What makes a good neighbor?

Watching a row of working ants is a delight. Every individual ant, helping its neighbouring one, finish a task collectively. In a short time, they finish their job to start a new venture. Mutual trust, respect and cooperation among each other are the keys to successfully completing their task. The social structure of ants is commendable; not only ants but most insects and bees have complex and organized social structures with distinct divisions of labour to perform their jobs. The unique collaboration among individuals for a cause progressively increased to reach the pinnacle in humans.

Humans and Society

(A) Society

Humans are at the top of social building. From individual to family and extended family, neighbourhood, local area, provinces to country and finally to the whole world. Humans are interconnected and interdependent. They, meticulously and carefully, have constituted society to organise to work together and achieve a wider, inclusive and all-embracing goal. The finely intertwined social structure allows each section and individual to develop and prosper together, helping and seeking help. It has evolved after a long conscientious collective human effort to serve humanity better.

(B) Child and Society

A child is born alone but his personality is shaped by many factors that hammer and chisel him to trim a fine human being. The factors are the forces of society and its norms. A child being a member of a small social group, the unit of society, starts interacting with its members. Starting from his parents the baby’s interaction grows with individuals of family to neighbours, friends and further. Neighbours come next to family in certain matters, as they live nearby.

A Neighbour

(A) Who Is a Neighbour

A neighbour resides next to an individual or within a radius of about fifty meters in a locality which is a conglomerate of several families. It is, hence, neighbours are close to each other. They come in handy in precarious situations, partake in celebrations and become part of social functions.

(B) Family and Neighbour

Unlike the filial bonds, the neighbourhood bond is not so strong, but it is crucial. It is like a family outside the family that doesn’t trespass on the privacy of each other, live and amicably sort their problems of common interests, respecting privacy each other’s privacy.

(C) Neighbours are Helpful

In a scenario, when the strong family system is waning and the concept of the “nuclear family” has intruded, neighbours help the aged persons who live alone.  They develop a bond which helps in the conditions of duress, gives company to those who need it and buttresses confidence besides lending support when needed. Neighbours are important and a good neighbour is more important. It helps to live peacefully and respect each other. It applies to all, including society at the local or the international level. 

International Scenario

You can change friends but not neighbours.

-Atal Bihari Vajpayee

In international affairs, the neighbourhood becomes all the more important for peace and prosperity. In a connected world, no nation can live and flourish individually. Peace is the prime necessity for the development of a country, and it can be achieved only when both countries respect each other’s sovereignty and interest; sorting out differences through dialogue and talks. A strained relationship with neighbours causes an extra burden on the economy, growth and development besides being the easy prey to the selfish elements. A dialogue can’t be fruitful unilaterally which becomes monologue. A deliberate quarrelsome atmosphere, infiltration and imposed terrorism hampers the amicable solution that results in animosity, suspicion and regression. Expecting a dialogue and compassion is impossible in a troubled situation, especially when the neighbour seems disinterested in maintaining peace and does not mend ways. Instigating and promoting antisocial activities to create hegemony can result in no good.

Friend V/S Neighbour

A friend is an asset, selected by an individual through a long process of understanding, observing and mutual interest. A genuine friend stands for the betterment, goodwill and welfare of each other. Here one’s choice is of paramount importance. Once friends, both are morally bound to support each other giving a helping hand when in trouble. Neighbours, on the contrary, can’t be chosen. They are ordained to stay with a family next to them and can’t be changed easily. It would be wise to have a cordial relationship for mutual peace and sustenance. Unlike an irascible and cantankerous neighbour who perpetually creates problems and disturbs the peace, not only for the neighbour but for the whole community, a good and understanding one provides solace and a congenial atmosphere. This applies to all, whether a country or an individual in society.

Indian Context

It holds true in the Indian context as well. India, a country of composite culture, mixed ethnicity and varied language has emerged fast as a strong economy and robust systemic structure. For swift and proper growth, the nation needs a peaceful atmosphere. India has adopted the “Neighbourhood First Policy” for peace, prosperity and stability. There are countries in the region that are problem-creating and parallelly want dialogues. Cross-border terrorism and the disturbances at borders are impediments to the developmental pathway. Without a check on infiltration and cross-border terrorism dialogues are impossible as both can’t go parallel.

At Last

A good, understanding, and cordial neighbourhood is essential for mutual growth and amicable living. It catalyses the process of peaceful coexistence and prosperous growth. For proper development, countries too should adopt all-inclusive and all-embracing policies to achieve a common goal of happiness and goodwill for their people.

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