The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Value system is imperative

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Sunday, Aug 10, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Value system is imperative

Photo: K. Ananthan

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“Even now there are very good teachers. What is absolutely essential is a good value system. People should be dedicated to their profession,” observes Swami Swaroopananda.

The swamiji, who is a direct disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, is the regional head of the Chinmaya Mission of Australia, the UK and Far East and also the director-in-charge of the Chinmaya International School, Coimbatore. He has lectured at Harvard University, London Business School and major companies like Ford, Credit Suisse and Max New York Life. His mantra is “discover your purpose, resolve your conflict, overcome your obstacles and break through your self-imposed limitations.” His successful management programme “Make it happen” is a call to CEOs, MDs and heads of institutions. In a chat with G. Satyamurty he is categorical that there is absolutely no sense in cribbing that the good teachers have faded out. Even now there are quite a few good ones. “What we should realise is that the value system has changed and dedication has been compromised.” That is why Chinmaya Mission is trying to impart value based education in its schools. There should be an attempt for spiritual uplift.

He regrets that current day education has unfortunately failed to build the character. He is confident that even now children can find a role model. “There may not be super role models like Mahatma Gandhi.” He admits that a lot of current syllabus is “outdated”. Mostly it is “marks-oriented”. According to him, along with normal education, there should be an emphasis on culture and values. “When culture decays it is difficult to sus tain values in society.”

He wants the children be told “value-based stories”. This would lead to more inquiry into deeper knowledge of spirituality.

The swamiji wants spirituality to be taken to the managerial system. “West has given us the Techniques of Management and in India we have the Philosophy of Management.” He cites even the Shankaracharya and the Buddha as great examples as the “systems” that they had created continue to survive. “But unfortunately we do not treat them as managerial systems but brush them aside just as religious instructions. Their systems do continue to work.”

At the same time, he asserts that western techniques may not work in India. “What is imperative is managing the mind.” When people work with dedication to achieve an ideal or goal and work with inspiration, all management techniques will work. He points out that several successful persons, including Bill Gates of Microsoft, have been drop-outs. The swamiji spells out the imperatives for becoming successful in any management. “First of all we should know what we want to achieve. Otherwise, in spite of all the techniques, it will not be possible to achieve anything. Then think of how to achieve---how to help the techniques in you to work.” This is a sort of conflict resolution. Try to understand the ancient Vedantic principles and personality layers and how conflicting views are arrived at due to the personality layers. He underlines the necessity of “right value system” in management. Even big companies can adopt spiritual principles. Emphasising the importance of honesty in every walk of life, he has no hesitation to assert that there is “honesty even among the corrupt.” He pleads for “value-based management” in every activity.

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