6.What inspired you to start the school?

I am a practical philosopher. I have my own visions for the future. We had some additional infrastructure that could be utilized. I had the possibility of starting a youth hostel, working women’s hostel and old-age home apart from a school.

I felt the time is not yet ripe for setting up a youth hostel and working women’s hostel; if people joining there are not of a basic positive mould, it would turn into a perennial headache for us.

I have been into this spiritual service since 1988 and have found that transforming elders is an arduous task. I have given my very best. I cared for each one of them. I motivated them. Trying to make the grown-ups unlearn became an unproductive process. They were comfortable with a particular way of thinking and found it difficult to take a different course. This frustration made me change my system of working. I felt it would be easier to mould youngsters. This was one reason for starting the school. ‘Catching them young’ and inculcating values in them.

I was not inclined to start an old-age home either. There was a possibility that the place will be afflicted with the negative thoughts of some elders who may have the habit of worrying over everything. At the initial stage, people with positive thoughts/open mind are required. Youth suits the purpose better. This was another reason.

Thirdly, most of the volunteers I trained over the years have settled overseas or elsewhere. I am running short of volunteers. The school was a way of motivating children into prospective volunteers.

Only time will prove whether my approach is right or wrong.

If you analyze, you will understand that no where else is education imparted with such comforts and at such nominal rates. And we will be giving them the best.

Every one of our school children is shaping into a multifaceted personality, master of many trades! Like our Samratchana youngsters who have been trained already and have carved a niche for themselves in the outside world, these children too will make a tremendous impact on society.

We have arranged special remedial classes for our hostel students to enhance their inherent capabilities; an unheard-of concept in boarding schools.

Elders are determined not to get transformed. So I am concentrating on our future leaders; I have a vision for at least 2000 children. My vision has always come true. I will be proud of every one of those children who live up to my value system.

That is why I started the school. I wanted to do something good for the future of India. And the future is not you and I.

Look at India in three stages: the earlier generation, which fought for freedom, and whose members are now running from pillar to post for receiving their pension. Then they have to present evidence of their sacrifices. This is the sad state of affairs now.

The next generation that has grown during the 54 years of Independent India has miserably failed in its duty to the nation. India of such an ancient heritage is in a very pitiable condition now. Malaysia and Singapore are extremely successful nations these days, and remember they were given individual identity long after India’s freedom. The excuse we give for our plight is ‘excess population’. Ridiculous! China has a larger population than ours, but is it not a world leader today? Chinese exports hold a major share of the export market. Chinese goods are sold in every country; such is their quality. Chinese are respected wherever they go.

We, Indians, are scorned; we stooped down discarding our personal sense of honour. We have failed in our duty. At least now, we need to nurture a prosperous nation. The next generation is our only hope for a bright future. The only way to mould them is to conduct a school that would nurture their value system in the right direction.

Earlier, grandparents used to narrate stories from the Ramayana and the Mahabharatha (Epics) and also the Panchatantra and tales of kings like Harishchandra, which instilled in the child a sense of values. Nowadays, these grandparents have been interned in old-age homes, or forced to work past retirement age. They are in no position to feed the child’s inquisitive mind. Both the parents having to work for a living do not have time for their children. And if the teacher is money-minded, there ends the child’s growth. Education today has become highly commercialized. And the external environment is also not conducive for imbibing values, what with entertainment channels, print media and politics diverting the children onto a wrong track. Every sphere of activity seems to have its own failings. So who takes responsibility for the child’s growth?

It is this thought that propelled me to start a school, to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow to delve into the ancient heritage of our nation.

The need of today is a value-based education that will lead the children on to the right path, shielding them from the negative effects of cinema, gossip, politics and the like. I had the conviction that we could impart such education, with the right mix of materialism and spirituality, to shape youngsters into fine human beings who will do the nation proud. I will never compromise on what I envisage. It is for the children, the parents and the teachers to fulfill the objective.

(Baba's replies for other questions continue next week)

<<<Previous

Next>>>>