” ‘Vivek’ refers to the ability to distinguish right from wrong. It is a tool for decision-making. Broadly, it flows from – ‘ i should behave with others the way I want to be behaved with’ “
“Some of the obstacles in becoming/ being viveki include wrong value parameters; non-freedom to think or act as per one’s understanding due to societal constraints; bigotry; wrong influences/notions in the surroundings – only violent/ extreme measures get noticed or heard!; and desire to adopt short-cuts for quick successes”
“In order to guide youth towards vivek, we will have to initiate dialogue with them, build a relationship with them, develop trust and make friends with them…encourage them to ask questions, fearlessly… their talents/ fine arts skills should be nurtured.”
We were speaking to a group of resource persons regarding promotion of rational thinking in colleges. The group comprised Dr. Ashok Kadam, teacher in Barshi College, Solapur, Dr. Shyam Mahajan, Milind Deshmukh, Munjaji Kamble, Neeta Samant ( Chalisgaon), Narendra Kamble, Prof. Praveen Deshmukh, Matunga College, Prashant Potdar, Rambhau Dongre, Sandesh Gaikwad (Raigad), Madhukar Gaikwad, Hamid Dabholkar, Mukta Dabholkar.
Vijay Joshi mentioned that vivek is not merely a skill to fight some social evils, but it is an essential life skill necessary for an orderly individual and an orderly society. Mukta Dabholkar mentioned that vivek is critical for democracy. It is based on the principle of evidence-based belief and
relies on rational thinking. Lack of information, conditioning are some of the obstacles in becoming viveki. Hamid mentioned that it is immensely important to work with the youth, and the experience is that while it may take time, while there are obstacles, vivek can be implanted.
Colleges will now approach resource persons such as these to have orientation of college teachers, students, other people involved with the college; followed by selection of core team of students from these colleges, who will be duly trained to carry out various activities throughout the year, impinging on discussion, understanding, and development of vivek.
Article 51 A (h) of our Constitution states: ‘It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform’. It is a step in that direction.
