Page 216 - SocialHarmony

220 Social Harmony

work, it colours newspapers, pages after pages, singing its
eulogy. I would like to say to the officials of the industrial
institutions that they should look towards the poor people who
are now aware to do something for the society, that too, without
a desire for making it known, without desiring anything in
return. Go and look at the work they are doing and find for
yourself the type of environment that prevails in the society. I
have a new idea how the leaders in the industrial field should
carry out their social responsibility, and how their responsibility
should be determined by which some new scheme for the
welfare of the poor can be chalked out. The scheme should be
such by which definite outcome can be realized, by which the
aspiration of the society’s all-round development can be
attained.

I can clearly see three important factors to fight poverty –
first education, second evil habits arising out of situation and
difficulties, and third indebtedness due to suffering. I feel eternal
pain and pity so far as education is concerned. I am pained at
the situation prevailing in the whole tribal areas, whether it is
Ambaji or Santalpur, I have to take up the task of protecting
this area from illiteracy, and I have put people on this work.
Education is a powerful tool to fight with poverty. I asked a
brother, who came to meet me recently, “The government is
helping you in every way, what will you do for me?” He said, “I
am a poor man, what can I do for you?” I said, “Do one thing
for me, educate your children. This is my work that you should
do.” Tears flowed down his eyes, and he promised that he would
educate his children. Therefore, I urge in this welfare fair that
you must educate your offspring, we have to be concerned so
that they study.

The second factor is the evil habit that destroys the entire
family – drinking, smoking and addiction to opium. A girl is
prevented from marrying. Just an evil turns a house into hell.
An addict does not move from his place until his addiction has
been quenched. I have to bring these people out of their evil
habits, I have to save them. The elderly women in the family
spend two-three rupees in sniff. If this money is used for the