Ethics Moral Values By Dr T H Chowdary

Ethics & Moral Values By Dr T. H. Chowdary Director: Center for Telecom Management and Studies Chairman: Pragna Bharati (intellect India ) Former: Chairman & Managing Director Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited & Information Technology Advisor, Government of Andhra Pradesh T: +91(40) 6667 -1191(O) 2784 -3121® F: +91 (40) 6667 -1111 hanuman. chowdary@tcs. com

Satiated but not satisfied • Na Vittena tarpaneeyoh manushyah (Man is not satisfied by wealth) - Kathopanishad • “Man does not live by bread alone” -Mathew IV: 2: 4, The Bible • We have people satiated but not satisfied with all their wealth, comfort, luxury, prosperity, affluence an d opulence. • Where is the life we having lost in living Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge Where is the knowledge we have lost in information The cycles of heaven in twenty centuries Bring us further from God and nearer to the dust – TS Eliot • What is the reason? – Deficiency of ethics, morality, spirituality, humanism June 14

Ethics & Morality Ethics Morality Irrespective of Could depend upon religion • Religion • eg: Jihad, Conversion Violence, Slavery • Race and • Nationality • Human Beingness: Compassion, sense of justice, courtesy, mercy, patience, thoughtfulness, humility, reverence for life, sharing , caring , non- covetousness, non -jealously, non-hatred June 14

Humans are Social Beings • Part of family*, community*, society*, nation*, humanity* • Communicative, interactive , interdependent yet freedomloving. • No man island… • The severest punishment: Solitary confinement • These * can exist and prosper in peace and harmony only if Individuals have self=restraint and • Society nurtures imposes norms of conduct and punishes the deviants • Ethics & Morality govern individuals- Self –Regulation • Law & Order: External Regulation of Human Conduct June 14

Loka Sangraha – Preserving the Social (cosmic)Order • Why don’t people steal, lie, molest…? – Not because of law and punishment – But because of ethics & morality • Rita and Satya • Harischandra; King Bali • The Rishi in Penance – the hunter-king-the fleeing antelope • Krishna’s conduct in the Kurukshetra War • Kurukshetra Battle - slaughter • Hiroshima Nagasaki atom-bombed June 14

Divine Command or Self-culture The Ten Commandments The Bharatiya Culture 1. Do not have any other gods before me. Om Sahanaavavatu, sahanu bhunaktu Sahaveeryam Karavaavahaih Tejasvinaavadheetamastu Maa Vidvishaavahaih, Om! Shantih, shantih 2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Yo yo yam tanum bhaktah sraddhayaa architumichati; tasya, tasyaachalaam taameva vidathamyatam 3. You shall not bow down to them or worship Parasparam bhaavayantah sreya them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, paramavaapsyatha punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me June 14

Divine Command or Self-culture contd… The Ten Commandments The Bharatiya Culture 4. You shall not make wrongful use of the name Taih dattan apradaayetayah bhukti of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not stena eva sah acquit anyone who misuses his name 5. Honor your father and your mother, so that Dharmaa viruddho bhuteshu kaamo your days may be long in the land that the Lord -asmi… your God is giving you. 6. You shall not murder. Aatmaupanyena sarvatra samam pasyati Samo-ahm sarva, bhuteshu, mame dveshyo-asti, na priyah June 14

Divine Command or Self-culture contd… The Ten Commandments The Bharatiya Culture 7. You shall not commit adultery 8. You shall not steal. 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor June 14

CULTURE -(1) • Is the sum total of one’s being towards himself; family; society and God • To know something of everything and everything of something • Is obedience to unenforceable laws • A gentleman/lady is one who never inflict pain upon others • We must so live as to “add to the sum total of happiness” in the society/world June 14

Cultured Conduct • Modesty, Vinaya • Greeting, Poorvaabhashi. [Sumathi…. ] • Not done in public [sneezing, yawning, spitting, blowing, guffawing …. • Queuing • Not speaking on Cell-phone in lifts, waiting rooms, public places. (Smoking is injurious to public health; even passive smoking so is cell-phone talk in lifts, auditoria, Qs……) June 14

Endeavour and Unattachement • Uddhareth aatmanaa, naatmanamava sadayet! (one should uplift oneself up; not degenerte/ degrade oneself) • Yallabhase vittam tena vinodaya chittam (Entitlement, employment, entrepreneurship) • Competitive politics destroying values of work, thrift, sharing, caring and wealth creation - various “welfare” schemes June 14

Robinhood Socialism “You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. You cannot keep out trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them What they could do for themselves. ” - Abraham Lincoln (Source: Freedom First, May 1989) June 14

Unprincipled Politics w/o Principles Politics without principles Wealth without work Commerce without morality Knowledge without character Pleasure without conscience Science without humanity religion without sacrifice are sins verily - Mahatma Gandhi June 14

Qualities that Uplift Abhaya, Jnaana, Damah, Daya, Degrade Raaga, Asooya, Dwesha, Kaama, gambling, Swaadhyaayah, Aarjavam, Ahimsa, Satya, (yudhisthira), Hunting, drinking, Dambha, Akrodha, Tyaga, Saanti, Samathva, Darpa, covetousness, greed, Apaisunan, Hree ( modestry), Kshama accumulation, Indulgence (sex, attachment)…. June 14

Sins & Virtues Who determines what • Time, place &context • Bhisma in Santiparva The King, Ruler, leaders, the dominant minority of intellectuals… Eg: Adultery: stoning to death –Jesus • Paschattapa: Reparations: Germany of France, USSR, Israel (Dalits, Muslims) • In Gratitude- Macaulay & Indian Penal Code • Inequality& Excellence – can they co-exist • Competition and Equality - can they co-exist June 14

Sins & Virtues contd. . • Is Ahimsa always a virtue? What happens to Dharma, Loka Samgraha, collateral damage ( terrorism , aggression) • Hiroshima/Nagasaki ; * Iran/Iraq Vs Israel • Soft speech – non-hurting –Japanese never say “no” –Chinese- keep face –Arab – (especially the desert Arab) Partakes • Contrast: Duryodhana, Karna, Palestinian Hamas, Hizbullah, Iran’s Ahmedenejadi (denies holocaust) • Modesty: Immodesty –Kasturbhai Lalbhai –Duryodhana’s Schoba yatra June 14

Sins & Virtues contd. . • Power & Arrogance & Covetousness –Power & Morality-Pitirim Sorokin –Parricide, fratricide (Medieval Muslim rule in India) –Imperial fascist “democrats” – Stalin, Mao, Gandhiji, Hitler, Saddam Hussain; –The “secular” “social Justice” “inclusive growth” –wallahs –Power Corrupts – Absolute Power Corrupts –Absolutely June 14

Ethics & Morality in Public Life Corporate Businesses • Can gentlemen be in politics? • What do “socialism”, ‘secularism” , “democracy, manifesto, welfare, “minority”, “social justice”, backwardness” , “service to poor” • Human rights ( to terrorists, zihadis, rapists; “transparency” • “empowerment (before enlightenment) • A “poor” servant of the poor increasing wealth by Rs. 550 mln in one year • Another pretender to father’s eminence and service to the poor having a 20 times increase in income (declared) June 14

The Accidental Prime Minister • Scams Galore • 2 G, CWG, S-Band, Coal-mines, Missing Files • Saarapu dharmamun vimala satyamu - Maha Bharata What all is necessary for evil to triumph is good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke June 14

Values in Corporate Governance • • • OYT deposits for Telephone Tatkal passports & rail reservations Building & Layout Regularization Schemes Triple entry book-keeping Enron, Satyam. . How about Booking deposits for some cars? June 14

• Ethics & morality to be cultivated, ingrained from childhood • Exemplified by parent’s conduct • Learnt from the great literatures of the world – in India –The Upandishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatha, Bhatrihari; Katha Saritsagara, Neeti Satakas • Criticism/ self criticism – introspection • Cultivation of : Asteya, Aparigraha, Indriya Nigraha, work as a fulfillment of one-self; samatva (equanimity) • Remembering: Isaavaasyamidam Sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagat Tena tyakena bhujithaah Maa gridhah kasysuwiddhanam June 14

Quotable Quotes June 14

He that is first. . . “ In every field of human endeavour, he that is first must perpetually live in the white light of publicity. Whether the leadership be vested in a man or manufactured product, emulation or envy are ever at work. In art, in literature, in music, in industry, the reward and punishment are always the same. The reward is widespread recognition; the punishment, fierce denial and destruction. If the leader truly leads, he remains-the leader…That which is good or great makes itself known, no matter how loud the calmour or denial. That which deserves to live, lives. ” (from an advertisement of Cadillac motor car company on January 2 nd, 1915) June 14

Vision • One man with conviction is the majority • Life’s battles are often won not by those who are strong but by those who think they can. – Hannibal [30, 000 against 150, 000] – Churchill’s Battle of Britain June 14

Wealth accumulates …. Men decay…. Ill fares the land to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay, Prices and lords may flourish or fade, A breath can make them as a breath has made, But a bold peasantry, their country’s pride When once destroyed can never be supplied - Goldsmith in Deserted village. ‘I want an India where the peasants are not beguiled or intimidated into giving up their lands for Mr. Nehru to build castles in thin air through co-operative farming…” --Rajaji June 14

Bhagawadgita defines the good and moral on the one hand the evil and immoral on the other hand ( 16 th chapter) Abhayam satva samshuddhir Jnana yoga vyavasthitih Danam damascha yegnachya Swadhyaayastapa arjavam (fearlessness, purity of mind, wise apportionment of knowledge and concentration, charity, self-control and sacrifice, study of the scriptures, austerity and uprightness) June 14

Ahimsa satyam akrodhas Tyagah, santir apaisunam Daya bhuteshu aloluptam mardavam hrir achapalam [non –violence, truth , freedom from anger, renunciation, tranquility, aversion to fault finding, compassion to living beings, freedom from covetousness, genteelness, modesty and steadiness (absence of fickleness)] June 14

Tejah kshama dhrithi saucham Adroho naatimaanita Bhavanti sampadam daiveem Abhijatasya Bharatha (vigour, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, freedom from malice and excessive pride - these are the endowments of him who is born with the divine nature) June 14

Chintaam aparimeyamcha Pralayanthaam upasrithah Kamopabhoga paramaa Yetavat ithi nischitah ( obsessed with innumerable cares which would end only with death, looking upon the gratification of desire as their highest aim, assured that this is all) June 14

Aasaapaasa sathairbadthah Kama krodha parayanaah eehante kamobhogardham Anyayena ardha sanchayan ( bound by hundreds of ties of desire, given over to lust and anger, they strive to amass hoards of wealth by unjust means for the gratification of their desires) June 14

Idamadya mayalabdham Imam prapsye manoradham Idam asthi adamapime Bhavishyathi punardhanam [ this today had been gained by me, this desire I shall attain, this is mine and this wealth also shall be mine (in future)] June 14

Asau maya hatah satrur Hanishyecha aparan api Eeswaro aham, bhogi Siddho aham balavan sukhi ( this foes is slain by me and others also I shall slay. I am the lord, I am the enjoyer, I am successful mighty and happy) June 14

Aadhyo abhijanavan asmi Ko anyo asti sadruso maya Yekshye, dasyami, modishya Ithi agnana vimohitaah (I am rich and well born. Who is there like unto me ? I shall sacrifice, I shall give , I shall rejoice. Thus they are deluded by ignorance) June 14

Lives of great men all remind us we may make our lives sublime and departing leave behind us foot prints on the sands of time - Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth Time for Everything Take time for work- It is the price of success. Take time to think- It is the source of power. Take time to play- It is the secret of youth. Take time to read- It is the foundation of wisdom. Take time to be friendly- It is the road to happiness. Take time to dream- It is hitching your wagon to a star. Take time to love and beloved-It is the privilege of the gods. Take time to look around- It is too short a day to be selfish. Take time to laugh- It is the music of the soul. -Irish Prayer June 14

Character of a Happy Life How happy is he born and taught That serveth not another’s will; Whose armour is honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill; Whose passions not his masters are; Whose soul is still prepared for death, Untied unto the world by care Of public fame or private breath; Who envies none that chance doth raise Nor vice; who never understood How deepest wounds are given by praise; Nor rules of state, but rules of good; June 14

Character of a Happy Life contd. Who hath his life from rumours freed; Whose conscience is his strong retreat; Whose state can neither flatterers feed, Nor ruin make oppressors great; Who God doth late and early prayMore of his grace than gifts to lend And entertains the harmless day With a religious book or friend This man is freed from servile bands Of hope to rise or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And having nothing, yet hath all. -Sir Henry Wotton June 14

Not gold but only men can make A great nation and strong Men who for truth and honour’s sake Stand fast and suffer long, Brave men who work while others sleep, who dare while others fly, They build a nation’s pillars deep ad lift them to the sky. Life’s battles do not always go To the strongest or fastest mean Soon or late the man who wins Is the who thinks he can Then welcome each rebuff That turns earth’s smoothness vough Each sting that bids not sit nor stand, but go! -Robert Browning June 14

All things are possible to him who believes; still more to him who hopes; still more to him who loves, most of all to him who practices these three virtues and perseveres theme - Bhavan’s Journal Nov 16, 1984 A true friend unbosoms freely; advises justly , assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously and continues a friend unchangeably - William Penn Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay - Goldsmith Knowledge: Yaksha Prasna June 14

Politics without principles Wealth without work Commerce without morality Knowledge without character Pleasure without conscience Science without humanity religion without sacrifice are sins verily -Mahatma Gandhi June 14

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? – Mathew XVI – 26 (Bible New Testament) The responsibility of the master is not merely to bequeath a store of knowledge to his pupils but to instill in them a thirst for truth and inspiration and drill them in proper methods of research. God give us men, a time like this demands Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands Men whom the lust of office does not kill Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy Men who possess opinions and a will Men who love honour, Men who cannot lie -J. G. Holland June 14

Don’t keep forever on the public road, going only where other have gone. Leave the beaten path occasionally and dive into the woods. You will be certain to find something you have never seen before. It will be a little thing but do not ignore it. Follow it up; explore around it, one discovery will lead to another and before you know it, you will have something really worth thinking about - Alexander Graham Bell As long as India is over governed; it will continue to be underdeveloped. – Rajaji June 14

“You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money. You cannot keep out trouble by spending more than you earn. You cannot build character and courage by taking away man’s initiative and independence. You cannot help men permanently by doing for them What they could do for themselves. ” - Abraham Lincoln (Source: Freedom First, May 1989) June 14

Public sector Undertakings Academicians have attributed several traditional strengths to the public sector. They primarily are: -ability to survive without profit -state-ownership gives than immortality -wages and high bonuses can be paid over by continuously incurring losses -government ownership gives full benefit of a monopoly -Vasant Sathe, Restructuring of Public Sector in India Growing Old? You never grow old if you have a goal and purpose to achieve. You never grow old if you have the power to dream and to believe. –Anonymous June 14

After a study of some forty years and more of the great religions of the world, I find none so perfect none so scientific none so philosophical and none so spiritual than the great religion known by the name of Hinduism. Make no mistake, without Hinduism, India has no future. Hinduism is the soil into which India’s roots are stuck and torn out of that she will inevitably wither as a tree torn out from its place. And if Hindus do not maintain Hinduism, who shall save it? If India’s own children do not cling to her faith, who shall guard it? India alone can save India and Hinduism are one. - Annie Besant June 14

Tolerance : I am in the right. You are in the wrong. When you are stronger, you ought to tolerate me for it is your duty to tolerate the truth. but when I am stronger, I shall persecute you for this is my duty to persecute errors. - St. Augustine. The most venerated Christian scholar and propagandist for Christianity. “Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. ” - UNESCO Constitution. “when you came , we had the land you had the Bible. Now, we have the Bible and you have the land -Bishop Tutu to S. A’s Xtian June 14

St Augustine, one of the gentlest of Christian divines put it well: “I am in the right, you are in the wrong. When you are stronger, you ought to tolerate me for it is your duty to tolerate the truth. But when I am stronger, I shall persecute you, for it is my duty to persecute errors”. - Religion, Rajaji and his Social Philosophy by R Srinivasan (source: Freedom First No. 464, Jan-March 2005 Page 43) I should stop Proselytising: The Harijan dated May 11, 1935, published an interview given by Gandhiji to a missionary nurse before that date. The nurse asked him, “would you prevent missionaries coming to India in order to baptise? Gandhiji replied, “If I had power and could legislate, I should certainly stop all Proselytising. June 14

Queuing to be Backward “ it is to be noted that nowhere else in the world do castes, classes or communities queue up for the sake of gaining backward status” -observation by a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India while staying 27% OBC reservations in Central Educational Institutions Technology: Force of Light or Darkness Many of the best engineers had a strong sense of the deeper philosophical issues of right and wrong and of good and evil. Technology, in and of itself , could be a force of light or darkness. (From: “A Google Story” by David A. Vise and Mark Malseed -page 178) June 14

Do you suppose that I came to give peace 51 “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 “For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three 53: “Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother. -Ch 12: Gospel According to Luke in the New testament of Bible June 14

Congress: A Fascist Organisation? The Congress……. . what is it but a fascist organisation? Gandhi is the dictator like Stalin…. what Gandhi says they accept and even the working Committee follows him; then it goes to the All India Congress Committee which adopts it, and then the Congress. There is no scope for any difference of opinion. -Sri Aurobindo, India’s Rebirth, P. 213 June 14

Bharat Mahan We owe a lot to Indians, who taught us how to count, w/o which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made”. . . I have made the Gita as the main source of my inspiration and guide for the purpose of scientific investigation and formation of my theories. - Dr. Albert Einstein P 3, Aakaaraadhyaksha: Suptd of Mines June 14

No feeling proud of Indianness “. . I find myself dealing with Indians, many of whom do not feel proud of their Indianness. Indians are recognised throughout America as technically superior. Since the day Indians learn pride, India will rapidly move out of its, third world status to become one of the world's industrial powers. - Adam Osborne, co-founder of ( along with Steve Job ) Instead of greed, how about generosity Instead of envy, try a little charity Instead of pride, show some humility Instead of wrath, let us see composure - Lee Iacocca June 14

* Encourage general reading, writing & declamation Reading maketh a full man Writing maketh a precise man Speaking maketh a ready man - Sir Francis Bacon Alliteration, Pun Freedom without Supportive Strength Freedom without the strength to support it and, if need be, defend it, would be a cruel delusion. And the strength to defend freedom can itself only come from widespread industrialization and the infusion of modern science and technology into the country’s economic life. - Jamsetji Tata The Book, Where have all the Leaders gone? June 14

DHANYAWAD THANK YOU June 14