Ethical Revolution

Introduction:
With due respect to earlier generation for all the love and affection showered on us, I start writing this article about the some failures attributable to them. Failure mostly is in the dimension of ethics, lack of ethics rather, they imparted to us. Present generation has inherited a much degraded earth from earlier generation. Adding to the pathos we have worsened it further. (to be discussed later in another article on youth today)

Last couple of decades has witnessed a whole of transformation. Science and Technology has drastically advanced. Many of us today are enjoying comforts that are not even in imagination decades earlier. Unfortunately the cultural values are not carried forward with the same vigor. Moral values and ethical standards are taken too lightly. In order to uphold them, demonstration and practice is the only way. Mahabharata says “Aachara Prabhavo Dharmah” meaning Dharma can only be propagated through practice.

Degradation:
Caste system was largely criticized. Many claimed caste system is an insane methodology created to establish divide between humans. Popular opinion is higher castes tampered with Shastras for their own benefit. Even though primary aim of the system is to establish a balance and order in the society, not many bothered to address this point in their criticism. Stress was put on uplifting lower castes but not many paid attention to suffering and economically weak segments of so called upper castes. Despite criticism, when it comes to personal practice like marrying their kids, doing undue favors many still practice caste system. Even politics revolves around caste.

Caste system is replaced by Class System. Class system centered around social status and indirectly on money. This has lead to more divides in the society than caste system like trade unions, workers unions etc., Money and power reached its prime in terms of importance and soon money earning became an obsession to lot of people. Irrespective of moral correctness of their actions, rich and powerful got away.

Relationships have diluted including husband/wife and parents/offsping relations. Elders are not given due respect and the same is being involuntarily passed to us. Ego levels have raised beyond a point resulting in strained relations. Especially in a manner unfamiliar to Indians, marriages has taken a huge hit.

Self centered outlook has grown and lots of people started putting “I” before any cause. This has resulted in increased corruption levels and bribe has become a daily affair for public servants. Aggression and I know-all attitudes have grown among individuals. With such an attitude peoples’ ability to think beyond a point has lowered. Constrained thought and emotional influence has weakened the race.

Movies have deteriorated people even further. Earlier forms like theatre were nearly cremated wit advent of Cinema. Movies, instead of providing knowledge and being used as a means of education, started providing merely entertainment. Also in the name of entertainment, they started contributing more towards moral degradation of people. They started showing Gurubrahma as comedians and Matru and Pitru Devatas as buffoons. They started spreading a deceiving notion of boy-girl love as highest form of love. Is it equal to Brahma padartha mentioned in Vedas? No one knows!!
One positive sign is the improved importance tied to education and literacy levels have increased. How ever this has lead to two types of problems. Some parents put extra pressure on kids for education leading to increased stress levels on kids. Thrust was not put on learning instead it is put on marks/grades and thus creating unhealthy competitive environment. They also failed to understand the differences that exist between kids. Lots importance was put on smarter generation kids who go to study in IIT/IIMs or who manage to settle abroad in countries like US or UK.

Conclusion:
As mentioned at the beginning, we surely appreciate all the good things done for us. This is just an attempt to give a review of mistakes done from an outsider point of view. Our generation has surely gone a step ahead in deteriorating the standards further. Only an ethical revolution can save us and help us in getting back on track to Indian tradition and moral values.

Mass Movements -- An Analysis

Introduction:

Mass movements are not new phenomenon to India. Gandhiji, the Father of Nation, advocated and publicized them while leading India’s struggle for independence. His mass movements like Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience movements gathered large massed of India and paved way for India’s independence. They gathered attention not only of British rulers but of the entire world. Gandhiji advocated non-violence as the tool to these movements.

A mass movement can only be lead by a charismatic or an appealing leader. On some occasions it can be instantiated by an appealing cause even if the leader himself is not appealing. It is not easy to drive these sorts of movements. Fundamentally these sorts of movements are driven by strong conviction on the cause, and thus the cause can motivate some of those involved to deviate from the means. Gandhiji himself faced lots of problems while leading non-cooperation movements and had to call off the movement at its peak when some of the masses resorted to violent means. It is not so easy because more often than not the mass is not homogenous both in composition and composure.

Benefits:

Mass movements are surely a genuine way, if advocated properly, to show the majority public opinion to governing body. It helps public to highlight their preference in cases where government is acting against it. It is a great tool in practice of democracy. These can also be used as a tool to educate people. Raja Rammohan Roy created Brahmasamaj and used it in educating people on popularly established social evils such as child marriages and sati. Mass movements can also be used in spreading a concept. Bhakti movement can be cited as an example where propagation of Bhakthi is done by various leaders. This is a specific case where there is no centralized leadership driving it.

Side effects:
Mass movements are not devoid of disadvantages. Primary pitfall lies in faulty cause/leader. If the selfish motives drive the cause then the advantage is soon lost. The driver steers the mass into some unethical/undue cause leading to chaos. We, the Indians, are fundamentally emotional beings. Even though we rationalize things, if some leader tampers with our emotions, we falter. Some selfish leaders have used them as a means to achieve their personal goals.

In some cases, these are being driven by select people appointed just to make sure the movement gathers mass. Masses, in summary, are not volunteered into the movement but are forced into it by core subsect. They may use gundaism to drive it. Also in most times public life is jeopardized to draw governments’ attention to the cause. Transportation, public services are impacted leading to inconvenience to public. In recent times lots of students and young men are being driven into these movements. Some of them are not fully mature enough to handle their emotions well and thus resort to violent means. This can result in damage to public/private property/people and also impacts their education.
Some cases innocent people who are unable to cope up with emotions are resorting to suicides in support of the cause. These can bring pathos to their families and near and dear.

Conclusion:
As a conclusion mass movements are powerful tools in democracy how ever there are adequate chances for their misuse by corrupt leaders.