Page 187 - SocialHarmony

Equal Opportunity for Everyone 191

people wish to belong to the SC/ST section. Our progress and
growth do not depend on our caste and community. Eklavya
did not belong to the Pandava family; there was no chance that
he could be king. And yet, his consistent efforts gave him a
position equivalent to Arjuna.

On the other hand, though Ravan was an exalted king, born
a Brahmin, people hate him so much that they burn his effigies
even today. Ravan was neither Muslim nor Christian. But the
Hindu community has always appreciated good, constructive
deeds and criticized bad ones. For us what matters is our culture
and values. Our society would be ruined if were unable to save
our culture.

From the time of our birth, it should be our mission to save
our culture. It is an opportunity given to us by God. We need to
accumulate this power within us by making our society free of
bad habits, wrong trends and inferiority complexes. It is our
responsibility to take our society on the right path. Everyone
should get an equal opportunity to grow. It is time to move
ahead, and that is possible only with the help of education. It is
a matter of shame if even in the 21st century, we do not educate
our daughters. We can afford to skip a meal a day, but we should
educate our daughters. Our coming generation will lead happy
and healthy lives only if our daughters are educated. Our words
may show the presence of Goddess Saraswati, but we need to
bring Her presence in our lives.