Spiritualism solution for corruption: Pejawar Seer at Youth Convention

Mangalore, December 22: The best way to combat corruption is through spiritualism and nationalism, said Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt.

He was speaking after inaugurating the All Karnataka State Youth Convention as part of Swami Vivekananda's 150th birth anniversary celebrations organized by Ramakrishna Mission, Mangalore, at Sangha Niketan in the city on Saturday.

Corruption is one of the biggest diseases the country is up against and the best way to combat it is by developing spiritualism and a sense of nationalism in oneself, the Pejawar Shree said. Stating that age is not a criterion to determine one's contribution to the nation, the Swamiji cited Swami Vivekananda's example and urged the youth to uphold his nationalist values which favoured a corruption free nation and society.

'Legitimate wealth'

Justice N Santhosh Hegde, former judge of the Supreme Court of India and former Karnataka Lokayukta, in his address said that there is a need for today's youth to implement teachings of Swami Vivekananda in their lives as the world is getting more and more materialistic resulting in increasing greed causing problems in the society. “Divinity is a bundle of values one has to follow in everyday life. Change in the society cannot be brought about overnight. My way of bringing a change is through interaction with youth, telling them the true meaning of contentment in life. I have visited more than 520 educational institutions in the last 6 years telling them that there is nothing wrong in accumulating wealth as long as it is accumulated legitimately”, he said.

Advising students present in the gathering to make sure that they don't fall prey to the 'greed over need disease', Justice Hegde said that increase in greed of people and those in administrative circles in particular, has denied the needy in the society the benefits they ought to receive.

“Society as a whole needs to change its thinking. People consider a man successful only if he has power and money. A man without money contributing to the society is looked at as just another person. This mindset needs to change”, he said.

Dr. N Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University, Swami Jitakamanadaji, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Mutt, Mangalore, Srimat Swami Vishwatmanandaji Maharaj, Coordinator, Swami Vivekananda's 150th Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee, Belur Mutt, Howrah, were present among others.