The Indestructible Power of the People

"The people,
O, the people,
How great and noble
The indestructible mountain ranges
Of capable people!

Therein lies
The power to overturn
The unscrupulous,
The power to laugh dismissively
At the arrogant.

The united hearts of the people
Are like the sun.
Nothing is stronger
Than the people.
The people are a great wave -
No, a raging breaker.

The world is too small
For the colossus
Of the people arisen.
The ultimate power of destiny
That will determine the future
Of this century called Humanity
Lies in the people.

- Excerpts from the poem
'The Indestructible Power of the People'
By
Dr. Daisaku Ikeda

Introduction

Delhi, a city with a glorious and tumultuous past, replete with power struggle, internal strife, stories of vicious conspiracy, love, lust and intrigues – between families, dynasties and cultures. The eternally flowing river Yamuna has been a silent witness to a lot of bloodshed of its 5000 year old history which began with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas.

It has been said that whoever forms a new city at Delhi will inevitably lose it. This has come true with every acquisition till the most recent occupation by the British. And yet Delhi has been looted, plundered, acquired and raped time and again. Greed, anger, foolishness and arrogance have taken over the hearts of many, to create havoc in the city, over and over again, across centuries.

History speaks of Nadir Shah, who had ordered his soldiers to plunder and massacre Delhi. It is said that he got so much wealth from Delhi that he was not able to carry it home. Abdali and Taimur Lane were no different. They had tried their best to demolish the city. And yet – Delhi always rose up from its ashes, like the proverbial phoenix and stood up with its head held high in its full glory every single time.

No one could ever own Delhi forever;  the power always remained with the masses, the common ordinary people. The heart of Delhi remains in the indefatigable energy of its common people, in it’s undefeated attitude.