Indira Gandhis Question
By Karmayogi
Fritjof Capra is a professor of physics who has written extensively on the new
approach called for in science. Indira Gandhi met him for fifty minutes, gave a
patient hearing and asked him if he had any ideas for her to introduce modern
technology without India losing her culture. He advised her to create a council
as in USA that would advise her on the subject. Such a council with a strong
sense of traditional culture, he said, would allow her to assess her options
and her risks. It was an administrative suggestion.
Prof. Capra thinks of science not from the traditional or classical viewpoint.
His effort has been to integrate Eastern mysticism with Western science. He
says he wishes to broaden the base of science and for that purpose he looks to
Tao, Buddha, and Vedanta for inspiration. Indian scientists who have deep roots
in spirituality are eminently fit to initiate such an inquiry. Indiras concern
was limited to culture. She saw the value of technology as well as culture. She
explained to Capra that she had seen the loss of Indian culture when technology
entered the life of people. This patriotic question is of interest to me
because the one destroys or at least dilutes the other. Can we have the benefit
of both?
My answer is that by national leadership in the field of Spirituality we can
have both, not in the same form, but with appropriate modification. The real
danger here is the temptation to choose the one or the other. That way we will
become Westernised. Already the country is 30 % Westernised. Westernisation
will certainly destroy our culture as well as our spirituality. We accepted
Western education, even after gaining Freedom, in its original form without any
major effort to modify it to our conditions. Education is welcome, as
technology is certainly welcome. It does not mean we should change our mind-set
to theirs. Man is superior to technology. Man should USE technology for his
work. He should not allow himself to be ruled by technology. Often people who
have a lot of money are possessed by wealth. India should welcome technology
and introduce it at all levels of life, as Indians would do, so that the basic
cultural values of Indian life are preserved. Mind must be open to new
developments and life should be flexible to enjoy new developments on the basis
of old cultural as well as SPIRITUAL values.