What society owes the individual
By A.P.N. Pankaj

IT is true that changes in a society are brought about by individuals fired with high idealism and deep commitment to convictions rises. The nation undergoes a metamorphosis and a country witnesses revolution. Far reaching changes have, no doubt, been brought about in societies and nations by individuals.

But to say that a society or a nation is not responsible for the kind of individuals it produces is to ignore an important reality. A large mass of people which constitutes the general social spectrum in any country, follows the ethos, the traditions, the precedents, the customs, indeed the entire pattern of life that is set out by that society. In a given social set-up, the individuals who by whatever means, attain success become role models for the growing impressionable minds. It is in this perspective that a collective psyche of a nation or a society develops and we talk in terms of national character or social ethos of a people. Every society boasts of colossal figures who, with their larger than life image, influence the society and people in general. An entire mass of individuals — live and swear by social norms. While an individual must explore his potential and endeavour to put into gear his abilities and strengths to maximise his performance, it is equally important that the society should provide him the right environment and opportunity for doing so.

One could cite examples of a few individuals who, with their grit and determination, made way for themselves through heavy odds. There are countless individuals who succumb to the adversities surrounding them and in spite of initial sparks of promise and even brilliance, are soon consigned to a life of misery for want of a supporting environment. While talking of human resources development, we must remenber that we are not talking of exceptional individuals alone. The philosophy of HR does not accept that a large chunk of human resources should be overlooked. As the cliche goes, the strength of a chain depends upon its weakest link. For a nation to be really strong, it is these weak links that need to be helped and given opportunities to find their strengths and rise and contribute to the fortunes of the society and the nation.

Of all opportunities required for developing our human resources it is the opportunity for education that is the most important. In a country where a large number of her boys and girls remain illiterate, any talk of progress is irrelevant.

While here is justification in laying emphasis on education at the secondary and higher levels, that would enable them to determine and pursue the discipline they would like to adopt when they grow up and enter the vocations and organisations of their choice, it is essential that a child, at the primary level, is taught not only the three Rs but also helped in inculcating the qualities of a responsible future citizen of our pluralistic society.

Unfortunately, our intellectuals and educationists today do not seem to attach much importance to idealism,morality and ethics which must form a part of primary curriculum. A consensus also needs to be built up for incorporating positive, universal and eternal religious values that are common to all religions, in the primary syllabus. There is a lot in our culture which, if imbibed by the children, would enable them to grow up as good adults and take pride in their country.

A strong sense of national pride with equal emphasis on our age old mantra of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole world is a family) needs to be developed among them in their early years. This does not have to be either cumbersome or difficult. It is possible to incorporate them in the syllabus in a simple and precise manner.

Unfortunately the entire emphasis today seems to be on materialism and our educational system is no exception. A generation of politicians, teachers, managers, bureaucrats, industrialists and businesspersons has been brought up to blindly pursue the illusive and unsatiating goals of material prosperity without a balancing concern for moral and ethical values.

The result is a society seething with unrest and bursting at the seams with a culture of violence, cynicism and decadence. This society has thrown up a political leadership in which no one has any faith, where good men are ineffective and those who are effective revel in anti-social behaviour and are powerful because of it.

In a society where basic needs of survival and security are nor assured, it is perhaps unfair to talk of higher needs. We must not, however, forget that in every human heart, there lingers an aspiration to achieve success and recognition and self-actualisation although the struggle for existence does not allow these to blossom. What is important is that the primary education, with emphasis, among other things, on universal, moral and ethical values is made available to all children as their fundamental right. At the same time a national environment in which higher education is available to our young men and women according to their inclinations without exorbitant cost is absolutely necessary.

Large corporate houses and commercial organisations, owe it to society to provide such environment. The number of such organisations, considering the size of our country, is abysmally low thanks to a tendency among a large number of them to look at every venture from a commercial angle. It is necessary also that we stop depending on governments of the centre or the states as purveyors of all our needs. Higher education may not be available entirely free, but it should be available easily without students and parents having to yield to the demands of extortionists.

With primary education, emphasising character orientation and secondary and higher education responding to survival, security and social needs of our people, we shall hopefully be able to have individuals in our society who, after passing through a fulfilling career, shall be able to experience, in their twilight year, the sunshine of self-actualisation as well.