Philosophy of Service: An approach to human development in India and the problems of our working class

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Publisher's Preface

This booklet, The Philosophy of Service-An approach to human development in India and the problems of our working class, comprises two illuminating talks given by Swami Ranganathanandaji, currently President, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. The first one was delivered at the Tilak Hall, Vidhan Bhavan, Lucknow on 2 April 1968, and second, at the Business Meeting of the Labour Forum, Hyderabad on 26 March 1977. These were then serially published in the Prabuddha Bharata issues of August, September, and October 1968, and, March and April 1978 respectively.

Herein the author discusses the subject of human development in India's post-independent social, economic and political context. The Swami draws our attention to the subject of man and the problem of inter-human relationship, advocating service as the finest form of inter-human relationship. The philosophy underlying service is that of man-making. This constitutes the awakening of dignity of men and women, and labour, based on the invariable factor of man's inherent divinity vis-a-vis other variable factors like economic and intellectual power, etc. The revered author clearly shows and foresees that the future glory of India, and for that matter, of any society, would depend on the progressive increase in the number of such dignified men and women. This extremely relevant topic has been presented in a way that evokes a response with a sense of urgency to usher humanity into new heights of glory. Besides this, those who are already engaged in the field of work or in the planning of activities for the uplift of our masses and the working classes will be highly benefited from a study of the book. It will widen their knowledge concerning the nature and temperament of our common people, the special nature of their problems and provide them with valuable suggestions towards the solution of their challenging problems.