REPORT OF UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD DAY 2009
Today roughly 30 million young Indians are living outside India and are among the world's richest talent force. In coming 10 years they are projected to grow to 80 million. They will naturally make a huge difference to world thinking. It is natural that India will slowly acquire the leadership of the world due to its talent force.
The world need not though worry about India acquiring the leadership role because unlike others who have resorted to violence, war and oppression to proclaim their leadership we will conquer by our message of peace, love and harmony. Non-violence and compassion are our mantra.
500 years ago India's GDP was 50% of world GDP. Even though we possessed the best military talent of the world we did not invade any country by choice.
Vishwa Dharma Prasaar Yatra that touched 40 countries and 1 million people was aimed at taking the peace message of the great acharyas of Bharat to the whole world in the form of a global pilgrimage.
We are fortunate that we are born in India. We are more fortunate that we live close to year 2011 when India will attain glory by becoming global leader. We are most fortunate that the world is beginning to understand the message of 'vasudhaiva kutumbakam' i.e. living as one family."
His speech was a perfect blend of optimism, information and hope.
The inspiring, interesting and informative Keynote Address was followed by a thrilling and entertaining Q/A session which was ably moderated by Dr. Satish Modh. Excerpts from the Q/A session:
On the frustration seen in youngsters of today -
"This should be our challenge but we need to find answers to this and guide our youngsters. We have to train them not only for India but for the world. We have to accept change with a welcome smile and mind. India is destined to send more and more youngsters outside. It is going to be hard but we can't help it. We can't take cover behind the old theory of 'brain drain'. In fact it will be 'brain gain' when these youngsters are trained in the world's best institutes. They will contricute their knowledge back to India surely. Our greatest asset today is our young and talented work force. Leadership demands hardships. They will struggle initially but will succeed eventually as it is in their blood to accept the world as one family. So we should prepare them to assume leadership and ensure that they are not overcome by frustration".
On the effects of Globalisation on India -
"Globalisation is inevitable. It cannot become counter productive to us. We have believed in globalization long before the world has thought about the phenomenon. We are not against any 'ism'. We accept as they are. Our aim in not to make the world 'one market' but 'one family'. In market you have competition and ill-will towards others. In a family you accept everyone as they are. Our concept of globalization is coming together in a peaceful way in a way of brothethood and not one against other. We do not think of taking away but give and share our values and become one".
On the issue of dealing with jihadis -
"We have a culture of accepting a sinner like Angulimal. We have a culture of transforming a criminal to Maharishi Valmiki. We have a culture of seeing everyone as good human beings. We go to the root cause of the problem and explore why some human beings become bad. I2i nations have become victims of politics of world especially dominant five. They have shifted the war out of their countries to the i2i belt. The war against terrorism is one such clever move that has snow-balled the issue to this belt".
On the role of UN -
"It is wrong to still give veto powers to just five. 30 million people have died after UN was formed. They have failed miserably in peace keeping, ensuring non-violence and establishing human rights. The Kashmir problem is their creation. They have failed most miserably when equality of nations is concerned".
On issue of farmer suicides and lack of basic educational facilities in lakhs of villages -
"We have to first take care of problems before reaching to the world. There are 100 million tribals in 100,000 villages across the country that have no access to basic education. I am connected with the Ekal Movement. Ekal Movement has taken up this daunting task and we have reached 27000 villages today. That is just 1/3 of the total villages that we have to reach. It is a huge task but we are sure that we will achieve it soon.
We have to break digital divide by wireless technology. We have the glorious tradition of receiving the first lessons of education from our home but schools should be accessible to millions. It is here that digital education will help us immensely. The barrier of geography would be overcome by technology. The highly effective and time tested guru shishya parampara i.e. 'one to one teaching' can be easily adopted in this digital wireless technology and millions can be reached in the most cost effective way.
Human resources are our greatest asset but if they remain uneducated and unskilled they will also become our biggest liability".
On environment -
"We need to tap solar energy and wind energy and make best use of them. We have to develop technology for recycling every form of waste and create wealth from it. Pollution is bad economics".
In his final remarks Dr. Satish Modh commented that Dr. B. K. Modi was a 'rare and unique combination' of a successful global business leader with thorough spiritual outlook and having great faith in ahimsa - non-violence and karuna - compassion. He complimented Dr. Modi for handling the questions very well and for his clear views on so many diverse topics
Guest of Honour Shri Satish Aggarwal, CMD of Kisan Group of Companies could not make it for the function due to unavoidable circumstances.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Shri Vishal Chavda, Deputy Manager - Dept of Corporate Services BSE and managing committee member of VAK.
The programme was sponsored by M/s Kisan Group of Companies who have been sponsoring the event since 2007
