Indian ethics and the spirit of development Foundations

Indian ethics and the spirit of development: Foundations of the Indian model

• Indian Ethics also referred to as Indian Ethos is at heart of the Indian Model of development. • It is in sharp contrast to the western model of ‘Protestant Ethics and Spirit of Capitalism’, that is rooted in extreme individualism and has resulted in emergence of mal-developed societies. Hence, the need for a correction. • Indian ethics model with its emphasis on holistic development provides us a new model for future development of society, in which ‘spirit of capital’ is not neglected but is driven by dharma or the ethics

Eternal Human Values Individual Society organization Annamaya Pranamaya Manomaya Vijanmaya ananadmaya Dharma Arth Kam moksha Tamas Rajas Satva : Panchkoshas Four Purusharthas Three Gunas Physical Psychological Mentological Intellectual Spiritual Ethical Material Sensual Spiritual Self-interest Enlightened self interest Enlightened collective interest Individual Society Organization Holistic Development and Management

Indian Ethos and Indianity The expression, Indian ethos has different meaning for different persons. Hence, defining Indian ethos has been a difficult proposition. It is essential for us to understand the essence of the Indian ethos which provide the basis for functioning of the social systems, organizations and individual selfdevelopment. Basically Indian ethos can be defined as a sum total of the Indian traditions and modifications and enrichment in traditions to suit the requirement of changing times. The following could be considered as core ideas of the Indian ethos. • Unity in diversity • Integrative Synthesis • Confluencism • World as a family • Humans as Spiritual being

Towards an Indian model of Corporate development • Idea # 1: Human welfare or the Loksangraha • Sarva bhavantu sukhina, sarve shantu nirmaya • Idea # 2: Unattached action or the Nishkam karma • Dettached action without longing for the immediate result • Idea # 3 : Ethical profits or the Shubh Labh • Wealth generation though ethical means • Idea # 4 : Self development : Divinity in Human Beings • Every soul is potentially divine • Idea # 5 : Work as Worship When work is treated as worship it leads to excellence in task performance • Idea # 6 : The concept of family, Kutumbh • Entire world is one family • Idea # 7 : Avoidance of Extremes • It implies balancing and steering through the middle or alternative approaches to the extreme solutions