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The Times Of India, 10 November 2015

CHENNAI: The existing education system is inadequate and needs to be changed in a manner that it improves internal qualities of humans, said Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Monday. “I have many educationists as friends who also feel the system is not adequate. We have to seriously think of improving the education system that changes both the physical and emotional aspects of human beings,” he said.

Pointing out that all destructive situations ultimately stemmed from emotions, he said people should try to increase constructive emotions. “The basic human nature was based on compassion which is a positive thing. If human nature was based on a negative aspect, there would have been no hope for change.”

The Dalai Lama was speaking at the first-ever Abdul Kalam Seva Ratna awards organised by the Madras Management Association in association with Abdul Kalam Vision India Movement at Music Academy.

Lamenting that people of his generation had created a lot of problems on the planet, he said it was up to members of the present generation to find solutions and build a happy 21st century.

“Man made the problems but we also have the ability to reduce them and eventually eliminate them. We need a sense of oneness. Different views, faith, and things like race/caste are minor issues. What we need to remember is that we all are humans and have the same right to achieve a happy life,” he said.

Recalling his first few visits to the city in the 1950s and 1960s, he pointed to the sharp increase in the number of constructions this time. “There is extreme modernisation in the world but people should also have a peaceful mind. People live in big houses but there is a lot of tension within them. Material development provides only physical comfort but modernisation does not necessarily bring us inner peace.”

Saying India had the potential to bring about this peace, he said it was the only country where all major traditions live together and the 3000 years of Indian culture was rooted in non-violence and religious harmony.

He also had a word of advice for recipients of the Abdul Kalam Seva awards for their achievements in areas like tree plantation, reviving of water bodies, providing safe drinking water and de-addiction. “Many times, people receive the award for the recognition and then relax. But they now have more responsibility of carrying out the work continuously,” he said.