Report of Universal Brotherhood Day function organized by Vishwa Adhyayan Kendra (VAK-Mumbai) on Friday 7th August 2009 at the Cultural Centre of Russia, Mumbai - 26.
The main entrance, reception area and the auditorium were beautifully decorated with rangoli giving a colourful and festive look.
Ms Divya Sharda played the role of MC and conducted the proceedings effectively and efficiently by her superlative skills in communication.
The programme began with the Welcome Address of Shri Sanjay Kelapure, President of VAK who highlighted the objectives of the VAK. He also introduced the dignitaries on stage. He mentioned that VAK organises the U B Day every year to foster friendship and goodwill with various consulates and foreign nationals in Mumbai.. He concluded that VAK aspires to become a think-tank that will provide alternative viewpoint on international issues with India-centric focus.
Shri Sanjay Hegde Executive Partner - PWC India and founding Director of Sewa Sahayog Foundation, Mumbai presided over the function. He complimented VAK for organizing the event every year to foster friendship and harmony. Though it was a small step it is a significant one he added. He felt that though Universal Brotherhood cannot be implanted sitting in an air conditioned auditorium and speaking for a few hours on the topic, the act is like sowing a seed that will germinate, become a plant and eventually a big tree that will be seen only later. He strongly felt that the virus of goodness should spread more than the virus of those doing bad things. He recalled that civilizations and new thoughts have arisen in many parts of the world but only in Bharat (India) new thoughts, ideas and change have been always welcome without resistance. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family) is a great heritage that we have inherited which we need to cherish and also preserve he said. He also stressed the need for practicing and thus preserving our priceless traditions and values.
Chief Guest of the function, Mr. Alexey Redkin, Consul at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai in his short speech thanked VAK for conducting the function at the Cultural Centre of Russia. “Rakshabandhan, in fact, has a much broader perspective and a universal outlook. The festival encompasses true sense of peace, trust and brotherhood” he said. Russians and Indians are like brothers stressed the Consul. He concluded by saying “It is very appropriate that efforts like observing Universal Brotherhood Day will make an important contribution in creating better appreciation of peace, cooperation and harmony in the world, particularly among the increasingly influential and extremely talented younger generation.”
Ms Divya Sharda later gave details of the Paper Presentation Competition (PPC) which was held among students of Technology, Management and International Studies from 20 institutions of Mumbai on the topic ‘India in centre stage of emerging i2i nations’. She also gave brief profiles of the judges of the PPC – Shri Ajay Pandey, Shri K. Narassimhan and Shri Sandeep Singh.
Dr. B. K. Modi later distributed certificates and cash prizes to the winners of PPC.
Shri Sagar Shenvi, final year student from IIT who bagged the first prize presented the synopsis of his paper. He felt that in the last century a thunderstorm of technology has poured on the world that has left mankind shocked and perplexed instead of bringing happiness. There is serious search for human values and principles that bring happiness. The remarkable thing about Indian civilization is that there is an undercurrent of good and positive values that families have nurtured and passed on to generations. At a time when West has conquered Science and is longing for value systems that will ensure peace, India has the same from tradition and legacy he concluded.
The Keynote Address was given by Dr. B. K. Modi - a global visionary, peace ambassador and a multi-faceted personality. Dr Modi said that universal outlook was inborn in every Indian. “We are all brought up hearing the verses vasudhaiva kutumbakam. We all earnestly look forward to the day when the world will understand the meaning of these verses and start living like a family” he said.
He reminded the audience that in 1938 Shri Aurobindo had predicted that once in 175 years there is a cycle that brings India in centre stage and in a leadership position in the world. “The birth of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the start of one such cycle that has commenced in 1836. In 1893 we have seen Swami Vivekananda proclaim the message of India to the world at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago. The year 2011 will once again bring India to eminence and the world will be led by Indian thought” he said.
He recalled the events after the end of World War II in 1945 and dwelled on various issues that have had a profound influence on the world from then onwards.
“The UN was formed and 5 countries viz. USA, Russia, UK, France and China have become permanent members of the Security Council and since then dominated the global scene and influenced the world by various bodies of UN like IMF, World Bank etc.
Most of the countries in the i2i region (Israel to Indonesia) whereas attained freedom from colonies only after 1945. Unfortunately they have no role in decision making in the world today though they constitute the best talent in the world and have 37% of the population of the world living in this region.
300 years before now, India was a major force. Our greatest virtue has always been ‘freedom of thought’. Avtars also came from time to time to reiterate the importance of the freedom of thinking process. The geographical area from Israel to Indonesia is strongly influenced by India. There is cultural link and most of the countries in this i2i belt look to India for their progress and prosperity. India therefore has a great responsibility to lead these countries.
We have seen Industrial Revolution in the 50s and later Agriculture Revolution. We are now in an era of new revolution – Knowledge Revolution. Human mind is the centre of this revolution. This revolution is leading to unprecedented wealth creation. TCS has more value that all other companies of Tata group. It is wealth creation that drives nations to leadership positions.
The world population has also undergone a sea change. 2.5 billion of the world’s 6.5 billion live in the i2i belt that constitutes 37%. 43 % of the world’s young ignited minds under age 14 live in the i2i belt. They are the future of mankind. The most developed among the i2i nations is Singapore, but India is the largest supplier of young and talented work force for Singapore and also the world.
Today roughly 30 million young Indians are living outside India and are among the world’s richest talent force. In coming 10 years they are projected to grow to 80 million. They will naturally make a huge difference to world thinking. It is natural that India will slowly acquire the leadership of the world due to its talent force.
The world need not though worry about India acquiring the leadership role because unlike others who have resorted to violence, war and oppression to proclaim their leadership we will conquer by our message of peace, love and harmony. Non-violence and compassion are our mantra.
500 years ago India’s GDP was 50% of world GDP. Even though we possessed the best military talent of the world we did not invade any country by choice.
Vishwa Dharma Prasaar Yatra that touched 40 countries and 1 million people was aimed at taking the peace message of the great acharyas of Bharat to the whole world in the form of a global pilgrimage.
We are fortunate that we are born in India. We are more fortunate that we live close to year 2011 when India will attain glory by becoming global leader. We are most fortunate that the world is beginning to understand the message of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ i.e. living as one family.”
His speech was a perfect blend of optimism, information and hope.
The inspiring, interesting and informative Keynote Address was followed by a thrilling and entertaining Q/A session which was ably moderated by Dr. Satish Modh. Excerpts from the Q/A session:
On the frustration seen in youngsters of today -
“This should be our challenge but we need to find answers to this and guide our youngsters. We have to train them not only for India but for the world. We have to accept change with a welcome smile and mind. India is destined to send more and more youngsters outside. It is going to be hard but we can’t help it. We can’t take cover behind the old theory of ‘brain drain’. In fact it will be ‘brain gain’ when these youngsters are trained in the world’s best institutes. They will contricute their knowledge back to India surely. Our greatest asset today is our young and talented work force. Leadership demands hardships. They will struggle initially but will succeed eventually as it is in their blood to accept the world as one family. So we should prepare them to assume leadership and ensure that they are not overcome by frustration”.
On the effects of Globalisation on India –
“Globalisation is inevitable. It cannot become counter productive to us. We have believed in globalization long before the world has thought about the phenomenon. We are not against any ‘ism’. We accept as they are. Our aim in not to make the world ‘one market’ but ‘one family’. In market you have competition and ill-will towards others. In a family you accept everyone as they are. Our concept of globalization is coming together in a peaceful way in a way of brothethood and not one against other. We do not think of taking away but give and share our values and become one”.
On the issue of dealing with jihadis –
“We have a culture of accepting a sinner like Angulimal. We have a culture of transforming a criminal to Maharishi Valmiki. We have a culture of seeing everyone as good human beings. We go to the root cause of the problem and explore why some human beings become bad. I2i nations have become victims of politics of world especially dominant five. They have shifted the war out of their countries to the i2i belt. The war against terrorism is one such clever move that has snow-balled the issue to this belt”.
On the role of UN –
“It is wrong to still give veto powers to just five. 30 million people have died after UN was formed. They have failed miserably in peace keeping, ensuring non-violence and establishing human rights. The Kashmir problem is their creation. They have failed most miserably when equality of nations is concerned”.
On issue of farmer suicides and lack of basic educational facilities in lakhs of villages –
“We have to first take care of problems before reaching to the world. There are 100 million tribals in 100,000 villages across the country that have no access to basic education. I am connected with the Ekal Movement. Ekal Movement has taken up this daunting task and we have reached 27000 villages today. That is just 1/3 of the total villages that we have to reach. It is a huge task but we are sure that we will achieve it soon.
We have to break digital divide by wireless technology. We have the glorious tradition of receiving the first lessons of education from our home but schools should be accessible to millions. It is here that digital education will help us immensely. The barrier of geography would be overcome by technology. The highly effective and time tested guru shishya parampara i.e. ‘one to one teaching’ can be easily adopted in this digital wireless technology and millions can be reached in the most cost effective way.
Human resources are our greatest asset but if they remain uneducated and unskilled they will also become our biggest liability”.
On environment –
“We need to tap solar energy and wind energy and make best use of them. We have to develop technology for recycling every form of waste and create wealth from it. Pollution is bad economics”.
In his final remarks Dr. Satish Modh commented that Dr. B. K. Modi was a 'rare and unique combination' of a successful global business leader with thorough spiritual outlook and having great faith in ahimsa – non-violence and karuna – compassion. He complimented Dr. Modi for handling the questions very well and for his clear views on so many diverse topics
Guest of Honour Shri Satish Aggarwal, CMD of Kisan Group of Companies could not make it for the function due to unavoidable circumstances.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Shri Vishal Chavda, Deputy Manager - Dept of Corporate Services BSE and managing committee member of VAK.
The programme was sponsored by M/s Kisan Group of Companies who have been sponsoring the event since 2007.
The main entrance, reception area and the auditorium were beautifully decorated with rangoli giving a colourful and festive look.
Ms Divya Sharda played the role of MC and conducted the proceedings effectively and efficiently by her superlative skills in communication.
The programme began with the Welcome Address of Shri Sanjay Kelapure, President of VAK who highlighted the objectives of the VAK. He also introduced the dignitaries on stage. He mentioned that VAK organises the U B Day every year to foster friendship and goodwill with various consulates and foreign nationals in Mumbai.. He concluded that VAK aspires to become a think-tank that will provide alternative viewpoint on international issues with India-centric focus.
Shri Sanjay Hegde Executive Partner - PWC India and founding Director of Sewa Sahayog Foundation, Mumbai presided over the function. He complimented VAK for organizing the event every year to foster friendship and harmony. Though it was a small step it is a significant one he added. He felt that though Universal Brotherhood cannot be implanted sitting in an air conditioned auditorium and speaking for a few hours on the topic, the act is like sowing a seed that will germinate, become a plant and eventually a big tree that will be seen only later. He strongly felt that the virus of goodness should spread more than the virus of those doing bad things. He recalled that civilizations and new thoughts have arisen in many parts of the world but only in Bharat (India) new thoughts, ideas and change have been always welcome without resistance. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family) is a great heritage that we have inherited which we need to cherish and also preserve he said. He also stressed the need for practicing and thus preserving our priceless traditions and values.
Chief Guest of the function, Mr. Alexey Redkin, Consul at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai in his short speech thanked VAK for conducting the function at the Cultural Centre of Russia. “Rakshabandhan, in fact, has a much broader perspective and a universal outlook. The festival encompasses true sense of peace, trust and brotherhood” he said. Russians and Indians are like brothers stressed the Consul. He concluded by saying “It is very appropriate that efforts like observing Universal Brotherhood Day will make an important contribution in creating better appreciation of peace, cooperation and harmony in the world, particularly among the increasingly influential and extremely talented younger generation.”
Ms Divya Sharda later gave details of the Paper Presentation Competition (PPC) which was held among students of Technology, Management and International Studies from 20 institutions of Mumbai on the topic ‘India in centre stage of emerging i2i nations’. She also gave brief profiles of the judges of the PPC – Shri Ajay Pandey, Shri K. Narassimhan and Shri Sandeep Singh.
Dr. B. K. Modi later distributed certificates and cash prizes to the winners of PPC.
Shri Sagar Shenvi, final year student from IIT who bagged the first prize presented the synopsis of his paper. He felt that in the last century a thunderstorm of technology has poured on the world that has left mankind shocked and perplexed instead of bringing happiness. There is serious search for human values and principles that bring happiness. The remarkable thing about Indian civilization is that there is an undercurrent of good and positive values that families have nurtured and passed on to generations. At a time when West has conquered Science and is longing for value systems that will ensure peace, India has the same from tradition and legacy he concluded.
The Keynote Address was given by Dr. B. K. Modi - a global visionary, peace ambassador and a multi-faceted personality. Dr Modi said that universal outlook was inborn in every Indian. “We are all brought up hearing the verses vasudhaiva kutumbakam. We all earnestly look forward to the day when the world will understand the meaning of these verses and start living like a family” he said.
He reminded the audience that in 1938 Shri Aurobindo had predicted that once in 175 years there is a cycle that brings India in centre stage and in a leadership position in the world. “The birth of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was the start of one such cycle that has commenced in 1836. In 1893 we have seen Swami Vivekananda proclaim the message of India to the world at the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago. The year 2011 will once again bring India to eminence and the world will be led by Indian thought” he said.
He recalled the events after the end of World War II in 1945 and dwelled on various issues that have had a profound influence on the world from then onwards.
“The UN was formed and 5 countries viz. USA, Russia, UK, France and China have become permanent members of the Security Council and since then dominated the global scene and influenced the world by various bodies of UN like IMF, World Bank etc.
Most of the countries in the i2i region (Israel to Indonesia) whereas attained freedom from colonies only after 1945. Unfortunately they have no role in decision making in the world today though they constitute the best talent in the world and have 37% of the population of the world living in this region.
300 years before now, India was a major force. Our greatest virtue has always been ‘freedom of thought’. Avtars also came from time to time to reiterate the importance of the freedom of thinking process. The geographical area from Israel to Indonesia is strongly influenced by India. There is cultural link and most of the countries in this i2i belt look to India for their progress and prosperity. India therefore has a great responsibility to lead these countries.
We have seen Industrial Revolution in the 50s and later Agriculture Revolution. We are now in an era of new revolution – Knowledge Revolution. Human mind is the centre of this revolution. This revolution is leading to unprecedented wealth creation. TCS has more value that all other companies of Tata group. It is wealth creation that drives nations to leadership positions.
The world population has also undergone a sea change. 2.5 billion of the world’s 6.5 billion live in the i2i belt that constitutes 37%. 43 % of the world’s young ignited minds under age 14 live in the i2i belt. They are the future of mankind. The most developed among the i2i nations is Singapore, but India is the largest supplier of young and talented work force for Singapore and also the world.
Today roughly 30 million young Indians are living outside India and are among the world’s richest talent force. In coming 10 years they are projected to grow to 80 million. They will naturally make a huge difference to world thinking. It is natural that India will slowly acquire the leadership of the world due to its talent force.
The world need not though worry about India acquiring the leadership role because unlike others who have resorted to violence, war and oppression to proclaim their leadership we will conquer by our message of peace, love and harmony. Non-violence and compassion are our mantra.
500 years ago India’s GDP was 50% of world GDP. Even though we possessed the best military talent of the world we did not invade any country by choice.
Vishwa Dharma Prasaar Yatra that touched 40 countries and 1 million people was aimed at taking the peace message of the great acharyas of Bharat to the whole world in the form of a global pilgrimage.
We are fortunate that we are born in India. We are more fortunate that we live close to year 2011 when India will attain glory by becoming global leader. We are most fortunate that the world is beginning to understand the message of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ i.e. living as one family.”
His speech was a perfect blend of optimism, information and hope.
The inspiring, interesting and informative Keynote Address was followed by a thrilling and entertaining Q/A session which was ably moderated by Dr. Satish Modh. Excerpts from the Q/A session:
On the frustration seen in youngsters of today -
“This should be our challenge but we need to find answers to this and guide our youngsters. We have to train them not only for India but for the world. We have to accept change with a welcome smile and mind. India is destined to send more and more youngsters outside. It is going to be hard but we can’t help it. We can’t take cover behind the old theory of ‘brain drain’. In fact it will be ‘brain gain’ when these youngsters are trained in the world’s best institutes. They will contricute their knowledge back to India surely. Our greatest asset today is our young and talented work force. Leadership demands hardships. They will struggle initially but will succeed eventually as it is in their blood to accept the world as one family. So we should prepare them to assume leadership and ensure that they are not overcome by frustration”.
On the effects of Globalisation on India –
“Globalisation is inevitable. It cannot become counter productive to us. We have believed in globalization long before the world has thought about the phenomenon. We are not against any ‘ism’. We accept as they are. Our aim in not to make the world ‘one market’ but ‘one family’. In market you have competition and ill-will towards others. In a family you accept everyone as they are. Our concept of globalization is coming together in a peaceful way in a way of brothethood and not one against other. We do not think of taking away but give and share our values and become one”.
On the issue of dealing with jihadis –
“We have a culture of accepting a sinner like Angulimal. We have a culture of transforming a criminal to Maharishi Valmiki. We have a culture of seeing everyone as good human beings. We go to the root cause of the problem and explore why some human beings become bad. I2i nations have become victims of politics of world especially dominant five. They have shifted the war out of their countries to the i2i belt. The war against terrorism is one such clever move that has snow-balled the issue to this belt”.
On the role of UN –
“It is wrong to still give veto powers to just five. 30 million people have died after UN was formed. They have failed miserably in peace keeping, ensuring non-violence and establishing human rights. The Kashmir problem is their creation. They have failed most miserably when equality of nations is concerned”.
On issue of farmer suicides and lack of basic educational facilities in lakhs of villages –
“We have to first take care of problems before reaching to the world. There are 100 million tribals in 100,000 villages across the country that have no access to basic education. I am connected with the Ekal Movement. Ekal Movement has taken up this daunting task and we have reached 27000 villages today. That is just 1/3 of the total villages that we have to reach. It is a huge task but we are sure that we will achieve it soon.
We have to break digital divide by wireless technology. We have the glorious tradition of receiving the first lessons of education from our home but schools should be accessible to millions. It is here that digital education will help us immensely. The barrier of geography would be overcome by technology. The highly effective and time tested guru shishya parampara i.e. ‘one to one teaching’ can be easily adopted in this digital wireless technology and millions can be reached in the most cost effective way.
Human resources are our greatest asset but if they remain uneducated and unskilled they will also become our biggest liability”.
On environment –
“We need to tap solar energy and wind energy and make best use of them. We have to develop technology for recycling every form of waste and create wealth from it. Pollution is bad economics”.
In his final remarks Dr. Satish Modh commented that Dr. B. K. Modi was a 'rare and unique combination' of a successful global business leader with thorough spiritual outlook and having great faith in ahimsa – non-violence and karuna – compassion. He complimented Dr. Modi for handling the questions very well and for his clear views on so many diverse topics
Guest of Honour Shri Satish Aggarwal, CMD of Kisan Group of Companies could not make it for the function due to unavoidable circumstances.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Shri Vishal Chavda, Deputy Manager - Dept of Corporate Services BSE and managing committee member of VAK.
The programme was sponsored by M/s Kisan Group of Companies who have been sponsoring the event since 2007.
