Ignited Minds

  I read a book titled An Unfinished Dream by the milkman of India, Dr Verghese Kurien. He says in the book, ‘It was by chance that I became a dairy man.’ But a British expert’s criticism, ‘The sewer water of London is bacteriologically superior to the milk of Bombay,’ served as a challenge to the young Kurien, who has taken dairying from strength to strength over the decades so that today India is a front-ranker in milk production.

  On a visit to Anand I had the opportunity to spend a day with him. As I went around the Amul establishment, I saw value addition at work. From milk the cooperative has branched off to making numerous derivatives, including butter, cheese and ice- cream. These initiatives have given it the strength to be a major player in a highly competitive market. When I asked him what, in his view, was one sure way of launching the country on a growth trajectory, his answer was: ‘You must build on the resources represented by our young professionals and by our nation’s farmers. Without their involvement we cannot succeed. With their involvement we cannot fail.’

  While talking about scientists, I recall my meeting with a medical specialist, Prof. Kakarla Subba Rao, at the Indo-American Cancer Institute at Hyderabad. I asked him if cancer was some unmitigated curse. Yes and no, said the seventy-seven-year-old Albert Einstein Professor of Radiology. Yes, because we genetically inherit certain traits which make us vulnerable to cancer. No, because whether we get it or escape it depends largely on our immune response. Research into how the brain can influence immune response has given rise to the new field called Psycho-Neuro-Immunology (PNI). Findings in this field have brought great hope to people dealing with such difficult illnesses as cancer, AIDS, CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome) and other immune-system-related diseases. Other fields of research include Psycho-Neuro- Cardiology (PNC), the study of the mind— heart connection, or Psycho-Neuro- Haematology (PNH), the study of how the mind can influence blood-related disorders, such as clotting problems in haemophilia. Such is the power of thought!

  These are diseases which normally require intensive treatment. But even here, medicine acknowledges that our minds can play a major role.

  SUMMARY

  Vision ignites the minds. India needs visionaries of the stature of J.R.D. Tata, Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and Dr Verghese Kurien, to name a few, who can involve an entire generation in mission-driven programmes which benefit the country as a whole.

  4

  Learning From Saints and Seers

  For the society to prosper there are two important needs. They are: prosperity through wealth generation and cherishing the value system of the people. The combination of the two will make the Nation truly strong and prosperous.

  I always tell the young to dream. This message comes from the understanding that each one of us has within ourselves the ability to create the circumstances for success–to attract, so to say, to ourselves what we desire. When as a child Einstein first saw a compass he was fascinated by the way the needle moved whenever he changed direction. Watching the needle became an obsession with him as he tried to understand the invisible force that moved the compass needle. Where was the force located? Who controlled it? Why did it always work? What was it made of? Were there places where it didn’t operate? It is of course the magnetic energy of the earth that keeps pulling the compass needle, a tiny magnet, along the north—south axis of the earth’s magnetic field. But is that all there is to it?

  We can easily see the magnetic field at work, but cannot detect it with our senses, even though it is everywhere on our planet. Logically then, it is in us also.

  Similarly, our planet is in a perpetual state of motion as it goes spinning through space. Everything on the planet is a part of this movement, even though it appears to us that we are motionless. I am on the planet and thus part of the energy that moves it. The energy that is the very essence of the planet is in me.

  Dyer argues that we can use this universal energy to bring to us the objects of our desire, because what we desire is also in us and vice versa. It becomes a matter of alignment and will that allows us to tap into this force.

  With thoughts like these on the points where science and spiritualism converge, I carved out opportunities to visit a few unique places in a year’s time. Most of these places were new to me and offered me the chance to learn more about certain things I had always been interested in but could not explore–such as the world of saints and seers. I saw a diverse range of activities being carried out in the spiritual centres I visited. At one, it was the value-based education being provided that impressed me. At another place, an attempt was being made to integrate ancient science with modern and Sanskrit documents were being studied to gauge the progress made in earlier times. I saw how a Sufi saint could become a magnet for people of different faiths. I had an extended discussion on the fusion of science and spirituality with a guru. I saw how a punya atma can go beyond providing religious strength to setting up hospitals and universities, as also a scheme for supply of water. There was one place which seeks to alleviate the distress of patients who are suffering from terminal cancer. Another centre was exploring the link between medical science and meditation.

  My journey started on 13 June 2001, when I met Pramukh Swami Maharaj of Swaminarayan Sanstha at Ahmedabad. My discussion with Swamiji on the fusion of science and spirituality, and the role it could play in national development, went on for an hour. I am tempted to reproduce verbatim the questions and answers with Swamiji.

  Abdul Kalam (AK): Swamiji, India had the vision, since 1857, to be an independent nation. It took ninety years for us as a nation to get freedom. During this time the whole nation–the young and old, rich and poor, educated and illiterate–was together in this aim. The goal was one, focussed, and well understood–to acquire independence. Swamiji, what is or what can be such a vision now? Since the last fifty years, India has been a developing country. It means economically it is not strong, socially it is not stable, in security aspects it is not self- reliant, and that is why it is called a developing country. Five hundred members of TIFAC (Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council) have given thought to what should be the next vision for India. How do we transform a developing country into a developed country in the next twenty years? We have identified five important areas to transform India– education and healthcare, agriculture, information and communication, infrastructure and critical technology. Swamiji, our problem is that we may present this before the government, but how do we create people with values to carry out such a big vision? What we need is a cadre of value- based citizens. Otherwise resources will not be deployed effectively, as we are witnessing. For this, we need your suggestion, Swamiji.

  Swamiji: Along with these five, you needed a sixth one–faith in God and developing people through spirituality. This is very important. We need to first generate a moral and spiritual atmosphere. There has to be a change in today’s climate of crime and corruption. We need people who live by the laws of the scriptures and bear faith in God. For this we need to rekindle belief. This will make things easier. Our problems will be solved and we shall be able to achieve what we dream.

  AK: Swamiji, for carrying forward such a big vision of transforming India, should we first create a spiritual tradition–make people more spiritually inclined–and then embark upon our vision, or focus on one of the important areas like education or health? Or should we integrate everything and begin simultaneously?

  Swamiji: We must move ahead simultaneously. Work in the five fields that your team has identified for the country’s progress should be continued and this should be concurrently incorporated. Our culture teaches us to learn both Para (spiritual) and Apara (worldly) vidya (knowledge). Therefore, together with knowledge of the Apara, one should learn the Para as well. If one learns this then Apara vidya– worldly knowledge–will become founded on dharma and spirituality. One must remember that in God’s scheme of things, the whole purpose behind creation is the idea that every person–every soul–atta
ins bliss.

  AK: To realize this great dream, three types of people are needed–punya atma (virtuous people), punya neta (virtuous leaders) and punya adhikari (virtuous officers). If the population of all the three were to increase in our society, then India would become the jagadguru (world leader). How can their numbers be increased?

  Swamiji: Together with your academic and scientific training, give spiritual training in our schools and colleges. Nowadays, spiritual education has been removed from the syllabi of schools and colleges. That which should be taught from infancy is being neglected and we continue to provide only academic knowledge. But from the beginning, right from birth, people should be taught values, only then will people become virtuous. Knowledge of our scriptures and great sadhus and sages should be included in the syllabus. The social, spiritual and political leaders whom we hold in respect imbibed the correct values from the very beginning. In the past, such values were taught in our gurukul system of education. Whether a prince or a pauper, everyone studied together. Along with academics, lessons such as satyam vada (speak the truth), dharmam chara (tread the path of righteousness), service towards others and faith in God were taught.

  AK: Swamiji, good citizens cannot be produced by the laws of the government. Can spiritual institutions do it? Can you ask parents to guide their children to learn the right values up to the age of fifteen? Similarly, in all elementary schools, teachers should also instil these in the students. But if we fail to do this, then the government cannot by itself produce good, honest citizens. Is my understanding correct, Swamiji?

  Swamiji: Yes, it’s true. It’s definitely true. We’ve been saying from the very beginning that values should be taught by parents at home, teachers at school, and the guru in later life.

  AK: Swamiji, when I first launched a rocket it failed, but strengthened by ISRO’s support, my team combated the failure to achieve success. This sentiment is also expressed by Tiruvalluvar in the Thirukkural –when failure occurs, challenge it with cheerful attitude.

  Swamiji: When one possesses such noble thoughts, patriotism is but natural. That’s why we say, if spiritual knowledge is given from the beginning, love and pride for one’s country, society and dharma is a natural result. However, spiritual values should form the foundation of life.

  AK: Spiritual strength is important. And along with this, we must have economic strength for strength is respected in the world. A combination of both is necessary. And to achieve both, there is only one answer–sweat! Hard work is a must.

  Swamiji: We often say, ‘Human effort and God’s grace.’ Even failure of the first rocket, which you faced, was for your good, it prodded you to make things better. God has ultimately given you success.

  AK: For India’s development, I wish to establish a trust–Vision 2020–with five like- minded individuals. I seek your blessings for this.

  Swamiji: God’s blessings are already upon you. I shall pray that your ideas are successfully realized. May India prosper both spiritually and economically. What I wish to say is that the stronger the spiritual wealth, the stronger will become all other forms of wealth. If you increase material wealth alone, man will be lost in luxury and worldly pleasures. Spirituality will guide him back, help him rise above mundane pleasures. In reality, we rarely provide what is really needed. We provide everything else, clothing, food, shelter, but with all this we should also provide spiritual wealth. One should remember that when man gains extra money and power, more than what is necessary, then he invites ruin, restlessness and destruction. He loses control.

  It’s good that you’ve come here today. It’s given us much joy. The rishis (sages) of the past have also given us science. You, too, are a rishi.

  In September 2001, I visited the Dargah Sharif of Sufi mystic Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, better known as Gharib Nawaz, at Ajmer. Here, in AD 1256, at the age of 114, the saint entered his cell to pray in seclusion for six days, at the end of which he passed away. As I went round the dargah, I was struck by the beauty of all that the shrine symbolized. Eight hundred years ago, a saint travelled from Arabia, passing through many lands before reaching Ajmer. Here he brought together different communities who lived peacefully around his shrine.

  The teachings and message of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz have been of an exceptional character. His simple teachings penetrated even a stony heart; his affectionate look could silence the fiercest enemy; he brought the message of universal love and peace. Chishti sufis who succeeded him continued the tradition set by him. They were truly the pioneers in national integration.

  The teachings of Khwaja Sahib have been recorded in several books. For him, one who possesses the magnanimity of the river, the kindness of the sun and humility of the earth is closest to God. Khwaja Sahib said that the noblest character is possessed by one who is graceful in poverty, content in hunger, cheerful in grief and friendly in hostility. According to this great saint, the surest way to avoid the punishment of hell is to feed the hungry, to redress the aggrieved and to help the distressed. Khwaja Sahib gave a role model of Aarif, one who considers death as his friend, comfort as his enemy and always remembers God. An Aarif fears, respects and possesses shyness.

  Why can’t we conduct ourselves as Aarifs? I wondered. Before any action, ask yourself this question: ‘Is what I am about to say or do going to bring me peace?’ As Dyer says, if the answer is yes, proceed wholeheartedly with it and you will be allowing yourself the wisdom of your highest self. If the answer is no, be cautious of your ego that is at work. The ego promotes turmoil because it separates you from everyone, including God. At Khwaja Sahib’s shrine I could listen to the voice that only wants you to be at peace with yourself.

  Ajmer is located in the picturesque Aravalli range. Besides the Dargah Sharif it has the holy lake of Pushkar. These two holy places symbolize, as it were, the abiding amity between the two major religions of India. Ajmer presents a model of a peaceful society. I performed namaz as a thanksgiving for this amity. The scene reminded me of the similar location of two other religious centres, Nagore Dargah and Velankanni church.

  On 2 October 2001 I visited Amritanandamayee’s Amrita Institute of Computer Technology near Kollam in Kerala with Prof. N. Balakrishnan of the IISc. and G. Madhavan Nair, Director, VSSC. I addressed about 1,000 young students, teachers, brahmacharis and swamis. The topic I selected was ‘Multi Dimensions of Knowledge Products.’ I found in the students a high level of receptivity to new ideas. In their questions, they showed interest not only in technological development but also in adhering to an honest way of life. After the interaction with the students I met Amma. It was a remarkable experience.

  How can one take oneself closer to God was the message she was giving to the people. I wondered at the extraordinary effort that had gone into setting up an institution which could build hospitals, set up management schools of high calibre, and provide housing schemes for the economically weaker sections of society. My query led to a discussion with Amma and the other sanyasis. Though the institution imparts education in all major disciplines of knowledge and creates engineers, medical doctors, management graduates and science research scholars, they are still circumscribed by their individual specialization. Amma suddenly said, ‘Something is missing. How to connect?’

  What she was referring to was bringing together these capabilities for a joint purpose.

  I was at Christ College, Rajkot, getting ready for a function there when there was a call from Swami Nikhileswarananda of the Ramakrishna Mission. Swamiji requested me to visit his ashram and I had to agree. After the function at Christ College, I rushed to the ashram. It was the time for the evening bhajan and so touched was I by the singers’ serene invocation that I sat down with them for nearly fifteen minutes, lost in meditation. Here too I felt the same vibrations as I did while meditating at Swami Vivekananda Hall, Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi.

  On 6 October 2001, the Sankaracharyas of Kanchi organized a very important gathering of farmers from hundreds of vil
lages to launch integrated development through the concept of knowledge- empowered rural development. I was invited to participate. Panchayat heads belonging to various political parties converged at Kanchi to discuss development under a project designed to Provide Urban facilities in Rural Areas (PURA). I was struck by the fact that spiritual leaders were helping focus programmes for development.

  When the meeting ended both Acharyas called me for a private meeting. Swami Jayendra Saraswathigal inquired about the crashlanding of the helicopter and blessed me. Swami Vijayendra Saraswathigal conveyed to me that the maulvi of a very famous 300- year-old mosque was waiting in the mutt to take me to the mosque. Swamiji suggested that I visit the mosque.

  His message brought to my mind an incident in Paramacharya’s time, a decade ago, as told by the former President, R. Venkataraman. Mr Venkataraman showed me the mosque very close to the Kanchi mutt. A few years ago, the mosque jamayath (authorities) and the district authorities decided to relocate the mosque to some other suitable place as its present location was inconvenient both for the mutt and mosque. As a large number of people visit the historic mosque and there are huge gatherings at the mutt too, the traffic was becoming difficult to manage. The mutt would rebuild the mosque in its new location. Somehow this message reached the Paramacharya. He vehemently opposed the whole idea. He said, ‘In fact, when at 4.30 a.m. the call for namaz comes from the mosque, it acts as a wake-up call for my divine duties.’ And also for many other reasons he was opposed to the relocation of the mosque. He made this clear to both the district authorities and the mutt. The Paramacharya went into mouna vridham– deep silence. Finally, shifting of the mosque was stopped.