Editorial

A recent edition of a leading Indian weekly posed the question “Who do you see as your role model?” to respondents across the country. It was very heartening to see Dr. Abdul Kalam being ranked first.
In the current national landscape rocked by scams, shams and brazen acts by persons of questionable integrity in the highest offices of the country, the India Today response was a silver lining. Day after day, without any respite, as we begin and end the day with newspapers and news channels, one gets an overdose of the manifestation of the collective unconscious manifesting as extreme greed, bitter conflicts in homes, families, communities, corporations, Nations and the world at large. I am sure these incidents and stories stir the conscience of the nation and goad almost every common citizen to want a complete change or transformation. Again, as we zoom in from the macro to the micro, we realize that the root of these conflicts and afflictions lies in the unconscious, egoic minds of the individual, which are then devoid of space for love, life and oneness. Our schooling, as it is obtained today is almost devoid of any care and attention to nurturing this core of the being, which ought to be the bed rock on which all else can grow.
Given this, we are familiar with the sense of hopelessness and possibly resignation to the malaise afflicting the world from conflict and poverty to corruption and climate change. Yet, amid this helpless feeling of ‘But, what can I do’, one often senses this faint yet significant flicker of highest aspiration deep inside, which is jostling and struggling to emerge. This, perhaps, craves to dispel the darkness and fill our beings with light, clarity and purpose.
Some time ago, while travelling alone in a foreign land, I vividly recall being momentarily gripped by a feeling of helplessness, despondency and even fear. A new place, unknown language and the overwhelming culture induced this feeling, I guess. Almost guided by instinct, thoughtlessly, I opened my handbag and pulled out a small book of Swami Vivekananda, which I usually carry. As I barely read a page, it had a literally levitating effect, infusing complete hope, joy, confidence and faith. ‘What a magical power of live-wire words!’ I felt. My rational, western educated intellect and little mind tried to rebel. “How can you be so irrational?” it questioned uncomfortably. The deeper witness gently watched this cloudy thought pass away.
The word ‘role model’ has limitations, I agree. Each one of us is a unique being with infinite possibilities. To stifle or suffocate our selves and hammer our beings into this or that is certainly not what is recommended.
As the Mother says, “To force the nature to abandon its own DHARMA is to do it permanent harm, mutilate its growth and deface its perfection. It is a selfish tyranny over a human soul and a wound to the nation, which loses the benefit of the best that a man could have given it and is forced to accept instead something imperfect and artificial, second rate, perfunctory and common. Every one has in him something divine, something his own, a chance of perfection and strength in however small a sphere which God offers him to take or refuse. The task is to find it, develop it and use it.”
Given this, often stories from the lives and works of great human beings serve to help us find the purpose of our life. While role models are not meant to stifle our originality and curb our full development, they can still serve as Beacon lights, which can inspire and draw out the best from each one of us. Even for a great giant like Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna was a beacon of light. That little, priceless book of Swami Vivekananda was priced at Rs 4. Yet, it was so valuable and each word so powerful that it could stir one up and dispel doubts and darkness to reveal peace, purpose and joy.
Wouldn’t this be a great gift that one can give to every one, especially young students and teachers? As we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, today, can we resolve to make available books, CDs, e-banners and e-posters on Vivekananda’s life for every one to dip into? The Gujarat Commission of Educational Innovations is indeed planning to do that over the coming weeks and months. Incidentally, we today mark the first birthday of our blog which was silently launched last year on this day and I would like to thank all of you who have been supporting the cause of Children’s University in a variety of ways. Thank you for all your support and love.
The Indian Institute of Teacher Education is also putting together a program of integral education for student teachers, who will be leaders of thought, word and action; who can produce world class citizens of sound intellect with a human and humane persona.
For the youth of the 21st century world, Swami Vivekananda is indeed an icon. He is an icon who symbolizes confidence, concentration, focus, consciousness, compassion, selfless work, courage, eloquence, intellect, modernity, scientific temper and charisma. He strode the world and straddled across cultures and geographies with ease and gave the most relevant, precious gift and legacy for posterity.
The dormant treasure of consciousness in the flesh, blood and cells of each citizen on planet earth will respond with certitude to the clarion call of Swami Vivekananda. Let us invoke him on his 150th birthday with silence and feel his powerful presence in us and around us.

Smt. Jayanti S. Ravi