Dr. Ashok Bapna
L.N. Nathuramka
Shri Nathuramka, an eminent economist, opined that using ethics, ahimsa and spirituality as synonyms was not warranted. Ethics is swadharma, what is right and what is wrong, and what is sacred and what is profane. The distinction between right and wrong is the part, which is played by ethics and even religion. But, spirituality is much higher than that. In ethics one is concerned about trigunas- satvgun, rajasgun and tamasgun. Satvagun leads one towards ethics.
Ahimsa comes under spirituaized ethics, which is trigunateet (beyond the trigunas) according to Arvinda. When you enter the divine souls, then only there is a question of ahimsa. He exemplified his presentation with elaborate examples of ethics in politics, ethics in foreign policy and ethics in daily life, that is, work ethics. Elaborating on work ethos, he referred to China. People work very hard and have excellent work ethos. Discussing judicial work ethos, he said that a lawyer should not accept and fight the case of a noted gangster or don because by doing so he is striving for his survival which is detrimental to the interests of many right minded people. But, unfortunately we find instances of these kinds in our country. This is a negation of the judicial ethics.
Similarly, one country must not attack another country because the second country may not be upto the liking and expectations of the first country. Take the American case in Iraq. Now America is very much in trouble because it can neither leave Iraq nor stay there as it was an unethical and wrong foreign policy decision on the part of the American President.
Finally, he proclaimed that we all are very fortunate to have a divine intervention in the form of the persona of Acharya Mahapragyaji. Today, the world is too overwhelmed by China and is drawing lessons from that country. But, nonetheless, India has a brilliant spark, the idea of Non-violence and tomorrow this country of snake charmers and elephants will be on the forefront and surpass other nations in economical, spiritual and ethical terms.
Shri Nathuramka said he was an ardent supporter of globalization and expected high economic growth rates to the extent of 10% for India, but we should not give up our ethical moorings, which alone can bring real happiness and prosperity for mankind. There should be a convergence of 4 Es; Efficiency, Equity, Environment and Ethics for a sustainable world.