Implementation of Rāma Rājya

Yes, Rāma Rājya Can Be Established!

In this series of articles on Rāma Rājya, we have so far dealt with its Vision, Values and Relevance for our 21st century. Any valuable concept or model is, eventually, only as good as its implementation. We now address this question for Rāma Rājya.

There are many challenges in implementing a Governance model as ethical as Rāma Rājya. Who all have the responsibility to implement it? What should be their respective strategies and actions? How are all such steps, by the different actors to be integrated, at the national level?

Parents have, as always, a great and sacred responsibility. What they do or fail to do, affects the future personality and behaviour of every child. They should read Rāmāyaṇa, for, and with, their wards. In particular, highlight the many good values guiding Śrī Rāma, Sītā Mā, Bharata, Lakṣmaṇa, Hanumān, Vibhīṣṇa, Sabarī and other wholesome examples.

They should also caution against the bad values and actions of Rāvaṇa, who goaded his family members also into wrong actions. Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa is now available in so many editions and media such as print, videos, films, net, etc. The grandparents, both paternal and maternal, and other elders can supplement such value infusion, especially if the parents are young and preoccupied with work, careers, etc.

Next, come the teachers. Besides teaching the various subjects, as per the prescribed syllabus, they should provide guidance in values. Rāma Rājya values are entirely consistent with the best universal values. They can recommend Rāmāyaṇa as extracurricular reading. Encourage the students to make presentations, put up plays or display drawings on Rāmāyaṇa.

Wherever the parents have provided the foundation, the teachers can reinforce them. If not, fill the gap. The better informed students can be motivated to share with others.

On completion of their school and college education, most students take up jobs in some form of organisation– Government, business, non-profit, academic, etc. Almost all will enter as junior officers/executives. They can make an immediate impact on their own section and team, by showing Rāma Rājya values in their own conduct. They can share those values with those of their immediate colleagues, who may not be fully familiar with them. Many organisations now operate on the mode of “Vision, Mission and Values.”

They also have more participative planning and implementation processes. Relevant Rāma Rājya Vision and Values elements can be added to enrich the internal drafts. As the executives rise, in their careers, they can spread the Rāma Rājya Values into all their partner organisations, and multiple stakeholders.

Every generation of adults should also take up roles as community leaders in their respective areas of residence in a city; one of its suburbs; or a small town; or a group of villages.

In that role, they will be assisting government and families on health, education, welfare, development, etc. In all such activities and interactions, they can stress these values and their great benefits to all.

If the above four processes, by parents, teachers, organisations and communities are healthy, it helps the government, the actor of the last resort, focus on good governance, through effective, smooth, undisturbed, well-received administration and services.

The government officials, at all three levels–Central, State and local–can play a supportive service role, with a deep sevā bhāva. They should also play a leadership role in the international spread of Rāma Rājya Vision and Values.

The above path of action will not be totally smooth and linear. There will be some resistance But, they can be and should be overcome for a peaceful, sustainable, global growth, in the 21st century and beyond.

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(Published in Tattvāloka of January 2020)