Part 3 of St Stephen's lecture to be on society, one's position within social framework

New Delhi: In the part three of St Stephen's and Network18 joint initiative where the former will offer a certificate course in 'Citizenship & Cultural Richness' with weekly classes conducted by its regular faculty and distinguished alumni, the discussion will be about the society and our position within the social framework.

Every individual takes a position within the social framework which can be either passive or active and one gets the society s/he deserves. It is concluded that there is a need to re-think our thinking and assumptions.

The context has been taken as there is a sense of the cheapening of life due to the violation of values, rise of violence, corruption, the fragmentation of society, atrophy of neighbourhood.

The sense of insignificance becomes worse as we have the tendency to see ourselves entirely in terms of what is out there. The imbalance between the inner and outer. And it can be resolved by increasing inner riches and resources, developing a perspective.

Here are some preliminary statements:

1. Like the family, society itself is the product of human insufficiency. Family meets our need for individual nurture and protection but we have other needs. One needs to grow beyond one's home as progress is a social product.

One needs to contribute, work and act.

There is need for protection and recognition

2. It is important to find the right relationship with our context. Community expresses the larger scope of being human, therefore

Diversity

Difficulty

Obstructions

The enhancement of our growth milieu

3. Living together is an art

Reciprocity

Discipline

Worth

A spirit of appreciation

Happiness in giving

Duties/responsibilities

Treat others as you would like to be treated. Maintain a social equilibrium.

Respect the dignity and freedom of others

Renounce violence, anger and hatred.

Cultivate an attitude of reverence towards life, including nature

We have a duty to align ourselves to the quest for an ideal society.

Strategies:

1. Develop yourself, be a partner, not a parasite. Keep your inner life clean. Do not conform and dare to be different. For the sake of the society, be a role model, where you are.

2. Abide by values.

3. Be the light to your society. There are two possibilities - attack evil, do good labour, work, action.

4. Remember, you matter, goethe

There are some fundamentals

1. Authority

2. Rule of law

3. Work culture

4. Respect for diversity

5. Sense of self-transcendence

6. Think for yourself

Society is like a river. We can pollute, preserve, neglect, enrich.

In a first of its kind initiative in India, Network18 and St Stephen's college have joined hands to offer a course that promotes education for all. The citizenship and cultural enrichment course is aimed at harnessing the educational resources of the media fraternity.

Under the course, St Stephen's College will hold weekly classes conducted by its regular faculty and distinguished alumni including top serving and retired judges, bureaucrats and renowned academicians.

The lecture content will be hosted across the digital and social media platforms of Network18 (ibnlive.com) and St Stephen's College (www.ststephens.edu).