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.