Towards Dharma

“A man without a dream and a nation without a vision shall perish.” This is a Jewish proverb that has great relevance to India today. Independent India does not have a vision that can include and inspire all her citizens. At the same time, there are many divisive visions and destructive tendencies that are raising their heads in India today. Political parties, religious communities, and caste-based organisations are promoting their own visions and agendas. This tendency is threatening the unity and integrity of our country. As a result, the nation is faced with the grave danger of disintegration. Divisive visions can be challenged and overcome only by inclusive visions. “He drew a small circle and kept me out'; I drew a large circle and brought him in” is a Chinese saying that has much practical wisdom in it. Also, our inclusive vision f a great new India needs to have its' roots deep in our own noble cultural traditions and spiritual values. Just as a large tree has to have its roots deep in the soil where it is planted, a great new India also needs to have its roots deep in its own cultural traditions and spiritual values. The concept of 'Dharma' is India's greatest contribution to human thought. Dharma comes from the Sanskrit word 'dhr' which means to hold together, to integrate, to unite. Dharma is that which holds together, that which integrates, that which unites. Dharma promotes unity and harmony in the world and in our own lives. Love is the basis of this unity, and peace is its fruit. Hence, Dharma is an integral concept meaning love unity-peace. Dharma Bharathi means a Mother India of love, unity and peace. Dharma Bharathi will be an India of inter-religious harmony with an 'Islamic body' of prayerfulness and fellowship, with a 'Hindu-Bhai mind' of universal vision and unity in diversity, with a Sikh - Buddhist - Jain heart' of courage, compassion and non-violence, with a 'Parsi intellect of ingenuity and enterprise, with a Christian spirit' of forgiveness and self-sacrificing love."