About the Foundation

Index
 

The Crisis in our Society
The Cause of this Crisis
The Clarion call
Solution – Reinstitute Our National Values
What is Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV)
Aims and Objects of FRNV
FRNV’s Focus and Approach
 

The Crisis in our Society

Any country will remain strong, cohesive, and progressive, when its citizens with abundant nationalism preserve and uphold a set of values, which provide ceaseless inspiration. In India, a multi-religious country, these National Values have to be essentially ethical and eternal, ensuring the lasting welfare of all individuals as well as the society.

While it is gratifying that our economic growth, especially over the past two decades, is esteemed by the world, there is, sadly, a stunning breakdown of values across every section of our society. Money, and not character, marks a person’s worth today. Our educational system, in the distant past, was renowned for its holistic approach to development, which produced a strong society. Today, millions of Indians do not have access to education. Those who are fortunate to pass through formal education, fail in the aspiration to assimilate the strength of character. The dearth of committed citizens, fired by the zealous drive of Nation-making, is something that the country can ill afford. It has caused the lack of ethical leadership and governance in all walks of life, which in turn impacts the way the concerns of the common man are addressed. Graft and corruption sap the strength of the nation to deal with complex issues, as evinced by India’s 72nd position in the corruption-free index.

The Cause of this Crisis

The question that is inevitably asked is, how such an appalling contradiction prevails between our growing economic competence and falling ethical conduct. And what should be done to ameliorate such an imbalance? Any true National cannot but be actively concerned with the plight. In the quest for an answer to the crisis, one is naturally prompted to ask: What does our cultural history say in the matter?

We have undoubtedly inherited a powerful legacy with an enriching past. The potential and the possibility of the Indian mind and heart are undeniably great. Surprisingly even as late as in 1835, Lord Macaulay acknowledged our country’s cultural and ethical magnificence in his address to British parliament.  The love and regard for our cultural heritage and values have declined perilously in the average citizen’s mind. This makes a rethinking and restoration imperative.

It is significant to note that our National struggle succeeded in achieving independence without bloodshed, solely by dint of the time-tested values, this subcontinent evolved in pre-historic times and has preserved over countless generations. These values alone infused undaunted inspiration, inner resolve and the inherent strength of non-violence, to sustain the protracted struggle for freedom. Subsequent to independence, however, the epidemic of greed and possessiveness, as also the temptation for power, has shaken the strong foundations of National Values. Selfishness, corruption and lawlessness have raised their heads, triggered by the descent of cultural values over decades.

Clarion Call

India is again poised to become a global power. Dynamism and energy are conspicuous in all spheres of our economy. But any such growth is bound to be shallow, even destructive, unless anchored to a stable foundation of inner values, ensuring the welfare of all beings as well as our planet. History cautions that many towering civilizations at their zenith of economic prosperity, suffered downfall primarily due to the lack of ethical strength, which a stable value-foundation alone could provide.

 

Does not our country have persons committed to Values now? The answer to this question, fortunately, is an emphatic “yes!” We do have a large number of people dedicated to lofty values, as we had in the past. In fact, it is these individuals that sustain the country. Even a small number of value-cherishing persons is a great anchor and promise. But that is not enough. They will have to take a more vibrant role in leading the Nation.

Here comes the clarion call to the cultural and patriotic thinkers of the Country to launch a timely movement to arrest this inner bankruptcy, by restoring our National Values and imbuing the hearts of all Indians with the brilliant strength of cultural patriotism.

The Foundation for Restoration of National Values (FRNV) has its compulsion from such a National ethical imperative and the redressal it points to.

Solution – Reinstitute Our National Values

The solution to the Values Crisis lies in the inspiration provided by the three stable pillars on which Independent India has vouched to rest firmly:

1. National Motto, satyam eva jayate, signifying that “Truth Shall Prevail”, we chose for ourselves,  in the wake of independence.

2. National Flag that proclaims ceaselessly the message of inner sacrifice, inmost purity, and preservation of natural abundance and vitality of the earth.

3. Fundamental Duties in the Constitution enjoining each one of us to value and uphold the composite culture of our country, and to be inspired by the great ideals that led our National Struggle for Independence.

Together, these make an exquisite triangle encompassing all our National values, and FRNV draws its inspiration from this ocean of strength.

Foundation for Restoration of National Values

To instill the National bond of cultural values, and the cohesion in society that would ensure the fulfillment of our constitutionally enshrined “Fundamental Duties”, “Foundation for Restoration of National Values” was set up in June 2008. This Registered Society will strive to restore our time-tested National and Cultural Values, so that people, individually as well as collectively, find an abiding inner persuasion to be truthful, ethical, patriotic and committed to wholesome development, in their aspirations and goals.

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Aims and Objects of FRNV
(A Registered Society)

• To restore the National and Cultural Values of the country, so as to enrich and empower the Administration as well as its citizens.

• To institute and propagate, ethical knowledge and disciplines, especially Value-based insights, as applicable to all sections of people without any distinction of gender, caste, creed or religion,  with a view to promote and preserve individual, social and universal well-being, development, collective wisdom and peace.

• To imbue on the basis of our common heritage, moral and ethical values and principles, that foster civic sense, concern for others and the environment, in members of all sections of society without any distinction of gender, caste, creed or religion.

• To work towards the strengthening of ethical standards in the Executive, Judiciary as well as people’s bodies and representatives, and all other agencies that interface with citizens, and endeavour to inculcate standards, so as to enhance their ability to understand and serve the needs of society in a way that upholds and fosters the Greater Good.

• To stimulate awareness among all members of society, about the importance of the Duties of Indian citizens.

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FRNV’s Focus and Approach

Leaders and opinion makers from all walks of life and all sectors of society will be inspired so as to set in motion a collective, sustainable remedy to the value decline crisis at the National level.

As the crisis has its roots in the mind and intelligence, FRNV aims at stimulating change in the positions of responsibility, at a germinal level.

FRNV’s thrust is on National Values disassociated from caste, creed, gender and religion.

India’s legacy is a testimony to how enlightened ascetics have always disseminated values with great tenacity. Mahatma Gandhi’s spiritual and austere splendour, which breathed immense energy into the National Struggle, is an illustrious testimony to the fact. Spiritual Magnificence gracing Administration has always had an indelible impact. In conformity with this great tradition, FRNV derives its guidance from Spiritual Luminaries of the country.

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