If I were to educate people of my country about the biggest problem that we are facing, then I would select a problem that is applicable in every part of India and also has most severe impact on our being. So then, what are some of the big problems India's facing today? Is it political? Is economy the problem? Is it governance? Is it ethics? Is it lack of innovation, enterprise and courage? Is it child labour? Is it the status of women? Is it internal strife, conflicts, regional narrow focus, poor health, our historic background, our outmoded laws and ways of thinking? Is it our education system and general mind-set? Is it our legal system? Is it corruption? Or is it external threat of our neighbors? Is the global economy and way of operating something we have not been able to adapt to? Are external governments influencing how we run our country? Is the problem internal? Is it political system? Is it cultural imperialism? Or is it capitalistic corporate system preying on society’s weakness to generating huge profits and is becoming impossible to eradicate? Aren't you feeling sad reading all of this? Well I was disheartened while writing. Next question would be, how can India overcome some of these problems? What is the Biggest Problem of India? Is hairsplitting shortsightedness of politics of electoral terms, giving people of India myopia? Or is everything a problem in India? Or is it us? Are we the people, the problem? Sometimes, I strongly feel that may be… In our pursuit of money we see everyone adapting short-sighted policies. Small businesses, owners of large companies and politicians; all are involved in furthering self interest at the cost of greater good and the progress of our country, our world. If this state of affairs has come about, then people too are partly responsible. Our apathy contributes and encourages this malaise. The result is that the few get richer and the mass slips deeper into poverty as prices of virtually all commodities escalate and put even the basic necessities like housing, food and education beyond their reach. How can India overcome some of these problems? Who is responsible for all this? Is it not political fundamentalism that they will not say ‘I'm wrong'? If I ask questions, raise grave doubts or point an accusing finger - I will be labeled unpatriotic! No one will join and protest; on the contrary, they will shush me and ask me not to make an issue and that this is a way of life in India. “Chalta hai”, as they say! If we Indians are so proud to claim of our rich and old heritage of social values, ethics, spiritual legacy then why do we not uphold any of them; individually or collectively? When national property, heritage, natural resources are being looted... and 1000 million partners just watch... there must be something terribly wrong.. Country leadership is telling people – slaves, soldiers and citizens do not ask questions from the leadership. Is India a country or an industry? Yes, may be… we are our biggest problem! In whichever direction you look, we seem to be our biggest enemies! We preach peace, forgiveness, tolerance and love. We practice vengeance, persecution, hatred and domination. “My belief, my selfishness, my religion is truth, yours is a lie...”. It is not the things about social system, politics and economy of our country that I do not understand or bother me, it is the part of these things which I understand that trouble me… Does being religious means letting things go wrong and live in a false life? Are we a less thinking and more believing society? Where is the religious India which rewards good and punishes evil? Are we secular; Are we religious only because we want so many holidays? Have we made our society, all pain, no gain? Why? We worship the Sun but when one examines the law of heat, or wants to make use of solar energy, we have a... problem. We worship the trees but when one cuts the forests mercilessly, we have no problem. We worship the women as Shakti (Power), but when one beats a woman at home, we don't want to interfere. Freedom from fear, injustice and implementation of law are absolute to mental health and happiness of citizen. Just like Wikileaks political revelation, Satyamev Jayate’s social revelation was a good eye opener for society. If we are in age of transparency then it should be for everyone and not for assassinating social structures or family units. Does peacefulness means not wanting to know what is true? Is our silence because of tolerance or because of intellectual bankruptcy? Some people in India may have become richer but none of us have become healthy or happy. “Theory of Karma”, Does it mean that I can do bad things all day long and assume that you deserve it? Are we not suffering from sickness of soul? Values of Truth, Love, Compassion which made this civilization, Philosophy of Secularism which was a treasure is now dismissed, there have been significant deterioration in our homes, our families. Pressure of family responsibilities may have silenced the common man but he is not dead yet. Common man is beginning to realize that ... Never before have so many children grown up in broken homes. Never before were there so many marital problems. Never before our prisons became so full of educated and/or elected leaders. Never before you were mocked as being backward and not in sync. Never before Indian democracy was sleeping. Never before materialism embraced over family relationships... Again, who is responsible? Every one is responsible. Conversely, each of us has the power to rise, feel, sense, think and voice as one to bring about a quiet but dramatic change in the ensuing decades. We can reaffirm our culture, traditions and our strengths, jointly. Time to put aside moral cowardice, personal prejudices and self interests. Time to cherish our past, find strengths in it and redefine it in a modern context. Time to fill up the spiritual vacuum and enshrine true spirit of God within, that will fuel us and empower us to rise as one. Time to rebuild! India needs a new focus; and... Key issue today is not corruption; neither it is education, politics, the economy, the media, or the environment. The issue today is the spiritual and moral condition of individual families. We the people must defend the foundation on which our country stands; for which a strong protection to our collective secular, peaceful and religious approach is required. India needs a reformation that must begin and can only begin with family. Nations are never changed until people are changed. The true hope for genuine change is God. Through God, we can rebuild our society and restore our families. |
Are you proud of the state of your family? It's time for this generation to make a stand for the family. I would like to challenge you to consider two things: ONE: What kind of legacy do we want to pass to our children – of a family that was concerned only with material progress and money or a family or parents who modeled their life with their secular faith on God and religion? God particle is found, but where are His signs? His celebration in our life, our family? Is having a place for worship at home enough? Two hands working do more than thousand clapping in prayer. It's time that we as family draw a line rebuild our family, our relationship with your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews. TWO: Spiritualism offers us a holistic view in interpreting life's complicated issues. Spiritualism can halt degenerative trends in all these areas and be our remedial response to today's overwhelming technology and economic intoxication. Values of Renunciation, Forgiveness, Compassion and Non-Violence are the very foundation of our culture. For God to work in our heart and give all of us courage and strength, leave a lasting and blessed legacy at our home and nation is my prayer today. What do you think? Write to me at:
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