Emotional Intelligence: A Requisite For Peace And Harmony.

By Rosmin Anna Jain

First of all what is emotional intelligence?

Imagine a heated debate between two individuals. One should have the emotional capability to understand when the debate may go out of hand, right? In layman’s terms, that’s emotional intelligence often referred to as EQ. If both people lack emotional intelligence, the conversation can become aggressive. But with a high level of EQ, they can relate to each other's feelings, and find ways to resolve their differences peacefully. That isn’t all to EQ, but it’s the gist of it

While IQ measures cognitive abilities, EQ forms the bedrock for connections, conflict resolution, and unity in our diverse world.

What could be the pivotal emotions that play a role in EQ? There is no better place to look than our very own Indian constitution where Fraternity, , Secularism, Unity and many more stand as pivotal ones.

Then there is Empathy and forgiveness which fosters understanding, kindness, and tolerance, thus bridging gaps, reducing misunderstandings and eliminating hostility among different communities.

Now, let's address the question of how emotional intelligence brings about peace in different spheres of this world.

In the Political sphere, Leaders with high EQ can identify potential flashpoints and implement strategies to mitigate tensions by understanding the roots of conflicts. In India, political parties exploit caste and religious emotions for their electoral gains instead focusing on public welfare and development. However, examples like Assam and Mizoram accords and even the decision to continue English as an official language depicts the role of EQ in Indian society and politics.

Coming to the social sphere, EQ’s role becomes much more practical as it leads to self-awareness and conflict prevention, as in the case of Adhila Nasarin vs Commissioner in Kerala, which involved LGBTQ rights, resulted in a positive court decision allowing Muslim lesbian couples to cohabitate. The judges' display of EQ was able to bring a peaceful solution.

Now think about how many socio-cultural riots could have been stopped with the help of EQ, like the riots after Indra Gandhi’s assassination? Only if the rioters had shown some EQ, could thousands of casualties be avoided.

Speaking of Culture, EQ plays a crucial role than what you think in promoting cultural sensitivity, appreciation and respect for diverse viewpoints, leading to a more inclusive and harmonious society.

The on-going Manipur issue is a good example here .the insurgency between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur could have been avoided with the help of EQ. The present tension in Syro-Malabar Church can be resolved with the same.

In the Ayodhya case, due to the EQ of the Judges, a favorable verdict was passed for both communities which stopped the situation from getting worse.

In our economy, EQ helps negotiators and policymakers comprehend the emotions driving the economic conflicts and find a compromise. The best example has to be the COVID-19 Pandemic, where even in the direst of situations, countries led by emotionally intelligent leaders exhibited rapid recoveries.

As I’m writing about the economy, let’s remember that the biggest stakeholders of a country is its educated population, And yes, EQ plays a vital role in education by helping students understand the impact of their behaviour on others, reducing bullying and promoting respectful peer treatment.

The recent news of suspension of six students for insulting a visually challenged teacher shows the lack of EQ of the students.

In conclusion, emotional intelligence is not merely a personal trait; it's a critical tool for creating a world of peace and harmony. By cultivating our EQ we can bring peace to society. Let us strive to be an individual who nurtures EQ for the development of our society..

By Rosmin Anna Jain