The human face of globalisation, Vivekananda style

Globalisation may have become the most-discussed economic event in the past decade, but its roots can be traced a long was back, to the thinking of seers like Swami Vivekananda, according to eminent historian Tapan K Raychaudhuri.

Delivering the Swami Vivekananda Memorial oration on 'Swami Vivekananda's message: Its relevance in the age of globalisation' at the Management Centre for Human Values of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, the UK-based explained how Vivekananda perceived of a global economy integrated in areas beyond trade of goods and services.

Most people knew only about Vivekananda's Chicago visit and his speech at the world religions congress, Raychaudhuri said, but "Vivekananda's declared objective was not propagation of Hinduism in whatever form. It was mainly to raise fund for ameliorate poverty and to seek America's help in importing technology, suitable for India".

Raychaudhuri said in his understanding, even in those days, Vivekananda dreamt of India as a nation materially developed along western lines, but held together by spirituality, vitality and energy.

Vivekananda spoke of the emergence of the capitalist class and encouraged activities relating to economic development, explained Raychaudhuri.

Vivekananda was clear about the benefits of the flow of talent and knowledge, which happens to be the crux of today's globalisation, explained Raychaudhuri.

The globalisation of today sadly lacks this true spirit as it does not allow the free flow of human capital. Today's buzzwords like social objective and corporate social responsibility was described by Vivekananda primarily as the tool for the empowerment of the disowned.

"Vivekananda wanted the rich to assist in the process of empowerment of the poor, with the rest being taken care of by the system", explained Raychaudhuri.

Vivekananda dreamt of a global economy, not merely in terms of transfer of goods and services but of culture and spirituality, explained Raychaudhuri.

"Vivekananda dreamt of a world, where action and knowledge of western women would enrich the women of east and Indians would be the pillars of creative action", said Raychaudhuri.

Speaking on Vivekananda's action and thought, the historian referred to evidence to establish how individuals could act in the midst of pressures of the globally competitive economy.

Raychaudhuri said the importance of Vivekananda's views regarding ignorance and illiteracy in society was more relevant today than ever before.

"Even today there is evidence that shows how a one economy is trying to dictate terms in every way. This is primarily due to ignorance and this bothered Vivekananda the most", added Raychaudhuri.