Author: Editorial
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: June 26, 2001
Sri Jayendra Saraswati, the 69th
pontiff of the 2,500-year-old Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham at Kanchipuram, Tamil
Nadu, will address a seminar on Advaita philosophy and the challenges of
globalisation on June 26. Taking strong exception to foeticide, the Shankaracharya
spoke to Narayani Ganesh about the sanctity of life and the need to make
education and health services accessible across the country. He also spoke
about globalisation, social development, science and technology and his
forthcoming trip to China:
Q.: What are your views on population
management?
A.: Official propaganda to restrict
the size of the family has been largely aggressive. Hum Do, Hamare Do is
fine. However, the manner of implementation has been rather abrasive. The
methods advocated have been more interventionist than affirmative. Panic
reaction can create more harm than good. We should talk about discipline
and natural methods of family planning rather than unnatural methods. Panic-stricken
and insecure, some go to the extent of committing foeticide. Hasty intervention
has often resulted in grievous physical and mental injury and sometimes,
even death. No religion sanctions the taking away of another life.
Q.: The main issue here is that
of female foeticide.
A.: Male or female, any kind of
foeticide is wrong. It is violence. It goes against human rights and is
a complete violation of all that religion, any religion, teaches us: To
be compassionate towards all living beings. We should nurture life, not
destroy it.
Q.: What if abortion is necessary
on medical grounds, for instance, to save the mother's life?
A.: I'm not talking about exceptions.
I'm only saying, don't sanctify these measures as part of the population
management propaganda. We should not politicise issues like population
management and the death penalty. Hindu tradition has always venerated
the woman as Shakti incarnate, - the powerful, the eternal mother. In a
manner of speaking, female foeticide would amount to matricide. Killing
is abhorrent, more so selective killing.
Q.: How about the death penalty?
A.: The death penalty was instituted
as a deterrent. This might have worked in those days. But two wrongs don't
make a right. The authorities concerned who decide these matters should
do some deep thinking on this to find a solution.
Q.: How should we resolve the population
problem?
A.: Create more awareness and education
opportunities. Advocate natural methods of family planning. But why do
we assume that people are a liability? Human resource is a valuable resource.
India has great intellectual strength. We just don't know how to nurture
it and make the most of it. Are not our professionals in huge demand in
other countries? The answer is to create opportunities for our people right
here and this will only boost our economy. But we're averse to discipline.
Q.: So you don't then approve of
liberalisation and globalisation?
A.: Tell me, how did the Dutch,
French and British colonise India hundreds of years ago? Through trade,
commerce and industry. Then, the takeover was overt. Today, it is covert.
We eventually rose up against their exploitation, clamoured for and got
our independence. Now, by allowing 100 per cent FDI, we're inviting trouble.
There's scope for more corruption and financial mishandling. We should
rather concentrate on import of technology for our benefit. We don't lack
brains. We might be lacking in funds but that doesn't mean we have to get
enslaved all over again. I'm all for liberalisation, provided it starts
from within the country first. Government should step back from business
and let the private sector take over.
We refused to sign the CTBT. We
went ahead with the Pokhran tests despite international disapproval. Then
how come we're not as discerning in taking economic and business-related
decisions? We have to first liberalise our policies within the country.
Indigenous private enterprise has to be given due opportunities - only
then can we make full use of our human resources.
Q.: How do you perceive the great
advances being made in science and technology?
A.: It's wonderful as long as it
is within the grasp of human ethical and moral values and does not cause
harm to life or to the environment. Once science and technology enter grey
areas, we have to proceed very cautiously. GM humans, GM food, cloning
- we need to understand the implications before moving ahead in these areas,
working as closely as possible with nature.
Childless couples go to great trouble
and expense to be able to bear their own children. I can suggest a very
simple way - please become parents to homeless children. A child is a child.
So why not adopt one? This will do great good to society.
Today, most students want to go
in for IT-related courses and careers. This is good but we should not neglect
the pure sciences like physics, for instance. Talent in the pure sciences
should also be encouraged so that the benefits of its applications can
reach a wide spectrum of society, both in rural and urban India and to
help build a bank of scientists for the next generation.
Q.: Is the Kanchi Mutt involved
in such social development projects?
A.: So many. We help find homes
for abandoned children. We're into education, health, welfare. The Shankara
Charitable Trust oversees social development projects. Near Rudraprayag,
at Ratura (Uttar Kanchi) in the Himalayas, we run a 24-bed hospital, yatri
niwas, school, women's welfare scheme and temple. Many of the local people
suffered from TB. Accident and trauma services are now available. Near
Kanchipuram, at Enathur, we run a Deemed University which offers courses
in IT, engineering, technical skills and Ayurveda.
We also have an Ayurvedic medical
centre and its vans go out to rural areas. All courses include the study
of Sanskrit and Indian heritage and culture, providing exposure to the
modern and the traditional. We are planning for a software park in Kanchipuram.
We are also participating in the administration of the Cancer Institute
at Chennai, to provide free food and shelter for poor patients, mainly
women, from all communities and from all over India (Sri Matha Trust).
We are also associated actively with the medical colleges in Nepal and
Sikkim. Of course, Vedapatshalas are run all over the country. We'd like
to start our own medical colleges but so far we haven't been able to obtain
the no objection certificates necessary for this from the states concerned.
Q.: When are you going to China?
A.: A 10-member cultural delegation
from China visited us at Kanchipuram last year. We spent a great deal of
time with them, exchanging information about our respective cultures and
traditions. They were impressed and their interest kindled, they went back
to China and kept in touch, and got the approval of their government to
extend an invitation to us to visit their country. They loved our fabrics
- silk saris and dhotis. Since then, we've sent four persons on a week's
reconnaissance trip and they've returned, satisfied with the arrangements.
The dates aren't fixed yet.
