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Gandhi Ji and Religion

Sir,

Gandhi Ji was one of the few persons who was religious in the true sense of the word (Gandhi's teachings on religion DE Jan 30). There are two sets of people one are religion knowing people who have elementary knowledge about religion and nothing beyond. The others are religious people who know religion well and transform themselves with its universal teachings. Religion knowing people talk about religion from their throat while religious people talk their heart.

The word religion has acquired a bit of negativity in our country because of our description of the word secularism. So much so that people now even talk about spirituality bye passing religion. But can one be spiritual without being religious. It is not possible for majority of us who have to move up to spirituality through their religion otherwise they would not get a true idea of what spiritualism means. A few of us may be lucky enough to understand spirituality directly. After all when you talk about God or a scripture you are inclined towards religion and not spirituality. God and scripture have to find a place in our definition of religion. This is unavoidable. When people do not understand religion in correct perspective, they fell hesitant to talk about it. They prefer to adopt Dharma Nirpeksha rather than to believe in Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava.

The former indicates passivity while the later means active involvement in religious teachings.

Gandhi Ji was of the views that no one can be perfect in morality unless he acquires religious knowledge. For him religion to morality was the same as water was to the seeds. Gandhi Ji also understood the Gita to its core. He worked for the betterment of the country while remaining inclined towards religion. This is the true Gita spirit which is given by Lord Krishna in the 7th verse of chapter eight which reads "Remember me at all times and fight". Gandhi Ji never boasted about his thorough understanding of various religions of the world. He never called himself a God realised soul. He said that with every day's experience of religion, he was moving closer to God. This is the hall mark of those who have gone beyond little knowledge which makes one proud of oneself. As knowledge expands one becomes more and more humble like Gandhi Ji.

Yours etc....
Lt Col R K Langar
Shastri Nagar.
Jammu.

No electricity on R Day

Sir,

This is in reference to the non-availability of electricity on Republic Day eve and on Republic Day itself, due to which we could not watch the Republic Day Parade, telecast from New Delhi.

Is this the punishment given to the people living in Jammu and Kashmir? They don't even have this much of right to watch the yearly awaited programme by sitting at their homes? This is our request to the Government to please atleast give electricity on these days so that we could also, like the other citizens of India, watch such programmes on our television sets.

Yours etc...
Suvidha Khanna
B.Com. (Final Year)

Sanskrit in schools

Sir,

I wish to draw the urgent attention of the authorities concerned at the State as well as Central level towards the callous and gross neglect of Sanskrit, the genuine mother of all the languages of the world. There is no denying the fact that literature composed in Sanskrit by the selfless ascetics Rishis and munis of the Vedic era is not only replete with religious teachings, guidance for self realisation, attainment of salvation but it also acts as a beacon light for the advanced research in the field of science, medical education, any many other important segments of human life. It also holds the key to learning the art of living a healthy, meaningful and truly purposeful life.

But under the garb of ultra modernity and blindly under the spell of western culture the study of Sanskrit has been put on the back burner and made to act as a scapegoat for the promotion of modern western languages which make the people literate and not educated.

A recent survey conducted at schools, college and university level conspicuously reveals that still there are students from the established Indian families not exposed to obscene ultra modernity who are willing to pursue the study of Sanskrit but they do not find teachers to teach them at school, college and university levels. Needless to mention here our State is having a sufficient number of graduates and post graduates in Sanskrit but the concerned authorities do not exhibit any concern to appoint them as Sanskrit teachers, lecturers. It is vehemently requested to the people at helm of affairs to please give Sanskrit a coveted slot of honour. Please conduct a survey to find out the school/colleges without Sanskrit teachers and advertise the vacancies so that deserving Sanskrit post graduates may be able to impart education in Sanskrit.

Yours etc...
P C Sharma
Trikuta Nagar,
Jammu.