The future will be sound and good, if we inculcate democratic values in our masses because the proper working of democracy depends on the strength and wisdom of the masses. It is a national misfortune that people are made to think more of individuals and hero-worship is not discouraged.

Democracy was given to the world by India. There were republics like Vaishali in India when the rest of the world had no knowledge about democracy. Democracy came up first in the West in Greece but that was also partial, meant only for the higher classes; half the population were slaves.
Now, regarding redesigning India for the 21st century: we concentrate more on the present than on the future. If we take care of the present properly and well, the future will automatically take care of itself.
The future will be sound and good, if we inculcate democratic values in our masses because the proper working of democracy depends on the strength and wisdom of the masses.
The basis of our democracy is ‘Atmavat Sarvabhuteshu’ (having equality of vision); that is the way democracy has been given to the world by this country.
When people say that we are deteriorating, going the wrong way and are getting destroyed, they are not reading the trends correctly. One should never get dejected or pessimistic under any circumstances. Pessimism is a result of fear, cowardice. If there is fearlessness, there will never be any pessimism. It is only out of optimism that fearlessness can come.
I do not want people to be unrealistic but when you hope for the best and are prepared for the worst, you do not get frustrated and nervous in adverse circumstances. Things always do not happen as we want them to happen. There is another law—Rta—which governs all that. That does not mean we should not work. We should work according to our best capacity but we should also cheerfully accept whatever happens. Then we can take a step forward. Otherwise, not.

(Contd...)