SRI SRI RAVISHANKAR IN BIKANER -

RAISING A VOICE AGAINST

CORRUPTION IN CHHOTI KASHI

Dr. T.K. Jain

AFTERSCHOOOL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SIVAKAMU VETERINARY HOSPITAL
ROAD
BIKANER
www.afterschool.tk
mobile : 9414430763

Corruption is a man-made problem and definitely we can solve this

problem. We need determination, collective will power, a culture of
mutual respect and trust and values of spirituality to fight against this
problem. There are a few persons who are raising voice against this
problem. These persons need our moral support. Many persons have
accepted corruption as a way of life and this is the biggest crime that
they can commit. If we will not solve this problem, who will come to
solve this problem. All of us are feeling the pinch of this problem, but
we lack the determination and capabilty to raise our voice against this
problem. We have to build public opinion against this problem. We
have to prepare people to say 'NO' to corruption. This will require a
culture of ethical and righteous conduct.

Bikaner is a spiritual city and that's why it is called Chhoti Kashi. It is

a city where you can find temples in every nook and corners. There
are more temples than the grocery stores. Not just temples, the Patas
(the wooden platform where people sit and chat) are also the places
where people gather and start spiritual discourse. There are many
scholars and thinkers who give regular discourse on spirituality,
religion and the way of life. It is the city, where you can still find
people attending spiritual and religious discourse with greater
attention then all the commercial stuff. Arrival of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
was naturally awaited by the citizens of the city.

On 27th February, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Bikaner and

addressed the citizens of Bikaner in Railway Ground. It was a
momentous occasion for the spiritual groups of Bikaner. People
thronged in large number in anticipation of Sri Sri Ravishankar's
presentation. After the meditation session, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
asked the people to fight against corruption. He asked people to take
oath and raise their hands in support of the cause. He asked the
government officials to write clearly "I dont take bribe" on their table
and it was accepted by all the government officials present. There
were a few queries, to which Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji satisfied. The
entire audience was convinced about the appeal of Sri Sri Ravi
Shankar.

Corruption and mal-practices have increased in the entire country

and cities like Bikaner have also been affected by this virus. This
disease is spreading very fast. Pomp and show and the new life style
based on extravazanza are responsible for creating a lust and greed
among people. The people of Bikaner, who were earlier known for
their simple living and high thinking are also getting addicted to this
luscious temptation. Media has further highlighted the material wealth
of people and encouraged people to show off. The relatively calm and
satisfied persons of Bikaner have now started changing themselves
and are now joining the rut. The entire country needs sermons of Sri
Sri Ravi Shankar. It is only the positive thinking and confidence in our
values that can save our nation. Over ten thousand persons
gathered in Railway Ground were enthralled by the electrifying
sermon of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Accompanying him were Samvit
Somgiri and Jainacharya Jinchandra Suri, who also exhorted the
audience to pick up the right path.

It was indeed a great moment for the Chhoti Kashi, which needs
revitalisation and rejuvenation of its spiritual fervour. Let us hope that
the city will be able to cure itself of the virus of corruption and will be
able to rediscover its glorious past.

Since our centre is trying to promote entrepreneurship and spirituality,

we are particularly thankful to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji for coming to
Bikaner and raising the spirit of spirituality. There are many
entrepreneurs in Bikaner who have boldly said 'NO' to corruption in
any form. I would like to give here reference of Sri Kishan Chand
Bothra in particular. He is a pioneer of Woollen Industry in Bikaner.
He established one of the first few cards to prepare carpet woollen
threads in Bikaner. He is one such entrepreneur, who has always
said "NO" to corruption in any form. He has boldly faced all actions
which might have followed due to his reluctance to offer any kind of
bribe. His honest and straight forward approach might have landed
him in many disputes with the government departments, but today he
has created a role model of how to work honestly and ethically and
how to face the might of corrupt government officials. We wish to
offer our heartful thanks and appreciation to his initiatives. I tried to
conduct his guest lectures in MBA institutions whereever I worked
and I realised that his ideas had a profound positive impact on the
students. (I was able to organise his one guest lecture in Sri
Ganganagar and one in Bikaner). I wish that more and more business
schools should invite persons like him, who have progressed on the
basis of principles and ethics in spite of all the hurdles that they might
have faced.