a sense of responsibility and a sense of organisation. It was also necessary for taming the animal in man that would grow wild only too often.
When our ancestors felt the need of discipline even in their savage state, it is quite natural that the civilized world, with more intricate pattern of relationship, would make its scope much broader in the ever-widening sphere of interests.
The interests of the rulers and the ruled, the workers and their employers, the developed and underdeveloped nations, for example, are bound to clash. But all of them are made to behave responsibly and to see prudence in abiding by the principles of co-existence and saving the world from breaking into pieces.
Discipline alone can effectively check the mad rush down the precipice and hold at bay the forces that constantly threaten man’s existence on earth. This is why the anxious guardians of our society and states are indefatigable in their efforts to enforce discipline in schools and colleges, in organisations and administration, in the armed forces and in the fields of sports and games.
In international forums like the
In our world today the forces of disintegration and disorder are let loose on an unprecedented scale. Everywhere these forces are busy digging holes with a view to creating conditions for chaos.
The big nations are not only crying for the blood of one another, but they are also conspiring to share the flesh of the smaller nations among themselves.
The players and sportsmen in the field, the students and youth all over the world and even the armed forces are found to be victims of indiscipline and heading for a disaster.
Right now something should be done to stem the rot, for else it should be too late to save the world from the last fatal plunge.
