“Character is Destiny” – S. Radhakrishnan

 

        “Character is Destiny” – S. Radhakrishnan

          Introduction

            Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a great scholar, statesman and philosopher. He was the president of India from 1962 to 1967. His birthday (5^th September) is celebrated as ‘Teacher’s Day’ to honour his distinguished service as teacher. He has written many famous works like Indian Philosophy, The Philosophy of the Upanishads and Eastern Religions and Western Thought. His “Character is Destiny” is an extract from The Present Crisis of Faith. In this essay, he brings out the importance of strong character with virtues like honesty, courage, truthfulness and discipline.

Science and Technology

Radhakrishnan says that all the movements that took place in other countries like renaissance, reformation, Industrial Revolution or Political Revolution take place simultaneously in our country. But if we want to bring social or economic revolution, he says that our universities should send out batches of scientists, technicians, engineers, agriculturists, etc., as they are important in shaping the economic character of our society.

Compassion and Democratic spirit

Though the advanced countries have seen the advancements in science, technology, they don’t have peace within their country. This proves that there is something which is more important than science and technology. Thus Radhakrishnan insists that the function of the universities is not merely sending the technically skilled men but it’s their duty to produce the quality of compassion in those competent men which will help them to treat each other with democratic spirit. He highlights the teaching of Upanishads - “Tatwa Masi” ,  and the teaching of Buddhism that each individual has a spark of divine within themselves.

Two valuable fruits

In this poisonous tree of worldliness, there are two valuable fruits – Enjoyment of great books and company of good souls. As the present generation are losing their habit of reading, they fail to get influenced by the great classics of our country. According to the author, it is the study of great literature, philosophy and religion that leads to the democratic spirit which changes the character of every individual. The great scientists, great technologies, great engineers of our country thus should be made into humanists. Becoming literate without compassion will make a person into a demon. So no university can be considered as true university unless they send out learned young men and women with compassion for suffering humanity.

Character is Destiny

            Radhakrishnan firmly believes that it is character on which the nation is built. Men of small character cannot make a great nation. We should do service with full heart and should not care for what we receive. In particular, the young men and women of the nation should develop this principle which will help in the shaping of the great nation.

Conclusion

In this essay, Radhakrishnan calls upon the young men and women of India to represent our culture which exists from the times of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. He concludes his essay by saying that the youngsters of the nation should bring honour to India with their clean, dedicated, noble and selfless work.