INDIA: A SPIRITUAL SUPERPOWER

First of all, we have to rebuild good traditions in individual minds. We have to bring about a change in people’s thinking, so that we may build a society based on sound ethical principles. This again requires a nonviolent struggle, in the complete sense of the phrase. Then, we need to build a nation reinforced by these principles—a nation, that knows the difference between peace and violence, a nation that knows the difference between the spiritual and the non-spiritual. Individuals are the social constituents that make a nation. And a nation armed with the spiritual power of its individuals is in a position to inculcate spirituality in international life. India, by revitalizing, can change the whole world. Let us work for this noble cause. In the age of the culture of peace, the entire world craves peace. It is here that India has a chance to play an important role. India can show the world the path to peace and spirituality and thus emerge as a spiritual superpower. Swami Vivekanand was a great soul of India. I think he was quite right in predicting that, after independence, India would emerge as a spiritual leader of the world. Despite all the material progress that has been made, the world is in search of spirituality. Here, I would like to refer to a very telling incident. I once saw a youth from the West, simply clad, walking along an Indian street. He looked very happy and contented. I struck up a conversation with him and learnt that he belonged to an affluent western country, namely Canada. I asked him why he had left his country and come to India. He quietly replied: “There, I was comfortable physically; here, I am comfortable spiritually”. Indeed, spirituality is the whole identity of our country. For centuries, the lofty Himalayas have served as an abode of spirituality. Its message flows eternally in the water of the Ganga and the Jamuna, while tall green trees provide spiritual solace, and beautiful birds warble the song of peace. This rare combination of spiritual greatness is to be found only in India. This is what makes it a spiritual superpower. It is in this sense that I say that India is potentially a superpower, and as such, we need to produce a spiritual renaissance. Herein lies the secret of attaining global leadership for India. o Spirituality is the whole identity of our country. For centuries, the lofty Himalayas have served as an abode of spirituality. Its message flows eternally in the water of the Ganga and the Jamuna, while tall green trees provide spiritual solace, and beautiful birds warble the song of peace.