ASK MAULANA

can be achieved only through adopting the right method towards its fulfilment. People, both political and non-political, are fascinated by the concept of raising voices against evil. Every day there are some examples of the use of this method. Some people are speaking on stage, some are protesting on the streets, some are organizing paidal-yatras, while others are trying to produce the required result through the ballot box. The purpose of all is common, that is, to raise their voice against social and political evils. These methods have been in use for more than half a century, however, the required result is nil. The situation is akin to sowing the seed but having no yield in return. Why have these efforts failed to produce positive results? The reason is very clear. Social change cannot be brought about through demonstrating on the streets, it is brought about by changing people at the intellectual level. Social change is not an issue of street activism, it is an issue of intellectual activism. The only way to social change is one, that is, education, both formal and informal. This method seems to be a very long-term method, but according to the law of nature, any substantial result is achieved only by long-term planning. Shortterm planning cannot produce any valuable result. Social construction or nation building is like growing oak trees. If we perform this task in the right way, a time will come when nation building will have become a reality. However, if we do not adopt the right method to carry out this task, then even after thousands of years of effort we will not be able to achieve our target. To eradicate corruption, we have to give individuals a goal greater than money. The pursuit of wealth will only lead to discontentment, while the pursuit of wisdom will always lead to contentment. Only the content can abandon corrupt practices. To achieve this goal, we have to address individual minds, not attract crowds. A spiritual revolution cannot be brought about by a mob. And only a spiritual revolution can root out corruption. Education is the first step towards the construction of a nation. There can be no other beginning to the journey. What is the most pressing issue confronting India as a society today? In present-day India, the sphere of education and employment is vitiated by favouritism. But if the government in power were to take decisions which were merit-based instead of favour-based, the class of people who reaped benefits from the favour culture might become