Page 63 - SocialHarmony

Service to the Progeny of Shabaridham 67

lead to God. I once had an opportunity to attend the UN Summit,
where Sri Sri Ravishankar was also present. In the presence of
Kofi Annan, and after a long discussion, a proposal was passed
which mentioned that all cults in the world are equal and worthy
of respect. You will be surprised to know that three days later, I
received a 35-page long statement from the Christian head
saying that we don’t agree with this concept of equality as we
are higher than other cults. Those who believe themselves to be
higher than others are inviting destruction whereas those who
believe in equality can never create trouble. Having love and
respect for all is our tradition which we have got from our Rishis,
saints and teachers, and it is an inherent part of our cultural
heritage. I can love the entire world only if I love my own
heritage. I can think about the welfare of the entire mankind,
only when I start loving all people. That is why I say that we
should bow down to Mother Shabari and together wait for
Ramrajya, enjoying the process in the same manner as Mother
Shabari enjoyed her lifelong wait for Lord Rama.

There will be immense change in the financial situation
here. Already, I can see a huge difference today compared to
my previous visit. This district gets sufficient rainfall in
monsoons but there is always a great scarcity of water after the
monsoon gets over. An improvement can be brought by the use
of check-dams and other instruments of water conservation. You
will be happy to know that even today some of the largest cities
of India such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi do not
have 24-hour electricity. But every village of Dang district gets
24- hour, three-phase electricity as Dang was the first district to
be covered under the Jyoti Gram Scheme.

Gujarat is the only state that has a concrete plan called
“Gujarat Pattern” for the progress of backward classes. The
Gujarat Government provides money to the deprived. The forest
people themselves decide the developmental work that they
wish to be carried out – be it a well in the village, a proper road
or additional rooms for the village school. The State Government
has paid out around ` 600-700 crores directly in the hands of
the forest people and has experienced exemplary honesty. The