Page 144 - SocialHarmony

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Service: A Process of Our Culture

(Inauguration of the Annapurna Annkshetra Manav
Sewa Mandir, Lions Club of Digvijaynagar,

Digvijaynagar Lions Foundation, Opposite Civil
Hospital, Ahmedabad. October 17, 2004)

We have the concept of “Vanprasth-ashram,” in our country.
This name is given to the age between fifty and seventy-
five when a person has completed most worldly commitments
and has the time and willingness to serve the society. Our
ancestors had created this system in a natural manner, which
ensured that people experienced the desire of doing something
for society after a lifetime of efforts behind earning money and
taking care of their own family. This system which once flowed
naturally now needs to be brought in with a lot of efforts.

The number of old-age homes is increasing in our society.
As a matter of policy, I refuse to inaugurate any old-age home
because it is not the sign of a healthy society. The insensitivities
in Western countries led to establishment of old-age homes
because children were not willing to take care of their parents.
It is an irony that a son having five bungalows is not willing to
have his father under the same roof. The father of a poor man
may be found living in his hut for his entire life and sharing the
best of what the family has to offer. This is the basic nature of
our society, which is what can save our society.

Sometimes we study our economy according to the
American economy. But at present American economists are
worried about the impending loss to the American economy.