violence. It is no use pledging ourselves to the progress and prosperity of India if we cannot protect our national assets from wanton destruction and vandalism.  It is no use declaring our commitment to India’s security and integrity if we do not employ our entire resources to maintain normal functioning of the public services. Institutions, offices and courts, normal manufacture, commerce and trade, nay, the entire normal flow of life, if we do not join hands in destroying the forces of disintegration which disturb public peace and order, if we do not assist in keeping our armed forces free to maintain their vigil on our threatened borders, if we do not lend a hand in the suppression of every anti-social and anti-national elements, which is working to the determinant of our integrity, freedom and progress and finally, if we cannot sacrifice our individual, political, sectarian, castes’, regional and lingual interests for the greater good of India.

IN FORMING BHARAT VIKAS PARISHAD, we have dreamed of a glorious future for our people and our  country, and pledged ourselves to work relentlessly and make sacrifice, if necessary, for the fulfillments of our golden dream.     (Niti; October, 1990)

THE BANE OF UNPUNCTUALITY
Bharat Vikas Parishad has attached great significance to punctuality, because punctuality is the expressive symbol of intrinsic culture, self-discipline and high sense of responsibility, which should be hallmarks of every one who wants to be counted among the elite.  Bharat Vikas Parishad being the most elitist of all socio-cultural organizations is expected to take the lead in observing discipline and punctuality not only in our organizational work but also in our own private life.  It is most disappointing and painful to come across instances of gross unpunctuality on almost every occasion in every part of the country, which shows that during all these years of our close association with Bharat Vikas Parishad, the majority of our members have failed to imbibe this quality and make it a habit of life.  To the masses who are growing increasingly indifferent to punctuality, we in the Parishad owe a duty to teach it by our own example.   We expect others to be punctual but rarely try to be punctual ourselves.  It is disgraceful that sometimes even the secretary or convener of a function does not reach the venue in time.  Guests, including the chief guests, have to waste much time waiting till organizers have hastily put up the dais and made other arrangements.  This gives a poor impression of the Parishad and often repels a few prospective members, who could truly be an assets to us.  Members of the Parishad, in general, and every office-bearer and member of the executive, in particular, are duty bound to observe strict punctuality in Parishad functions.  Office bearers and those responsible for organizing the function must reach well in advance and ensure that all arrangements are completed well before the given time and before the guests start arriving. (Niti; August, 1990)

 “SARVANGIN VIKAS”
BHARAT VIKAS PARISHAD IS COMMITTED TO THE ‘SARVANGIN VIKAS’ of the country – Vikas in the widest sense, which includes progress and prosperity, and these are indivisible from peace.  Instability is the enemy of peace.  Nothing can be achieved when conditions are disturbed and a sense of insecurity prevails.  Bharat Vikas Parishad has, therefore, a vested interest in the maintenance of public peace, order and the normal functioning, of the services, business, commerce, industry, agriculture, courts and educational institutions.  It cannot give its blessing to any agitation or activity aimed at disrupting the normal functioning of life in any part of the country, because it retards growth.  For this reason, we are opposed to terrorism and militancy, which weaken the nation.  When the armed forces, instead of keeping a constant vigil against intrusion and invasion, have to be diverted to suppress violent or peaceful agitations, the security of the nation is jeopardized. At a time when the country is faced with external aggression and internal disruption and dismemberment, when our entire attention should be devoted to the preservation of our unity and integrity, it is the duty of every patriotic Indian to desist from involving the country in controversies and violence over issues, which are in no way vital for the country’s well-being and which could wait for peaceful decision in due course of time. (Niti; November,1990)       

VIKAS IS OUR SOLE AIM
The sole aim of the entire activity in the Parishad is the acceleration of the pace of advancement of the country.  Every other aim is secondary and could be ignored in order to concentrate our energies and resources on the achievement of the vital objective.  The Parishad machinery should also be geared to this end.  The first rational step would be to identify the causes of our backwardness and the factors responsible for holding up progress.  The next step should be the allocation of priorities to tackle the problems of VIKAS in the order in which  they should be tackled keeping in mind our own infrastructural and financial resources.  It must again be remembered that our resources are extremely limited and must not be frittered away on things which do not even touch the fringe of the problem of VIKAS.  The sole test of the usefulness and effectiveness of our programmes is the extent to which these programmes would carry the country forward to the goal of VIKAS.

DISCIPLINE
DISCIPLINE is the cornerstone of every organization.  The Parishad will prosper only so long it is based on the firm principles of discipline, selfless service and sacrifice.  Every exponent of selfless service and sacrifice has to discipline himself first and subordinate his own self and ego to the larger organization through which he has pledged himself to serve the country and the people.  If anyone mistakenly believes that he is above the organization and he need not take direction from above is a misfit in the organization, whose presence is likely to cause more harm than good, even if he may be otherwise, sincere and dynamic.  In the three tier organizational set up of the Parishad, the guidance, supervision and monitoring of branch activities is entirely the responsibility of the State Executive and there can be no questioning the state’s authority and discretion in any matter pertaining to the branches under its control.  There can be no alibi for noncompliance of the State directive and indiscipline will not be tolerated at any cost. (Niti; April, 1990)

SERVICE WITHOUT FANFARE
More service than publicity is the watchword of Bharat Vikas Parishad.   Publicity of Parishad’s activities is necessary, but it has to be watched that self-publicity is not carried on in the guise of Parishad’s publicity.  The path the Parishad has undertaken to tread is hard to follow.  It requires tremendous discipline, self-control and sacrifice, as well as the development of a missionary spirit, which alone can bring about a change in the people’s thinking, and revive their ‘sanskars’ and their faith in the ancient values of our motherland.  We have to mould ourselves, our ideas and actions so that we are able to rise above narrow-mindedness and work devotedly for the unity, integrity and freedom of our country, and ethical values, broadmindedness and liberalism are predominant in everything we do.  Constant awareness of the ideals, aims and objects alone can guarantee the success of our mission.

 If our urge for public service is so easily satisfied by cheap and superficial service, the very purpose of Bharat Vikas Parishad will be defeated and it will not be any different from the Lions and Rotary.  It was never the intention of the founders of the Parishad to make it a carbon copy of these clubs.  To justify its existence, the Parishad must provide such avenues of genuine service which normally are not available to members of these clubs.  It is because of the special avenues of service which the Parishad offers that a large number of Rotarians and Lions of high standing in their respective clubs have been attracted to the Parishad.  It is our duty to see that they are not disappointed and they are able to find what they have come to seek.  Bharat Vikas Parishad should not be allowed to degenerate into an ordinary club and its identity and purity should be preserved at any cost.  (Niti; July, 1989)             

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION
A great deal has been written and said at different fora on the place of women in the present Indian society and their role in the ‘Vikas’ of the country.   The aim of this exercise has been mainly to focus attention on the importance of women as catalysts of social change, creating an awareness and awakening among our women, encouraging them to shed their traditional inhibitions, so that they may come forward and take their place in the front rank with those who have dedicated themselves to transform society in the light of the ideals, aims and objects of Bharat Vikas Parishad.

Talking of women’s participation, we need to be reminded that membership of the Parishad is extended to the couple, and not merely to an individual.  Even though membership may be in the name of a man, the wife is an equal member and should be encouraged to take her place by her husband’s side in every activity of the Parishad.  Among other committees, a Mahila samiti is also formed to execute the policies and programmes at local level, but the formation of a Mahila Wing as a parallel body is unthinkable, as it is repugnant to the very concept of joint membership, which is a unique feature of Bharat Vikas Parishad.  Mahila Wings with their paraphernalia of separate president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer etc.  have no place in our organization.  The Mahila Samiti with its convener should work as an integral part of the branch under the supervision and control of the executive body.  However, more and more women should be inducted into the executive and encouraged to hold important and sensitive offices like president, secretary and treasurer, which should not remain the exclusive preserve of men. (Niti; November, 1989)         

NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMES: TREE PLANTATION
Bharat Vikas Parishad as its very title signifies, is dedicated to the comprehensive all round development of the country, and it is expected of our branches to concentrate their efforts on such programmes which are likely to promote the progress and prosperity of the country.  But a look at the reports of the programmes taken up by the branches in general reveals that very little is actually done which could qualify as genuine constructive activity.  Most of the programmes on which bulk of the time and money is spent, are of a very superficial nature, which can in no way improve the quality of people’s life.

In my article in July issue of Niti I have tried to underline the basic difference between the types of programmes preferred by other clubs and type of activities we in Bharat Vikas Parishad should undertake.  I am sure, the message has gone home, and members in general and office-bearers, in particular, will in future ensure that there is no deviation from our avowed objectives.  It has been suggested to me that I should on a regular basis set some guidelines and recommend specific programmes which should be given high priority by all of us.  Some programmes have already been recommended for the Parishad Week to be observed from the 3rd to the 10th September.  Among them I would lay particular stress of TREE PLANTATION.

I need hardly remind our members of the significance of trees in maintenance of ecological balance, soil conservation and fertility, improved and assured rainfall, and being the most important source of timber and energy with their importance in our life as a whole and economy, in particular. Every body knows these things, but hardly anybody cares to do anything for conservation of our forest wealth, which has been dwindling very fast since independence.  The Independence Day, which comes at the peak of the rainy season, as well as the Parishad Week, which is also the most appropriate time for planning trees, should, therefore, be made special occasions for this programme, which should receive the pride of place in the Parishad Week.

Let us, therefore, take up TREE PLANTATION as PROJECT OF THE MONTH or SEASON.  It will be our endeavor to prescribe a constructive project for every month or season, which like tree plantation, will be of national significance.  To enable me to choose the most appropriate project.  I would invite suggestions from our members and readers.

It is time we decide upon concrete projects which will carry us forward on the road of ‘Vikas’.  Let us be more pragmatic and not shy away from practical problems, which call for practical solutions, hard thinking, hard work and hard measures to make our programmes effective.  At the moment, whatever we are doing in the name of service does not even touch the fringe of the problem of ‘Vikas’ – all round development.  Let us attack the fundamentals and not waste our effort on cosmetics.  Food, housing, health, pollution control, education, economic growth and population control are the problems which should engage our attention first.  Spiritual vikas will follow.  Swami Vivekananda said that  “You cannot talk of God to a man with an empty stomach”.  It is, therefore, futile to talk of conscience and ideals to a man who is struggling day and night to keep himself and his family fed to be alive.

It is time that the Parishad justifies its name.  Up till now, precious little has been done for the ‘Vikas’ of our country and our countrymen.  I hope that delegates at the conferences will apply their minds to this fundamental question.    (Niti;  November, 1989)

SIMPLE LIVING HIGH THINKING
We must also be careful to eliminate programmes and projects which serve little purpose, which carry us nowhere nearer to our cherished goals and which consume too much of our effort, time and resources.  In this context, I refer to activities which begin and end with socializing, feasting and merrymaking – the so called cultural activities which merely promote the cheap and decadent culture of the west at the cost of our own rich and varied cultural heritage, which we in the Parishad have pledged ourselves to uphold and strengthen.  Some entertainment in the form of music and dance is not bad, but let it be in the classical and indigenous tradition of our country.  Feasting and entertainment should be minimal, so that our limited funds may not be frittered away on them.  Let our functions be simple but elegant, for elegance can be achieved without expensive and gaudy display.  Showmanship, gimmickry, excessive publicity, self-advertisement must yield place to quiet and efficient organization and maintenance of proper decorum. Let us not forget that “SIMPLE LIVING AND HIGH THINKING” is a cherished motto of our Parishad.  By budgeting our expenditure, and diligent collections, and exercise of economy and strict financial discipline we can avoid financial crises, which many of our branches face due to lack of foresight.  In recent circulars to the State Presidents and General Secretaries, the need for careful supervision of the branches has been emphasized.  Let us hope that all these branches which have failed to fulfill their financial obligations to the State, the Center or Niti, will not only clear up the arrears but also ensure that arrears do not accumulate in future.  (Niti; December, 1989)                                                                                                  
BHARAT VIKAS PARISHAD AND OTHER SOCIO-CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS
Bharat Vikas Parishad is a non-political, socio-cultural service organization of the elite among the citizens.  There are other social organization of the elite also functioning like the Rotary and Lions.  A member of the Rotary Club cannot become a member of the Lions, and vice verse, but no such restriction applies to the membership of the Bharat Vikas Parishad, because it is basically different from the other socio-cultural clubs.

Primarily, Bharat Vikas Parishad is not a ‘club’.  It is a Council  of the elite, intellectuals and the well-to-do who have dedicated themselves to the service of the poor, disabled, illiterate and the ignorant by gradually developing in them a sense of responsibility and self-confidence, which is really the concept of our service to the needy.

The Rotary and other international organizations were born outside India and they generally draw inspiration from sources which are alien.  They carry a deep stamp of an alien culture, which has also affected their thinking and activities.  The ultimate control of those organization lies in the hands of people outside India.  A big proportion of the funds raised by these organizations goes to foreign lands and is spent at the discretion of the foreigners.  A very small proportion of these funds is available for the benefit of people in this country.  Outwardly, these clubs have adopted the national grab, local languages are used and the National Anthem is also sung, yet a feeling of cultural inferiority and subjugation to the tinsel world of the West persist and is discernible all along.  On the contrary, Bharat Vikas Parishad is wholly and totally an indigenous organization, which is intensely nationalistic in outlook.  It was conceived and born in India and it draws inspiration from Indian culture and Indian values, for the protection and propagation of which it has been established.

In Bharat Vikas Parishad women have a significant role to play.  It is fully conscious of its responsibility for the comprehensive and multifaceted development of the society.  This cannot be achieved unless, it is able to carry along with it the women force of India, who constitute half of our population.  Therefore, women enjoy equal status and eligibility for membership in our constitution.  In fact, membership granted not to an individual male or female but jointly to the couple.

The main distinction, however, lies in our ideals, our philosophy, aims, objectives, activities and finally, in our way of thinking.

The aim of the clubs is essentially social get together, and eating and entertainment are naturally integral to it.  The Parishad also appreciates the importance of fellowship, without which contact (Sampark) and cooperation (Sahyog) are not possible.  But fellowship in the Parishad is only a means to an end and not the end in itself.  Therefore, only so much stress need be laid on fellowship as may be necessary to reach out, create contacts and secure cooperation.

Social service is the aim of both the Parishad and the clubs, but the definition of ‘Service’ is different.  Service in Bharat Vikas Parishad denotes working for the total development of the country, protection of the national culture and heritage, revival and propagation of our cultural and moral values and national reconstruction in the light of these values.  Naturally, the Parishad should take up such programmes which are likely to have a deep impact on society and the country, and for the success of its programmes the very mentality of our people needs to be changed.  Every programme of the Parishad should aim at bringing about a change in the thinking of people and, in this respect, it is an idealistic missionary organization whose mission needs to be understood properly.  Compared to it, the social service rendered by the clubs is merely a cosmetic affair which has no deep impact on society.  Such superficial service may give a feeling of self-satisfaction to those who are enabled to spend a fraction of their immense wealth in the name of public service, but their real objective is self-publicity and self-promotion.  Hardly a small fraction of the money spent in the name of social service in the clubs reaches the needy who are supposed to be benefited.  There is more publicity than service.

BHARAT VIKAS PARISHAD IS NON-POLITICAL 
It has no political aims or ambitions.  It has no links with any political or, for that matter, with any other organization.  As individuals, its members are free to hold political views of their own, so long as their views do not come into conflict with the ideals of the Parishad.  But no member, howsoever high in Parishad hierarchy, can be permitted to involve the Parishad in any programme and activity motivated by political or likely to serve the political interest of any political party or individual.  The lure of political power is too great to resist and some active and dynamic members are sometimes caught in its web.  This not only reduces their utility to the Parishad but virtually makes them a liability, because instead of serving the organisation they want the organisation to serve them in the fulfillment of their political ambitions.  Therefore, Bharat Vikas Parishad not only keeps itself strictly aloof from politics but denies political activists any significant role in the organisation.

SIMPLICITY AND ELEGANCE  
SIMPLE LIVING, HIGH THINKING is the motto of Bharat Vikas Parishad.  With its small budget, no unit of the Parishad can afford to be extravagant.  When we indulge in extravagance, we do so at the cost of some vital programme.  When we spend on non-essential and neglect the essential, we expose the lopsidedness of our thinking and a lack of proper sense of priorities.  Simplicity and elegance should be the motto of everyone whether in his or her private life or in the working of the organisation.  In fact, any one who has failed to apply this motto to his or her private life could hardly be expected to apply it to organisational work. 

I notice dozen of photographs being taken in a single function.  Vanity is human weakness.  Some people, who suffer more from this weakness, are anxious to see themselves in as many photos as possible, and from every possible angle.  But we in the Parishad are neither film stars nor politicians, and are expected to rise above such petty vanities and have a greater sense of balance.  As photos cost a great deal, their number should be restricted to the barest minimum, and size and number of prints should also be restricted so that due publicity is given to the Parishad function at least possible cost.  We should not loose sight of the activities of the Parishad. For instance, at a Charter function, we need only photos of actual presentation of the charter and oath-taking and badge pinning ceremonies.  Therefore, every paisa of the Parishad funds should be saved and used for constructive activity..