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Sunday Guardian’s Vijay Grover caught up with Sri Sri Ravishankar for an exclusive interview to understand his opinion on why the NRI’s need to stay connected with the motherland.
Q : As the NRI’s congregate in Bengaluru, what is your message to them?
A. Non-resident Indians have contributed a lot to the world. Wherever they have gone they have been very useful to the country that they have lived in. Coming back on this Bharatiya Pravasi Divas they will reconnect with their roots, enrich themselves with their own culture and go back to do a better job in the country they reside in. Though you are excelling and benefiting in the country that you are settled in, you must remember that you have a lot to take back from India and further contribute, not just financially, intellectually and economically but also socially and spiritually.
Q : You have advocated Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam for decades, how important is it to connect with the motherland and work for its welfare?
A. It is definitely important. The whole world is our family, yet your mother tongue, your language, your culture and your dharma needs to be revisited and enriched to help people who are in need of it. We are heartened when we see so many Non Resident Indians who have spent a life-time abroad come to India and support the causes for development of India. This is the true essence of Life.
Q : Many NRI’s and PIO’s have started connecting with India like never before . There is this growing bond and the pride of Indian values and ethos is growing. How do these enhance quality of life?
A. When a person feels good about oneself then he is able to contribute better to society. In India there has been a deep lack of self esteem in many communities and it is necessary to feel the self-esteem in order to be useful for the society that you are in. Many off-springs of NRI’s have little knowledge of our motherland. These kind of meets encourage them to come to India , interact and feel the pulse of the country. Many of them get pleasantly surprised seeing our heritage and development.
Q : You have worked relentlessly for Global Peace – given the kind of developing scenarios especially in the Middle East, what do you expect the Indian communities across the world to do?
A. Rich in Vedic wisdom, India carries the message of non-violence and peace. Lord Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi, Mahavira, many saints and leaders have been espousing non-violence and peace and these are the things that you can take back to the country that you are in. Wherever you are in the world, whether it is America, the Middle East or Africa you can contribute by participating in and promoting yoga, meditation, vegetarianism and the principle of non violence.
When a person feels good about oneself then he is able to contribute better to society. In India there has been a deep lack of self esteem in many communities
Q : Your efforts to promote Yoga and Ayurveda have been acknowledged by the Govt. of India. What more can be done to take it forward?
A. Many countries have still not acknowledged or accepted Ayurveda as a system of medicine, whereas Chinese medicine has been accepted in most parts of the world. NRI’s as a delegation should go and meet the Ministers of Health and tell them we should not deprive the people of this wisdom and ancient science. For a fraction of the cost of allopathy, Ayurvedic medicine can bring good health,
treating and curing them without strong side effects. There is a dire need for Ayurveda to be represented and recognised by governments as a system of medicine and made available to the local population. Sadly many parts of the world today are deprived of the goodness of Ayurveda.