Education for Character

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Need of Spiritual and Character Building Education in the Perspective of
Swami Vivekananda’s Teachings
Dr. Md. Afsar Ali
Assistant Professor in B. Ed. (Physical Science)
AcharyaJagadish Chandra Bose College,
1/1B, A. J. C. Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020.
e-mail: ali.mdafsar09@gmail.com
 Abstract:
Complete education means development of body, mind and soul. Right type of curriculum is
needed for the manifestation of desired type of human potentialities. Our education system
focuses only the materialistic requirement of an individual. Human behaviour and actions are
determined by his/her ideology, which springs from his/her level of spirituality and character.
So, education system devoid of spiritual and character building provision produces only
consumerist materialistic knowledge machine. Such ‘educated’ persons without value, ethics,
morality, accountability, etc. are dangerous to the society. Hence, we are suffering from many
social and humanity problems. Swami Vivekananda was in favour of - spiritual and character
building education, studying the religious scriptures and understanding one’s root, and
inclusion of the followers of different religions on the basis of true understanding of their
religions.
The need of the hour is to reorient our education system in the light of Swamiji’s teachings.
 Introduction:
Human baby takes birth as the most dependent creature. Without others help he/she can’t
satisfy his/her physiological needs, even can’t differentiate between food and poison! The
sole responsibility goes to the education system to transform these fully dependent species
into complete human beings, the best creature on this earth. Here, the question arises – how
education system does this miracle? It is the subject matter of education and training which
determines its outcome, i.e., the ultimate human nature. As for example, specific type of
education and training can transform a human baby into - as good as a good social worker or
as bad as a skilled robber /murderer. The ultimate outcome depends only upon the subject
matter of the education and training. This subject matter is popularly known as curriculum.
According to Swami Vivekananda, “Education is the manifestation of the perfection already
in man.” Here, education provides only the right type of required condition for the
nourishment and flourishing of the inborn potentialities within the human babies. One such
important condition is right type of curriculum meant for the manifestation of desired type of

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human potentialities. According to a renowned Educationist, Dr. Md. Sahidullah – education
is the development of body, mind and soul. Gandhiji also defined education in the same way.
So, to be a complete human being complete education is needed, which in turn requires
complete curriculum.
Our education system focuses only the materialistic requirement of an individual, neglecting
majority of the mind and completely the requirement of the soul. This develops defective
philosophy of life, and defective ideology within one-self. Being the best creature on this
world, human beings rule on everything. But, who rules on the human beings? The answer is
– his /her ideology. Values, morality, honesty, co-operation, fellow-feeling, sympathy, and
other good human qualities spring directly from one’s ideology. An individual believing in
the existence of soul/God/hereafter, while another does not – their ideology will be of
different nature.
Hallow speeches does not work. Students study sincerely as there is the question of
examination passing. Remove the concept of examination, these same students will show
reluctance in study or will not study at all. Similarly, without the concept of soul, God, final
day of judgement, - one can’t expect values, honesty, morality, etc. desired human behaviour.
This process of developing the concept of soul/God/hereafter, etc. can be called as spiritual
education, and developing the concept of its bi-products – honesty, morality, value system,
etc. is called character building education.
The duty of the education system should be to inculcate the concept of bodily requirement as
well as that of mind and soul/God/ hereafter among the learners; so that one can have
complete education and with the complete manifestation of his/her perfections become a true
human being. Hence, in order to materialize the Preamble of UN Charter 1945,“Save
succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in the dignity and worth of
human person [and] in the equal rights of man and women.”, spiritual and character building
education is the only way-out.
 Present State:
Education system of any nation or society forms its backbone. As the education system is, so
is the society. Here, the author would put few important illustrations about the present state of
human behaviour in our society vis-à-vis its genesis in the curriculum of our education
system. For the sake of convenience of understanding, the whole complex thing is sub-
divided, as below:

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A. Exploitation, Deprivation, Corruption, etc.
These are the mirror of the level of human character and their spiritual elevation. These also
are the source of all human sufferings. In India these became the ‘norms’ today and its naked,
cruel figure is manifested in a number of reports, findings, etc. Report says that poverty
driven parents -BaniKarmakar and her husband of Sardarpara village under Barhampore
police station, buried down their new-born due to poverty.(1)
While SanuKhatun of Bihar sells
her 4 month’s baby at just Rs.62!(2)
“In India one child dies in every 20 second. … 93%
children between the age group of 6 – 23 months do not get even their survival meals. … 70%
children of less than 3 years of age are affected by anaemia.”(3)
Even today, there are
shameful events of starvation death in West Bengal, 13 people died due to starvation in past
1.5 years,(4)
There is another shocking report, “Five Indians die every single minute due to
hunger and 230m Indians go hungry daily.”(5)
From the above facts one can come to the conclusion that there is lack of resources in our
country; hence such poverty, hunger, starvation, loss of life due the poverty, etc. prevails in
our society. But this is not the case! We have plenty of resources; but unfortunately these are
inhumanly captured by handful of persons. In the list of ten richest persons in the world
today, four are Indians!(6)
They prefer to allow more than 13 lakh ton food-grain to be rotten
in storage or to dump these in ocean but not to put on the mouth of their hungry and dying
brethren. So, we see that more than two lakh farmers (the producer of food) in India have
committed suicide in past few years, roughly one in every thirty minutes.(7)
According to a report in Indian Express, we are the fourth most corrupt country in Asia!(8)
We are not lagging behind in depriving the weaker section of our society also. According to
Dr.Tulshiram, only 12 – 13% people in India get justice, in Europe it is 90%.(9)
Another report reveals, “In consideration to granting equal rights to women, framing tough
laws in prohibiting atrocities and deprivation against women, proving health-care facilities
to women, … India came out as the worst country for the women; considering infant
mortality, killing of girl children, early childhood marriage and inhuman activities like
slavery.”(10)
This state of worse level of deprivation, atrocity, corruption, inhuman behaviour, etc. are the
product of completely materialistic education, which focuses only individual needs. Its
remedy lies in spiritual and character building education, which places social /collective
needs over individual aspirations.

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B. Lack of Ethics, Morality & Value System
Our society stands at very low rank at present in terms of these human qualities. This is being
manifested without interruption, as:
Week and helpless are the victims of consumerist whims of the stronger section. According
to National Crime Bureau report - in every 20 minute one rape is being committed in our
country.(11)
In India every hour two dalits are being assaulted, every day three dalit women
are being raped, two dalits are being killed and their two houses are being burnt down.(12)
Our
self-consciousness is terribly shaken when a Granthi (the keeper and the reader of the Sikh
scripture at a Sikh shrine), residents of Alawalpur village, held convicted for raping his
teenage daughter.” (13)
No relation remains sacred so far! This is not the case in India only; in
so called advanced countries we astonishingly find that 66 Padris (religious portfolio bearers
in Church) are found guilty for sexual exploitation on many children and teenagers for 10
years!(14)
The drive for individual comfort is too strong to negate even the most sacred relation, like
parent ward! Angan Sarkar and Bela Sarkar, husband and wife decided to commit suicide at
their old age, as their sons refused to take care of them!(15)
While, 19 year-old Sharani Basu,
planned to kill her entire five member family including herself by carbon monoxide
poisoning, at Regent Park, Kolkata.(16)
In another incident, a 38-year old youth (Sovan Sarkar)
killed his parents and was caught when trying to bury their bodies in a garden adjacent to
their house this morning at Sarsuna Sasthir More, Kolkata. (17)
Many times, even in very filthy matters, like pocket money, or need of money for drinking
alcohol, or non-agreeing in someone’s opinion – leads to cross all boundaries of morality,
ethics, value system. So, Ankit Saikia, a teenage in Kolkata kills his mother as she refused to
comply with his demand for more pocket money! (18)
Whereas, Bhodol Ghosh, a Malda
resident, W.B. sells his daughter for buying wine! (19)
In USA, which is our role-
model(!), frequently we find that a schoolboy armed with fire-weapon opens fire
and kills fellow students. (20)
All these demonstrate low ethics, morality, value system in our generation. This is due to the
completely materialistic focus of our modern education system, where there is no spiritual
and character building material in the curriculum. The situation is further aggravated by
practically no restriction on use of nicotine, wine, etc. According to UNO report (2011), India
consumes 17 ton of total 40 tons of heroin production in South Asia, which is largest in the
world. (21)

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C. Lack of Accountability
Accountability generates from the ground of moral, ethical and spiritual responsibility.
Present state of worse state of accountability, particularly of the so called educated class, is
manifested under serial no. A above. Where one Indian dies every twelve second out of
hunger but “India stands out for its glaring lack of infrastructure and food storage facilities,
in a new study says that 21 million tonnes of wheat – equivalent to the entire production of
Australia – goes waste in the country.” (22)
On the other hand, a huge amount of money
amounting more than 26,000 crore from the poor and marginalized section of the people were
sucked by fraudulent means by the powerful section our society.
We neglect our own philosophy of life and copy western life-style blindly; hence rushing
towards consumerism. This breeds materialistic philosophy that - money is the ultimate, to
give ultimate peace! A type of selfish, money-making personality, - devoid of ethics,
accountability, morality, value system, etc.; socio-individual personalities are generated.
They are committed to earn more money by hooks or crooks. This situation disturbs all social
norms and destroys peace.
D. Lack of Knowledge on one’s Root
In India, there are people of different religious faiths and the tolerance among them is
dangerously low. So, the country suffers from maximum number of communal riots in the
world. On an average more than two communal riots are taking place here.(23)
The main cause
of this problem lies in non-understanding and wrong-understanding of our own and that of
other’s religion. To common people, religion is a highly sensitive issue. This situation of
ignorance is exploited by the vested interest politicians by spreading the venom of hate,
suspicion, ill-will, etc. leading to communal riots. The urgent need of the hour is to go to
religious scriptures of one’s own and that of our fellow citizens. Only true understanding of
our scriptures can eliminate the atmosphere of hate and suspicion, and can establish true
peace in society. A person without the knowledge of one’s religion and culture is like a tree
without root, which can’t survive for long and susceptible to be used by others for their own
benefit.
E. Exclusion of ‘Others’ by the Dominant Class / Group
Exclusion of one section of society from availing the advantages and services available, -
breeds social dis-integration, which in turn proves harmful. Here are few illustrations –

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A judgement of Supreme Court is worth mentioning here. “The Supreme Court while
declaring 11 arrested Muslims as innocents warned Gujarat Police that law can’t be misused
in harassing people of a particular religion.”(24)
A renowned social thinker Mr. Ram
Puniyani observes, “Most of the arrests of Muslim youth are promoted by the prevalent
stereotype of ‘Muslims are criminals, terrorists’. These stereotypes are highly prevalent not
only in society but also amongst the bureaucracy, particularly the police and amongst
intelligence agencies. Many in the police force are totally in the grip of communal thinking
and with their infinite power they unleash themselves against Muslim youth at every
conceivable opportunity.”(25)
Few days earlier, our honourable central Home Minister advised
the State Governments not to arrest the innocent Muslims in terror cases. (26)
As a result of such exclusion, the alienated individual at extreme point revolts against the
system/ society. Only spiritual and character building education can make sense among the
people in the administration against such biased activities.
F. Lack of True and Complete Education
Our education system, starting from curriculum to method of teaching, evaluation, etc.
focuses only the materialistic design of life-philosophy. The complete philosophy has three
parts – the period before taking birth in this material world, this life-period and third, the
period after death of this worldly life. But our education system focuses only on this life,
discarding other two. Hence, the cycle remains incomplete. A belief is inculcated that nobody
is answerable to any authority after his/her death. Hence, might becomes right, - which is
dangerous for humanity. So, the saying fits that an educated person without value, morality is
more dangerous than a beast.
 Remedies in the light of Swami Vivekanand’s Teachings:
Swami Vivekananda (12.01.1863 – 04.07.1902) introduced revolutionary concept in the
thinking pattern of Bengali Hindus in particular and Indian in general. To him education was
nothing but providing the required type of environment for the complete manifestation on
child’s potentialities within. As a child has potentialities in all the dimensions of human
endeavour, including cognitive, affective and spiritual one; so care must be taken for the
proper development of all of these. Swamiji put special emphasis on the spiritual
development. According to him, “Social reform is not possible without spiritual reform.” (27)
So, when the spiritual sense will grow, the person will restrain from bad acts like

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exploitation, deprivation, corruption, etc. for fear of God and final day of judgement. As a
result value, ethics, morality and accountability will be established.
Swamiji was modern but against copying the meaningless Western trend. (28)
To him
modernity meant complete education, i.e., development of body, mind and soul. For that he
suggested to go back to one’s root, i.e., the study of religious scriptures. He said, “Go back to
the past age, still there is freshness and strength.” (29)
and “Obeying Vedic advices is the
rule.” (30)
Once the people will know their roots, many of the barriers of misconception will
fade out and many of their differences will be shorted out on the basis many commonality.
Swamiji advocated for religious tolerance and inclusion of all. He illustrated, “At the same
time my son may be a Buddhist, freely and completely, my wife a true Christian and my-self a
true Muslim - it is quite natural.” (31)
He even detached himself from any particular
community to include all and declared, “At first it is to be cleared that I do not belong to any
group or community. To me every community is great. I love all of them and tried to extract
the truth and goodness from among them – throughout my life. … Those who have grasped
the real meaning of religion do not quarrel with its different manifestations.” (32)
He had
respect to true scripture based religiosity and believed that this will be the solution for
communal harmony and peace. Swamiji blamed the blind followers of religion for creating
gap and ill-will among Hindus and Muslims living here. According to him, “It is the blind
Hindu followers who have made us to belief that the Muslims are foreigners. This very wrong
perception has created barrier before the innocent Muslims in uniting with the Hindus”.(33)
In conclusion it can be said that if the above elements of Swamiji’s teachings are included in
our modern education system then all the problems we are passing through presently, born
out of the defective education system, will be solved and our beloved mother-land will turn
into a peaceful, happier and prosperous country with “Islamic body and Vedantic Brain” (34)
,
in its truest sense, as Swamiji dreamt of that.
 Reference:
1. AleyaKhatun, (2012, Sept 12), Parents buried down their new-born, Kalom daily, p.1,
Kolkata.
2. Baby sold at Rs.62, the accused mother is absconding, (2012, July 16),
AnandabazarPatrika, p.8, Kolkata.
3. NatunGati, (Bengali weekly), (2012, April 2-8), p.12, Kolkata.
4. 13 STARVATION DEATH IN PAST 1.5 YEARS. ‘Right to Food’ yatranext month,
(2012, 30 Sept), The Statesman, p.4.Kolkata.
5. Zafarul-Islam Khan (2012, 1 – 15 Feb), TheMilli Gazette, 13(3), p. 1. New Delhi.
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8. Page 8 of 8
and_the_Indian_State.
8. The Indian Express, (2013, March 20) retrieved on 17th
March 2013 from
http://www.indianexpress.com/comments/india-fourthmost-corrupt-nation-in-asiapacific-
survey/768751/.
9. Dr.Tulshiram, (2012, July 15), Justice in India is Hinduised, NatunGati (Bengal
weekly), p.1, Kolkata.
10. Islam S. (2012, July 11), Canada the best, India the worst unsafe country for women,
Kalom (daily), p.5, Kolkata.
11. PRESS TV, (2013, March 17),retrieved on 20 March 2013 from
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/03/17/294102/india-nabs-6-for-raping-swiss-tourist/.
12. The Hindu, (2009, May 29).
13. SNS, (2013, 7 April.),Granthi held for raping daughter, The Statesman, p.5. Kolkata
14. 66 Padris are convicted for sexual exploitation in Germany, (2012, Dec. 10),
Kalom,p.3, Kolkata
15. Bhattacharya, K. (2012, April 18), AnandabazarPatrika, p.1, Kolkata.
16. 19-year-old behind deaths?, (2012, April 18), The Statesman, p.1, Kolkata.
17. Statesman News Service, (2013, 17 July.), Youth kills parents, Digs graves, The
Statesman, p.13. Kolkata
18. Son killed mother as she refused to give pocket money, (2012,Sept 2), Kalom, p.7,
Kolkata
19. Father sells daughter to have money for wine, (2012, Oct. 4), Kalom, p.9, Kolkata
20. New US school shooting on the eve of Newtown Anniversary: 2 Students hurt in
Colorado shooting, suspects kills self, (2013, Dec. 15), The Statesman, p. 10,
Kolkata.
21. The largest numbers of heroin consumers in the World are in India, (2012,
Aug8), Kalom, p.7, Kolkata
22. PTI, (2013, 11 Jan.),India wastes 21 million tons of wheat every year, The Statesman, p.4.
23. The Milli Gazette, (2011, Nov 1 - 15), 12(21), p. 1, New Delhi.
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(daily), p.1, Kolkata.
25. Puniyani, R. (2012, July 1 - 15), Targeting innocents: state and human rights of
Minorities.The Milli Gazette, 13(13), p. 6, New Delhi.
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Times, retrieved on 20th
Dec 2013, from http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-
01/news/42576465_1_sushil-kumar-shinde-terror-cases-minority-youth
27. Vivekananda Letters, Letter No.209, p.358
28. Murtaza GA, 2007), Bibhinnya Chokhe Swami Vivekananda, Biswa Bangiya Prakashan,
p.309, Kolkata
29. Sister Nivedita, Vivekananda Commemorative Book, p.234
30. Vivekananda Rachana Samagra, p.800.
31. Vivekananda RachanaSamagra, cited in – Murtaza GA, (2007), Bibhinnya Chokhe
Swami Vivekananda, Biswa Bangiya Prakashan, p.306, Kolkata
32. Basu S, (1988), Vivekananda Rachana Samagra, p.147
33. Sister Nivedita, Master I saw Him, p.91
34. Letter to Sarfaraz Hossain, (1898, June 10), Almora, Nainital
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