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JANUARY 2010
Special

DO YOU HAVE A
SOCIAL CONSCIENCE?


Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates and wife Melinda set up
The Gates Foundation, the largest transparently operated
private foundation in the world to enhance healthcare and
reduce extreme poverty globally.

Varghese Alengaden
...................................................

Many young people, fascinated by the economic growth of India, see India, as a 'world leader' and the next 'superpower'! They are made to believe such dream on the basis of the commendable rise in gross domestic product (GDP). Many feel proud about the Forbes magazine list of the world's billionaires which includes twenty-seven Indians, of whom only four live abroad. The four richest Indians are collectively worth a staggering $180 billion, greater than the GDP of a majority of member states of the United Nations! Lakshmi Mittal, the two Ambani brothers and DLF chief K.P. Singh, are together worth more than the 40 richest Chinese combined. Besides, engineers, doctors and scientists from India are held in great esteem in the USA and many countries in Europe. However, the all important question is how many of these billionaires are sensitive to the millions who live below poverty line in their country? Do they learn lessons from the American Billionaire, Bill Gates who donated half of his wealth to a charity foundation?

We have reason to be proud of our country and its uniqueness in many fields. India is the largest democracy in the world. India has the fourth largest army in the world. India has been successful in developing science and technology and she has trained a large number of excellent scientists and engineers. India is also a land in which all the major world religions are alive and active.

When Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters sacrificed their lives with a dream of Swaraj, they were not dreaming of mere political freedom. It was a dream for a holistic life. Those who made the Constitution of our country expressed the aspirations of those great leaders when they pledged to build a nation with liberty, equality, fraternity and justice. Yet, after six decades of Independence how much have we realized swaraj? Politicians speak of 'India Shining'. Whose India is shining? Yes, 20 per cent of India is shining with express highways, information technology, supermarkets, international schools and hospitals with super specialties, in big cities. What kind of India does the vast majority of the population experience?

The paradox is that the land of saints and sages is threatened by terrorism, fundamentalism and conflicts in the name of caste, region and language. While a small number of Indians enter the list of Forbes magazine as the world's top billionaires, more than 300 million Indians go to bed without food. They live below the poverty line, not able to earn Rs 360 per month; 600 million Indians still have no access to electricity. 40 per cent of India's population is still illiterate.


Severn Suzuki, an environmental activist at the age of 12 addressed the
Plenary Session at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio Centro, Brazil.
India is young: 540 million of the population is under 25 years. 70 per cent of India's population is below 35 years of age. If this large number of young people are helped to formulate their vision of life, with a deep experience of Indian realities, they can bring a revolution to this country. This precious wealth of a youth force in the country is either under-utilized or misused. Though a number of young people find opportunities for development both in India and abroad, a vast majority of the educated young people are disillusioned. Corruption, unemployment and hypocrisy demoralize them. Corrupt politicians, religious fundamentalists and militant groups exploit youth power for their vested interests.

Naxalites control 165 of India's 602 districts. Young people below 25 years are their fighting force. Similarly, politicians and religious fundamentalists also misuse young people to carry out their destructive agenda.


Organisations like the Fairtrade Foundation exist to improve
the position of poor and marginalised producers in the
developing world, by encouraging industry and consumers in
the United Kingdom to support fairer trade.
When we speak of India becoming 'the world leader' and 'superpower' it is important to analyze the grass root realities, especially in remote villages. It is important to assess the spiritual stamina of our young people to face challenges and failures. No nation can develop without developing its spirituality - a spirituality of values and not religiosity of rituals.

The paradoxes, the gap which divides India into the poor and the rich, should end. Development should be integral; bringing facilities of water, electricity, education and medical facilities to the rural villages. Fanaticism of all kind - religious, regional, linguistic - should be eliminated with out delay. The youth are the ones who can bring revolution and transformation in the country.

It is high time for all who care for humanity, to promote spirituality of values among the people, especially the younger generation. Teachers, social activists and religious leaders need to adopt a new paradigm: a paradigm which replaces indifference with sensitivity and altruism! It is a paradigm which unites people of all faiths on the basis of universal spiritual values! It is a paradigm by which persons give equal importance to develop both, their competence and character! It is a paradigm promoting universal solidarity and peace!

Youth is the most powerful force which can realize this new paradigm shift in the mindset of the nation. The youth with their commitment to 'be the change they want to see in the world' have the potential to realize the 'India 2020' dream of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam. An enlightened and visionary youth is the ultimate answer to a socially awakened India.

VARGHESE ALENGADEN
is the Founder and National Co-ordinator of Universal Solidarity Movement
of Value Education for Peace, Indore

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