The country needs a population control law and should keep on developing, said Swami Chidananda Puri of Kolathoor Adwaithashram at Kodungalloor, Thrissur district, on March 1. Some consider drug addicts and those who hide in forests as their role models. Even though we have set an agenda to become a developed country (with a $5 trillion economy) by 2027, we should keep on developing. Otherwise, we will fall asleep and turn lazy. That is the lesson we learn in life.
Swami ji was addressing a gathering at Vivekananda Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungalloor, in connection with the Navathi Celebrations (90th birthday) of Dr M. Lakshmikumari, the chief of the Foundation and former president of the Vivekananda Kendra founded by Swarg. Eknath ji Ranade in Kanyakumari.
Swami ji said that if a birth control law is not implemented, development will be difficult. People should have role models for ideologies. Only then will it become part of one’s life. Now, our primary duty is to create role models. One has to consider it as his or her duty before venturing into a field or sector; unfortunately, what we have are fake models moving on fake legs. If those legs are lost, all is lost.
During the last five decades, Kerala’s youth were inspired by the pictures and teachings of a person (Che Guevara) who was a drug addict and hid in forests. Still, his pictures are seen hanging on electric posts.
Our duty is to project the right role models before our youth. We have to make them aware of Eknath Ranade ji; then, obviously, we have to teach them about the RSS. Then we will have to teach them about our ancient Guru Parampara. The meaning of ‘Guru’ is not confined to a Sanyasi alone. They are the embodiments of the nation’s protection. We should be able to convey this to the youth.
When history is being distorted, we should be able to look back. We should teach them about the luminaries who led the world from darkness to light.
Swami ji said he had explained the aforementioned details at Cherthala, Alappuzha district, during a six-day lecture series. He said he had told the audience about the great personalities who liberated us from misconduct and superstitions and led us to Advaita thought. Then he had to talk about those who divided people on caste lines and those who defeated their endeavours.
He spoke about Veda Guru Sadananda Swami ji who converted Kali into Ayyankali (the great social reformer who came up from Hindu Dalits). Swami ji also spoke about the close relationship that Sree Narayana Gurudev and Chattambi Swami ji maintained and about their Guru Thaikkattu Swami ji. He also mentioned Mannath Padmanabhan, who removed the caste name from his own name. (Mannam was the founder of the Nair Service Society, the community organisation of Hindu Nairs.)
These days, wherever we go, huge hoardings are seen which read: ‘Keralam, a state where there has been no power cut during the last 10 years.’ Actually, it should have been ‘Bharat sans power cut’ because power scarcity was overcome due to the Union government’s intervention in joining power grids. Until 10 years ago, only two grids were joined. Now, the Union government has joined four power grids together. Electricity has thus reached the entire country. Now, we are a power-surplus country. This is the way we have to present the matter. That is our duty. Emotional reactions will not help. What we need is the propagation of thoughts and facts.
Swami ji stated that our agonies are mounting. It may continue in Kerala for another five to ten years. He had stated several decades ago that there is no need for a nuclear bomb because a population bomb is enough. Our Union government is strong and enjoys a clear vision. Let us hope that it will take proper action at the proper time.
Swami ji recalled the country’s resolution to become a developed nation by 2047. He said he wished that the country should keep on developing rather than being branded as developed, which may give a sense of euphoria that could turn some people to be lazy. Therefore, we should keep on developing in all domains, including spiritual and material aspects.
Now we see the situation in developed countries. The US is supposed to be a developed country. Students of that country studying in their universities constitute about 50 per cent; the remaining students are from abroad. Those universities have strength only because of admissions from foreign countries, including Bharat. American students hardly continue their studies after Plus 2. They go for low-salaried jobs. Several drug-addicted youths spend time on the streets of New York and San Francisco. The situation in the UK is not much different. It is also said to be a developed country.
Swami ji’s speech was not only spiritual; he enlightened the audience with a powerful and bold probe into social realities and opportunities ahead for the countrymen.
