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in the nature of 'Why'. Man, because of the imperatives of his nature, cannot survive in a disenchanted world brought about by the inexorable forces of technology and an exclusive paradigm of classical science. He can be beguiled by the allurements of material comforts vouchsafed by technology for a time but cannot be imprisoned permanently within the coils of consumerism. His indomitable spirit is destined to break loose of all shackles imposed by lower passions and pursuits. It is the dynamo of religion that furnishes man with the requisite power and energy to follow relentlessly his spiritual trajectory inspite of all odds and hazards. The present-day unenviable scenario of human condition is directly traceable to the fall of man from his primordial position. It is surprising that man despite thousands of years of historical evolution, still behaves like an anthropoid ape. The unprecedented spectacle of violence and cruelty perpetrated by man towards his own fellow beings and the flora & fauna of nature, the reckless spoliation and destruction of the life support systems and such other ugly phenomena owe their occurrence definitely to the degeneration of human nature. The golden rule of balancing the extremes of norms and behaviour which religions have been teaching and preaching since times immemorial has been violated non-chalantly. Man possessed of the super power of technology is riding roughshod over the universe of values. A poignant situation has been created; an impending apocalypse stares us in our face. It is religion alone that can provide a glimmer of hope in these hours of darkness and dismay. Without ushering in an ethicospiritual renaissance, there seems to be no other strategy available to man to address the nightmarish situation and education has a crucial role to play in this episodic affair..
All disciplines falling within the bailiwick of physical, biological and social sciences must have a value underpinning, Sciences' claim of axiological neutrality is no longer a tenable proposition at a time when the world is heading towards a precipice. The religious spirit must pervade all subiect-specific curricula. A value framework must be developed for all subjects within which their study should be pursued. Education is the most efficient and proficient medium that man has evolved for value creation, preservation, and transmission. It is only at the level of higher education that conscious assimilation of value is possible; however, the seeds can be implanted at the primary and secondary level. The world will look totally transformed when value-imbued youths inhabit it and influence the course of events. Religion has been the fountainhead of all moral values. Without
intense practicing of moral values no spiritual headway is possible. That is why all religions have made morality as the sheetanchor of spiritual progress. However, it is high time to realise that morality is the pre-condition not only of a spiritual development but all kinds of development.
DAN 4511 97227-1, 2001 AUW
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