Acharya Tulsi
Today's man is living in the atomic age and dreaming of the space age. Hitherto, he has fully exploited all the energy sources of the earth, and now he seems intent upon exploiting space. But over the years his mentality has not undergone much change. He is still carrying today the burden of out-dated values that blunt individual and social consciousness, still living in traditions that have lost all significance, like a cast-off skin, and which impede his progress. He seems to be standing in a wilderness out of which he cannot find a clear part to reach his destination. But if he can awaken in himself the resolve to confront all the wrong values being currently nourished on earth, a moment may arise which would create such terrific unrest and light within him a torch which would bathe him in transcendent light, washing away all the impurities of thought.
The crisis of values is not confined to any one province, city, class or society; it involves the whole of the human race. How can it then be otherwise with women? The greatest tragedy for women in this age is that their existence and individuality does not find an easy and natural recognition at the hands of society. Instead of utilizing a woman’s abilities, her deficiencies are emphasized. Attempts are made to weaken her self-confidence. Although the point-of-view of all people is not the same, still an opinion which is constantly reiterated becomes a part of the public consciousness. It is, therefore, necessary to bring about a change in the common man's way of thinking and seeing.
The present is the time, when it is no longer necessary to help a woman become conscious of her womanhood; instead, what is lacking in her individuality needs to be made up. For this she will have to improve the beauty of her character, increase her self-confidence, realise the necessity of self—sufficiency, create a new environment for her thought and expression, awaken her feeling of self—respect, develop her humility, control her acquisitiveness through the practice of non—attachment, rise above exhibitionism, become introverted, developed pliability and assimilate the qualities of toleration, gentleness and courtesy.
The development of women is cherished by all, because they constitute the basic foundation for the progress of all mankind. For this, the women must abandon negative thinking and adopt a constructive point—of-view. They must free themselves from all kinds of depression and come to recognise their latent power. By doing so, any woman can develop a distinct personality of her own use her talents in the interest of society, country and humanity.
