Address At The 99th Birthdat Celebrations Of Dr. Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, Sri Siddaganga Math, Tumkur, Karnataka
Tumkur, Karnataka : 07-04-2006
The Enlightened Life
I am delighted to be in this divine environment and participate in the 99th birthday celebrations of Dr.Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Sri Siddaganga Math. My pranams and respects to Swamiji and greetings to all the participants in this function. Today is a very important day. I am seeing in our country, a great sage, who has been performing "Tapas? for the last 76 years. Through the intense Tapas, he has freed himself from passion, anger, love and hate. Presence of such great souls in the country, spreads peace and promotes spiritual prosperity. He is a beacon light that attracts and spreads the spiritual message to the people and society. The topic I am going to discuss to the experienced and young audience is "The Enlightened Life".
Swamiji's message
In present time, establishing peace in the world torn by distress and hate is of immediate concern for everyone. Peace has its origin in compassion. For this Swamiji says "If something when done be found harmful to you, desist from doing it, lest it harms others. If you desire for everyone's love around you then give your love to everyone that desires it". Swamiji is a towering source of knowledge that purifies every soul that comes into contact.
Power of Tapas
On this day of celebration of the 99th birthday of Swamiji and his entering the 76th year of monkhood, I would like to give my respects by reciting one kural (couplet) from my favorite Tamil classic composed over 2200 years ago by Thiruvalluvar. The Saint Poet has devoted one full chapter of 10 kurals out of 1330 kurals to Tapas. It says:
It means, with the power of Tapas, if one discards the attachment to ones own life and "I" the "ahankar" in him, then all lives in the universe will bow before him. The message of this couplet truly reflects the characteristics of Sree Sree Sivakumara Swamiji. Our youth indeed will find in Swamiji the inspiration with divine blessing.
Friends, Let me share with you a personal experience. When my father was performing 5 times namaz at the age of 90s, his children and grandchildren in large number we used to wonder, the divine strength he has acquired. Of course my father was with us for more than 103 years. After a long time, today it is a great inspiring experience for me to see a great soul and sage Dr Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji.
Importance of moral science in schools
When I am in the midst of such divine souls and the youth in Tumkur, I am reminded of my experience in St Joseph's College, Trichi. I remember the lectures given by highest authority of the Jesuit institution Rev Father Rector Kalathil of St. Joseph's college. Every Monday, he will take class on moral science for an hour. He used to talk about good human beings, present and past, and what makes a good human being. In this class he used to give lectures on personalities such as Buddha, Confucius, St. Augustine, Califa Omar, Mahatma Gandhi, Einstein, Abraham Lincoln including some scientific personalities and moral stories linked to our civilizational heritage. It is essential in the secondary schools and colleges to arrange a lecture by a great teacher of the institution once in a week for one hour on India's civilizational heritage. This class can be called as a Moral Science Class. That will elevate the young minds to love the country, to love other human beings and elevate the young to higher planes.
First Teacher - My Father
I have a message to my young friends. To begin with I am going to talk to you about my father Janab Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen, as a teacher. My father taught me a great lesson when I was a young boy. What was that lesson? It was just after India got independence. At that time panchayat board elections took place at Rameswaram. My father was elected panchayat board member and on the same day he was also elected the President of Rameswaram Panchayat Board. Rameswaram Island was a beautiful place with 30,000 populations. At that time they elected my father as panchayat Board President not because he belonged to a particular religion or a particular caste or spoke a particular language or for his economic status. He was elected only on the basis of his nobility of mind and for being a good human being. Dear students, I would like to narrate one incident that took place on the day he was elected President of Panchayat board.
I was at that time studying in School. Those days we did not have electricity and we used to study under ration kerosene lamps. I was reading the lessons loudly and I heard a knock at the door. We never used to lock the door in Rameswaram in those days. Somebody opened the door, came in and asked me where my father was? I told him that father had gone for evening Namaz. Then he said, I have brought something for him, can I keep it here? Since my father had gone for Namaz, I shouted for my mother to get her permission to receive the item. Since she was also on the Namaz there was no response. I asked the person to leave the item on the cot that was used for work, namaz and sleeping. After that I continued my studies.
I used to learn by reading aloud in my younger days. I was reading loud and fully concentrating on my studies. At that time my father came in and saw a tambulum kept in the cot. He asked me "what is this? Who has given that?" I told him, "somebody came and has kept this for you". He opened the cover of the tambulum and found there was a costly dhoti, angawastram, some fruits and some sweets and he could see the slip that the person had left behind. I was the youngest child of my father, he really loved me and I also loved him a lot. He was upset at the sight of the Tambulum and gifts left some one. That was the first time I saw him very angry and also that was the first time I had got a thorough beating from him. I got frightened and started weeping. My mother embraced and consoled me. Then my father came and touched my shoulder lovingly with affection and advised me not to receive any gift without his permission. He quoted an Islamic Hadith, which states that, "When the almighty appoints a person to a position, He takes care of his provision. If a person takes anything beyond that, it is an illegal gain." Then he told me that it is not a good habit. Gift is always accompanied by some purpose and a gift is a dangerous thing. It is like touching a snake and getting the poison in turn. This lesson stands out always in my mind even when I am in my seventies. This incident, taught me a very valuable lesson for my life. It is deeply embedded in my mind.
I would like also to mention the writings in Manu Smriti which states that "By Accepting gifts the divine light in the person gets extinguished". Manu warns every individual against accepting gifts for the reason that it places the acceptor under an obligation in favour of the person who gave the gift and ultimately it results in making a person to do things, which are not permitted according to law.
I am sharing this thought, with all of you, particularly the young ones, do not be carried away by any gift which comes with a purpose and through which one loses his personality greatly. Do you think, young friends, you can follow this in your life? I will be very happy if you can practice this sincerely. This trait will lead to good life.
My second teacher: Teacher puts the student ahead
When I think of my second teacher, I am reminded of my childhood days when I was studying in 8th class at the age of 13. I had a teacher, Shri Siva Subramania Iyer. He was one of the very good teachers in our school. All of us loved to attend his class and hear him. One day he was teaching about bird?s flight. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard depicting the wings, tail and the body structure with the head. He explained how the birds create the lift and fly. He also explained to us how they change direction while flying. Nearly for 25 minutes he gave the lecture with various information such as lift, drag, how the birds fly. At the end of the class, he wanted to know whether we understood how the birds fly. I said, I did not understand how the birds fly. When I said this, the teacher asked the other students whether they understood or not. Many students said that they also did not understand. He did not get upset by our response since he was a committed teacher.
Our teacher said that he would take all of us to the sea shore. That evening the whole class was at the sea shore of Rameswaram. We enjoyed the roaring sea waves knocking at the sandy hills in the pleasant evening. Birds were flying with sweet chirping voice. He showed the sea birds in formations of 10 to 20 numbers. We saw the marvelous formations of birds with a purpose and we were all amazed. He showed us the birds and asked us to see that when the birds fly, what they looked like. We saw the wings flapping. He asked us to look at the tail portion with the combination of flapping wings and twisting tail. We noticed closely and found that the birds in that condition flew in the direction they desired. Then he asked us a question, where the engine is and how it is powered. Bird is powered by its own life and the motivation of what it wants. All these things were explained to us within Fifteen minutes. We all understood the whole bird dynamics from this practical example. How nice it was? Our teacher was a great teacher; he could give us a theoretical lesson coupled with a live practical example available in nature. This is real teaching. I am sure many of the teachers in schools and colleges will follow this example.
For me, it was not merely an understanding of how a bird flies. The bird?s flight entered into me and created a special feeling. From that evening, I thought that my future study has to be with reference to flight and flight systems. I am saying this because my teacher?s teaching and the event that I witnessed decided my future career. Then one evening after the classes, I asked the teacher, ?Sir, please tell me, how to progress further in learning all about flight.? He patiently explained to me that I should complete 8th class, and then go to high school, and then I should go to engineering college that may lead to education on flight. If I complete all my education with excellence, I might do something connected with flight sciences. This advice and the bird flying exercise given by my teacher, really gave me a goal and a mission for my life. When I went to college, I took Physics. When I went to engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, I took Aeronautical Engineering.
Thus my life was transformed as a rocket engineer, aerospace engineer and technologist. That one incident of my teacher teaching the lesson, showing the visual live example proved to be a turning point in my life which eventually shaped my profession.
A student during his school life upto 10+2 spends 25,000 hours in the school campus. His life is, more influenced by the teachers and the school environment. I am sure, the schools and colleges run by the Sree Siddaganga Math has best of teachers who love teaching, particularly since they are in the divine presence of Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, who is the greatest role model for all the teachers and students.
Conclusion
When I am in this divine campus of Swamiji, I would like to share with the audience the power of proper education and its dimensions.
Ultimately education in its real sense is the pursuit of this truth. It is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment. Such a journey opens up new vistas of development of humanism where there is no scope nor room for pettiness, disharmony, jealousy, hatred or enmity. It transforms a human personality into a wholesome being, a noble soul and an asset in the Universe. Universal brotherhood in its true sense becomes the sheet anchor for such education. Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his or her self-respect. If only the real sense of education could be realized by each individual, and carried forward in every field of human activity, the world will be so much a better place to live in.
Dear young friends, now I would like to administer a 10 point oath for enlightened citizenship. Are you ready:
TEN POINT OATH
1. I will pursue my education or the work with dedication and I will excel in it.
2. From now onwards, I will teach at least 10 persons to read and write those who cannot read and write.
3. I will plant at least 10 saplings and shall ensure their growth through constant care.
4. I will visit rural and urban areas and permanently wean away at least 5 persons from addiction and gambling.
5. I will constantly endeavor to remove the pain of my suffering brethren.
6. I will not support any religious, caste or language differentiation.
7. I will be honest and endeavour to make a corruption free society.
8. I will work for becoming an enlightened citizen and make my family righteous.
9. I will always be a friend of the mentally and physically challenged and will work hard to make them feel normal, like the rest of us.
10.I will proudly celebrate the success of my country and my people.
Question and Answer Session
1. Sir, in your view, how can the youth of the country be streamlined so as to take part in the shaping of India's future and its governance ?
- Vishwavivek Anand, VI sem. B.E. (T.E.)
Ans: Youth have to concentrate and excel in their education in whatever field they select. The ideas of the youth towards shaping of India?s future and its governance can be consolidated based on systematic feed back and used in the formulation of national policies.
2. Sir, why is India buying most of the Technology instead of developing here itself ? Is it a problem with funds, lack of Manpower or Knowledge ?
- Vivek .K, VI sem. BE. (T.E.)
Ans: The situation is gradually changing. India instead of being a purchaser of technology has become seller of technology in many cases, such as spacecraft, space launch, automobile, ICT, Pharma and defence systems. There is adequate funds are being allotted for research and development. We also have manpower with experience and knowledge.
3. Sir, what made you to become a Scientist?
- Gagan, III standard, S.B.E.H.P. School
Ans: My elementary school teacher Shri Sivasubramanya Iyer inculcated in me an urge to become a scientist.
4. Sir, is the present rate of increase in the population of India an advantage or disadvantage to the growing economy of the country ? How do you bridge the gap between the rich and the poor ?
- Bharat S Javali, I P.U.,
Ans: The 540 million youth is the greatest asset India possesses for its development. We have only to ensure that we convert the 540 million youth to form the knowledge society through quality education. Knowledge society is the means through which we can bridge the gap between rich and poor.
5. Sir, the number of Govt. technical education institutes (IIT's, NIT's and others) are very less in India. Very few bright students are able to get admission. What can be done to solve this problem ?
- Kala .N, VI sem. B.E. (E&C),
Ans: We have to improve the quality of education in all the engineering and professional colleges to the level of IITs and NITs through systematic accreditation and quality assurance methodology.
6.Sir, is it possible to live a balanced life with both modern technology and traditional values ?
- Shazia Ibrahim Sheikh, I P.U.,
Ans: Yes, it is possible to live a balanced life with both modern technology and traditional value system. Our development process must ensure that we preserve our civilisational heritage. To enable the above I have been advocating the inclusion of one hour per week moral science class taken by the best teachers in all the schools and colleges. I see in this campus of Sri Siddaganga math a unity modern technology and traditional values.
7. Sir, why you are proud to say that you are an Indian ?
- Vandana .V, I B.Sc. (Nursing),
Ans: India is a nation of a billion democratic people with multi culture, multi religion and multi languages. In the planet of earth India is a unique country and everyone of us should be proud to be an Indian to live in such an enriched society.
8. Sir, what's your dream about India and the Indian students ?
- Latha .S, I B.Com.
Ans: India should become a developed nation well before 2020. Indian students should live in a developed India with abundant opportunity for their growth and blossoming.
9. Sir, why India is still in developing stage, even though it is having rich natural resources and technical manpower.
- Bhavana .K.N, I B.Com
Ans: India is the fastest growing economy in the world. Our GDP is growing at 8%. Very soon we will reach 10%. However, we have to bring the 26% people below the poverty line to Zero by our consistent growth performance. The most important quality needed of every citizen is ?I can do it? spirit. This confidence is the biggest resource on the earth.
10. Sir, how do you think, the youth of our country can be motivated to pursue careers in Research and Development ?
- Vishwavivek Anand, VI sem. B.E.
Ans: Providing an assured career in research will motivate the youth take up R&D as a profession. Also there is need to make students understand and enjoy the beauty of science. This can be done by experienced teachers and renowned scientists.
11. Sir, there is acute shortage of water in South India, while there are floods in the north bring hardship to common man. To solve this eternal problem inter linking of rivers (Ganga & Cauvery) is the only solution, when it will be materialised ?
- Shivashankar, IV sem. B.E. (E&C)
Ans: There is a national programme of inter-linking of the rivers and which is going to be a very important programme for water management, for irrigation, drinking, power generation, navigation and environmental upgradation.