Many discussions, talks, lectures and publications on the Ekatma Manav Darshan – EMD propagated by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya are held regularly. Generally, the philosophy and principles of EMD are discussed in these programmes prominently. More serious people have also drafted some guiding policies after a well thought out discussion on how to formulate policies based on EMD. For example, economic policy, education policy, politics etc. based on EMD. It can be used on more practical levels even beyond all this. In fact, this is the primary objective of EMD. Practical use of EMD is possible at all levels from one’s family, business, institute, school-college, factories, banks etc. to the government. Some points are listed below:
Integrated Approach Through Empathy
Every collective unit, whether it is a family or working teams such as teachers of a school, work as an integrated unit. This organic integration is possible only through empathy. In the philosophy of integrated humanism, everyone is our own, there is no ‘other’. By creating an atmosphere of empathy, the team spirit is manifested at the workplace as well.
Noble Mission Statement
Only when every work is based on a noble idea, everyone gets the inspiration to move towards that ideal. Raghukul Reeti Sadaa Chali Aayi. Praan jaayi par vachan na jaayi. This became the motto of the family, hence behaviour was governed by it. Be it a business institution, an educational institution or the government, everyone has to clearly define their mission on the basis of noble ideas. Generally, the objective of business is considered to earn profit but in reality, if the goods or services being traded are not of the best quality, then that business cannot be permanently profitable. Therefore, the noble mission of a business institution can be ‘highest quality and transparency’. This generalisation is an example. In reality, everyone should clearly state their noble mission according to their specific nature. Under the currently prevalent Japanese management model Total Quality Management (TQM), all the institutions have to clearly display their Vision and Mission statement at a place where everyone can read it. Whatever the business, the mission statement is always lofty. Even in a liquor factory, the mission cannot be ‘to make the entire society addict’. Therefore, mission statements are made using words like ‘efficient work culture’ etc.
Participatory Governance
Be it a family, an institution or a government, all are expected to be run in a systematic manner. In any collective unit, hierarchy is naturally formed. In such a situation, the development of disciplined administrative systems is also natural. But by ensuring everyone’s participation in the decision-making process, good governance can be created in place of administration. Not only the officers and employees working in the institution or the government, but also the beneficiaries like the customers of a business institution, students of a school and in the case of the government, all the citizens are also provided the opportunity to participate in governance, which creates a sense of belongingness everywhere. For this, a simple opportunity of good two way communication should be made available at every level. In the present era, many types of communication media are available for this purpose.
Antyodaya – Development of All
When the development of the last person is talked about, it does not mean only the development of the deprived. At every level, every person in line needs all-round development. Therefore, Antyodaya means creating an environment and structure that provides proper opportunities for development to everyone. Just as a mother nourishes, protects and scolds all her children according to their needs, the same kind of environment can be created in institutions, society and government. Along with this, all the components, ie brothers in the example of a family, should also provide support, inspiration, guidance in the development of the units wherever necessary.
Continuous Excellence
If any person, group or unit does not try to continuously improve, then stagnation and inertia sets in. The order of life is like attempting to climb up a slippery slide. If you stop, then fall is certain. Therefore, in your organisation and the team, a sense of constantly keeping yourself more qualitative, creative and innovative has to be developed. External evaluation or competitions are not resorted to in quality enhancement based on the philosophy of EMD. The inspiration to continuously improve oneself has to be cultivated from within. To achieve this, presenting new and higher challenges at every level is the EMD way.
All Round Progress
Ekatma Manav Darshan does not see man only in physical form but considers all the four dimensions of body, mind, intellect and soul. Ekatma Manav Darshan talks about the manifestation of all these not only at the level of an individual but also in every collective unit. To put this into practice, while deciding the parameters of progress, instead of evaluating it only on the physical basis, the emotional environment, willpower to face challenges and the spiritual empathy should also be evaluated. If we start emphasising on all round development while evaluating the performance of any department in an organisation or government, then all things will get evolved automatically.
Sense of Contribution
The relation between Vyashti (individual) and Samashti (Collective) is one of the major principles of EMD. Vyashti means small unit and Samashti means big unit, for example, family is Samashti and individual is Vyashti. At the next expanded level society is Samashti and family is Vyashti. Similarly, in any organisation, the complete organisation is the Samashti and various departments working in it are Vyashti. The small units such as sections in those departments are also Vyashti of that department. It is very important to have proper relationship between small unit and big unit at every level for achieving the goal of the organisation and ultimately the nation. From individual to government, everyone should march towards one goal. For this, it is necessary to have a sense of contribution at every level in every unit. Just as a person progresses by contributing to his family, similarly, in an organisation, every worker contributes to his team, then these teams contribute to its department, various departments contribute to the entire organisation, and the nation contributes to the progress of the entire humanity, that is, the family of nations. In this way, if the feeling of contribution of each individual to the next group is awakened, then the integrated and holistic development of the entire society is automatically possible. This is the ideal of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah.
Promoting Originality
The concept of Chiti is an important speciality of EMD. Every person and unit have its ow
n unique being called Chiti. That unit works best in accordance with Chiti. Chiti manifests itself in a natural unit. In man-made artificial units, ie community, government departments, any business or educational institution, Chiti has to be carefully realised. Every individual contributes to the society in accordance with its unique Chiti. Therefore, integrated development is possible by working while creating complementary specialities and encouraging them. For this, everyone has to be given an opportunity to work in an original way. Imitating the precedents reduce the chances of error. Therefore, innovation and creativity are often discouraged in the administration. If a letter has to be written, instruction of ‘draft based on the old one’ is given. Mechanical approach creeps in when originality ends. Therefore, it is necessary to develop processes with originality for the development of Chiti. For example, Indian Coffee House is also a restaurant like any other, where food and snacks are available. But, they have developed a system based on their original speciality. If you go to ICH anywhere in the country, you will clearly see that originality and speciality. Similarly, we see the expression of an original speciality in Saraswati Vidya Mandirs. Despite this, in any particular Vidya Mandir, the manifestation of Chiti of the Principal and other teachers is also seen separately. Therefore, despite the Chiti of Saraswati Vidya Mandirs as a whole, the Principals and teachers under it get freedom and encouragement to do original work according to their Chiti.
Comprehensive National Power
Nation is naturally the largest Vyashti. If we look at humanity as a family of nations, then each nation is a Vyashti of this universe, the nation-family. Every nation contributes to this world family according to its own nature. That is the active power of that nation. In the inspiration source of EMD, namely Daishik Shastra, it is called ‘Virat’. All the units of the nation, the central government, the state government, its various departments, even private institutions, colleges, universities, business institutions, industries, various associations of sports sector, artists working in the field of art, various production institutions, production houses, all together create the huge soft active power of the nation. In modern language, it is called Comprehensive National Power (CNP). Both soft power and hard power contribute to it. Art, culture, traditions, all these are a part of soft power. Military power, industry, economic strength, all these come under physical hard power. Every institution contributes and nourishes this Virat (Meta) according to its own capacity, uniqueness, role and function. Just as different organs of the body are part of the body’s strength, similarly every activity going on in a nation ultimately becomes the cause of that nation’s strength or weakness. If every unit is aware of this, then every person and institution can achieve complete development while contributing to the fulfillment of the national goal in national interest.
Ekatma Manav Darshan is an economic and political model based on Sanatan Hindu sanskriti. Since Deendayal ji’s responsibility was in the political field, this profound thought has been expressed in this form. It can be applied in every sphere of life. It is expected that these new principles of life management for system transformation should become a means of direct contribution in the reconstruction of the nation. Every organisation, institution, family, ie every collective unit can study it and create ground level structures so that Hindutva is practiced at every level.
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