Dayalbagh Educational Institute: Spearheading evolution from Homo Sapiens to Homo Spiritualis

Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi while addressing the gathering at the Annual Prize Distribution Function of Dayalbagh Educational Institute's (DEI) Technical College on May 21, 2003 stated that, “The vision of the Founder of Dayalbagh and this Technical College, His Holiness Sir Sahabji Maharaj, was to bring up institutions to serve as models to all those working for the uplift of humanity, whose alumni will be healthy and hard working, not shirk from manual labour and respect those who till and toil with their hands”. DEI continues to work on making this Vision a reality.

In our post today, we have Prof. Prem Kumar Kalra, the Director of Dayalbagh Educational Institute walk us through the approach of the Institute, its past, its present and what plans are there for the future.

Remain committed to selfless service.
Anurag

Dayalbagh Educational Institute:

Spearheading evolution from Homo Sapiens to Homo Spiritualis

Prof. Kalra writes...

The Dayalbagh Educational Institute was founded in 1917 as a co-educational middle school, the Radhasoami Educational Institute, by the August founder of Dayalbagh, Sir Anand Sarup. The Dayalbagh community emphasizes nurturing of one’s spiritual and intuitive faculties through Surat Shabd Yoga. Dayalbagh itself is a century-old, living example of cooperative co-existence, self-sufficiency and self-reliance, untouched by the swinging pendulum of inflation, and DEI was nurtured with these same set of values, practices and morals.

DEI: Hallowed Corridors of Learning

Foreseeing the challenges of the future, the founders of DEI emphasized skilling and the importance of working with one’s own hands. In 1917, an industrial park called Model Industries was established in Dayalbagh, which offered opportunities for apprenticeship to students at the middle school level, in addition to providing employment to the community’s residents. Vocationalization of skills was thus integrated into DEI education from its inception.

Skilling in the AAM Karkhana

In 1916, community-based farming was initiated on a small scale, which grew into full-fledged agricultural operations on 1250 acres of land by 1941. Daily field work is part of life for every member of the Dayalbagh community. Dayalbagh also set up Asia’s best Dairy processing plant in 1926, and these initiatives created a sustainable model of living and material minimalism.

Children of REI: Bonding with Mother Earth

DEI’s education is rooted in its Educational Policy of 1975, the Architect of which was Revered Prof. Makund Behari Lal Sahab, Himself an outstanding academician, teacher and educationist. An alumnus of Lucknow University, He went on to obtain the D.Sc. degree in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh and returned to Lucknow University eventually becoming its Vice-Chancellor. And through His dedicated effort, Government of India conferred the status of a Deemed University on Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) on 16th May, 1981.

The mission objective of DEI education is to evolve a complete person through physical, intellectual, emotional and ethical integration. The Policy, which is rooted in Indian culture, philosophy and spirituality, outlines how this may be achieved via its Aims & Objectives, Educational and Organizational structures.

The DEI Education Policy was a disruptive innovation in higher education and followed a systems approach that integrated social and environmental systems with formal systems of education. This allowed DEI to evolve at the pace at which social needs and the world order was changing. It benefited society at large by encouraging sustainable, frugal innovation through optimization of economy, energy and resources. The Education Policy also emphatically enunciated the centrality of values-based education and ‘excellence with relevance’, and this is practiced throughout DEI, from pre-primary to higher education.

Values instilled in our minds and inscribed on the walls of REI Hall

A unique aspect of DEI is the integration of education from pre-nursery to Ph.D. on the one side, and skilling to entrepreneurship as part of formal education on the other. The opportunity for mobility from general to skill-based education and vice versa through well-defined pathways has spurred creativity, frugal innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset in our students. Introduction of vocational courses (B.Voc. and M.Voc.) at Bachelor’s and Master’s level has taken skilling education to the next level. Synthesis of mainstream education and entrepreneurship has led to “Earn while Learn”, on-campus enterprises in dairy, food processing, automobiles, apparel design etc. These opportunities provide students with a means to support their education.

B. Voc. Dairy Students

DEI has created an ecosystem that encourages innovative ideas from young students on socially relevant problems, and we have tried to facilitate the transformation of these ‘idea quanta’ into frugal or jugaad solutions. We call this harnessing of small, frugal innovations ‘Quantum Jugaad’, and it has led to the creation of many student-run, on-campus enterprises. These naturally evolving, and exponentially growing student-run enterprises have given an entrepreneurial flavor to teaching and learning. But the meaning of entrepreneurship here is not innovation that leads to revenue-driven venture creation, but rather, the creation of value through social, economic or environmental ventures that benefit the lowest and the least among our masses.

DEI Quantum Jugaad: Incubating Nano Enterprises

Innovation, whether incremental, procedural, need-based or blue ocean type, always follows the SIGMA SIX Q framework of the Institute, which weaves six basic threads together, and emphasizes in improving the QUALITY(Q) of life. The sum (Sigma) of these six is greater than the individual parts. The areas are:

(i) Innovation including generation & use of renewable energy

(ii) Water quality

(iii) Air quality

(iv) Education and healthcare

(v) Agriculture and dairy practices

(vi) Quality and Values.

The Sigma Six Q Model

I would like to discuss here the link between innovation and system thinking in education. Innovation is not driven by technology alone (hardwired innovation); it can as well be driven by a change in one’s way of thinking, or through emergence of new knowledge, or even a change in the mindset that one brings to a problem (soft innovation). Educational institutes can innovate by providing new learning organizations and new pathways such as skill development and opportunities for analysis, synthesis, experiential experiments, teaching- learning methodologies and creative technological interventions. These then lead to innovative design of curricula, emergence of new knowledge and new pathways for student mobility. Ecology, energy and economy optimization too, are good reasons to motivate creative innovation. A combination of these ideas leads to frugal innovation that evolves continuously and dynamically over all time to come.

At the IITs, Prof. P. K. Kelkar introduced science-based engineering education that included social sciences. This approach gave young engineering graduates a wide knowledge base, and an edge in solving complex social problems economically, by using local resources. Prof. Mo Jamshidi of University of Texas, was of the view that methods of education must be refined and expanded to meet changing needs from a system to a system-of-systems vision, from a disciplinary to a multidisciplinary outlook, from a steady state to a real-time perspective, and from an optimal to an adaptive approach.

Innovative evolutionary approach in our education conforms to the philosophy of “Renaissance Man” by Prof. Jay W. Forrester of MIT, one who has broad intellectual interests and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences. Such a person tries to see common elements in diverse settings and thus creates transfer-ability between diverse structures, which is one of the hallmarks of the systems approach.

Norbert Wiener’s prediction in 1950 that electronic computers were capable of taking over many human decision-making processes has come true today, raising an array of crucial ethical and moral issues: Are humans in danger of becoming slaves to these machines? Will such machines have autonomous thinking and resultant morals, or will the designers consciously or unconsciously build into them their own moral values? And who we will turn to for proper answers? Prof. Rajaraman says that common-sense knowledge, religious beliefs, and consciousness will be the drivers, and we, at DEI, have set ourselves the huge challenge of not only instilling in our students the thought process to address social change, but also how to adopt and adapt technology to answer some of the questions raised above.

Under the guidance and direction of Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi the scientific study of consciousness and ultra-transcendental meditation is undertaken at DEI’s Centre for Consciousness Studies. Experiential knowledge of 150 years of spiritual practice by the members of the Dayalbagh community has given DEI a living laboratory to analyse the phenomena of consciousness practically, as also the effects of ultra-transcendental meditation. But this, much required discipline is yet to become part of formal education elsewhere.

'The Science of Consciousness (TSC)' Conference at DEI

DEI aims to become a leading research-cum-teaching institute in Consciousness Studies. In DEI this pursuit is carried out by bringing together teachers, researchers and students from various disciplines like psychology and cognitive science, physics, mathematics, life science, language studies, arts and music, engineering management etc. This truly trans-disciplinary study has unfolded many aspects of human behavior, psychology and functioning of the brain. Rigorous scientific research is being carried out to understand the experiential science through experimental techniques.

The Strategic Plan will be anchored by an accountability framework through measurable inputs and deliverables that monitor progress towards our goals. Over the next five years, building on our foundational strengths and propelled by the promises outlined in this Strategic Plan, DEI will emerge as an institute with excellence in specific disciplines and strong societal outreach that delivers holistic education to every learner.

Total Quality Management in Higher Education

The DEI will leverage its strength, taking advantage of the opportunities to overcome the existing weaknesses to reach the goals. We will allocate our resources in the areas that sets us apart and will align our future resources with the upcoming deliverables to become leading research and teaching institute in agriculture, entrepreneurship and consciousness while sustaining other areas of research in the institute. Learning ecosystem in DEI will be enhanced through experiential learning by connecting class rooms, labs and research to real world problems.

DEI’s Strategic Plan charts the distinctive course expected of an institution with a long and distinguished history. It builds on the traditions of excellence established by our founders, with a clear view of our strengths, opportunities and weaknesses.

DEI has chalked out a bold 15-year strategic plan (Vision 2031) and aspires to become an Institution of Excellence in the areas of Consciousness, Agriculture and Entrepreneurship. I do not think any other institute offers such a broad spectrum of integration on one platform.

We hope to help in the creation of a race of ‘Supermen’, who would be set apart from the rest of humanity, by their quality, character, behavior, values and ideals, and their desire to serve. The recent scheme of Evolutionary Superman (popularly known as the ‘Sant-Su Scheme’) for children of age 3-months to 3- years is the first step in this journey. As regular participants in the agricultural field work every day, these children gain good sanskaras from a very tender age. In 2018, we were happy to host them at DEI on our Founder’s Day, and we consider them our pre-pre-nursery students!

Supermen in the making: Learning to cohabit on our planet

Building Innovators and Creators: Tod-Mod-Jod

Gwynne Shotwell, the President and Chief Operating Officer at SpaceX, states, “You can't be on the cusp of innovation and at the forefront of technology if you're wearing blinders. If you don't have an exploration program where you're exploring your world here on Earth, underwater, and in space, then you're wearing blinders and handicapping yourself”.

Many of the programs at Dayalbagh and DEI are designed to get children to be early explorers. Our post today is on “Tod-Mod-Jod”, a program to build curiosity in children and help them become innovators, creators and inventors.

Happy Exploring,

Anurag

तोD-मोD-जोD

Education is the crucible in which innovations and creativity are nurtured. Promoting creativity and originality through our educational institutions is a first step towards broadening and deepening the impact of innovation in our society and economy. To foster creativity at an early stage and to encourage an innovative mindset in the learners, it is necessary to provide a hands-on learning environment where students can de-construct, re-construct or re-purpose everyday objects that they see or use.

Rationale

The innovative skilling initiative in Dayalbagh Educational Institutions is based on the concept of, “Tod-Mod-Jod” or “तोD-मोD-जोD”, i.e. learning through dismantling, joining, adding, assembling, shaping, designing, redesigning, reshaping. This method of learning is in contrast to the conventional training. तोD-मोD-जोD (TMJ) not only allows students to understand the scientific principles behind the everyday products they use, but also helps the students to expand their horizons to larger concepts and applications so as to enable them to solve real world problems. For instance, students typically do not know the inside of a ceiling fan, तोD-मोD-जोD (TMJ) session would help them to understand how mechanical airflow and electric concepts and components are used.

Description

Dayalbagh Educational Institute introduced तोD-मोD-जोD at middle school level for innovative and self-motivated students who want to create a new product out of those used in daily life. The teacher as mentor encourages students to follow their creative instincts. The feedback from students shows a complete change in their perception towards machines and devices. Curiosity and inquisitiveness are encouraged. These are critical for nurturing an innovative mindset. It is hoped that तोD-मोD-जोD centres will develop a way to excite and challenge young minds in a fun learning environment.

Impact

• तोD-मोD-जोD centre provides a hands-on learning environment where students can de-construct, re-construct or re-purpose everyday objects that they see or use.

• Helpful in establishing the concept of learning through “Tinkering”, “Discovery”, and Experimentation”.

• Early Start towards building a nation of creators not just consumers of products.

• Make education relevant, real and fun

Student Testimonials

• “Will always be curious on how what I use actually works”.

• “Connects multi-disciplinary concepts learnt in textbooks to real life applications”.

• “We want तोD-मोD-जोD classes every day”.

‘Glory be to the Aryas’! Supermen of Dayalbagh!

This week our post is by Dr. Bani Dayal Dhir, Assistant Professor at the Department of English Studies, Dayalbagh Educational Institute. Recipient of the Institute’s prestigious Director’s medal throughout her studies, her primary research interests include Literature and Systems Theory and Consciousness studies, exploring the application of Generalized Physical Systems Theory Modelling, Interpretive Structural Modelling, Quantum Theory and Science of Consciousness in the study of literature.

Dr. Bani writes...

In our life style of Better Worldliness, we require to awaken our inner spiritual consciousness where there is the kingdom of our Inner True Self, rather than the rule of and authority of mind, intelligence and matter alone.                     

                                                                        -Revered Prof. P. S. Satsangi Sahab

If the Greek philosopher Plato’s dream of an ideal Republic, over centuries, has remained a figment of imagination, the English humanist thinker,  Sir Thomas More’s ‘Utopia’ has remained ‘no place’, as the word etymologically stands for, His Holiness Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s Divine Dream of creating ‘Arya Nagar’, an ideal place on earth, has come into existence in Dayalbagh. 

“Arya Nagar” of Revered Sir Anand Sarup ji’s Dream: An Interpretation

In 1937, the August Founder of Dayalbagh, Revered Sir Anand Sarup (Huzur Sahabji Maharaj), gave a graphic description of the dream He had dreamt. The description of the dream is in the form of dialogue between Huzur Sahabji Maharaj and the Aryas of Arya Nagar. Marked by poetic prose, dramatic representation, and spontaneity, the narration engages the readers and instantly transports them to the world of Aryas.

In the dream a melodious sound of music engaged Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s attention. He took His walking stick and proceeded in the direction of the music. He saw a magnificent gateway tastefully decorated with two smaller ones on either side before which two giant elephants were dozing peaceably. Huzur Sahabji Maharaj describes:

At the gates pujarees sat singing to the accompaniment of music the glories of the Almighty. He proceeded forward to enquire into the matter and as soon as He came near the arch gateway, the gate keeper shouted the welcome, “Glory be to the Arya.”

“But! My good man,” Huzur put in, “I want to know who you people are, whence you come and what on earth you are after.”

“O Arya!” replied the gateman “we have been living here since time immemorial and are known to the world as 'Aryas'.”

As one reads the vivid description of the Holy Dream, one marvels at the resplendent colours of values, imbuing the lives of “Aryas”. The clash of power forces, the notion of “I above everyone”, the binary oppositions of ruler /ruled, self /other do not exist in Arya Nagar. Aryas are taught the value of ‘work is worship’. Huzur Sahabji Maharaj narrates his conversation with an Arya:

“What on earth makes you toil so hard, carpenter?” Huzur enquired. “But we are not carpenters", we are 'Aryas'. There is no other caste here besides the 'Aryan'”.

“There is no distinction of worldly position among us. We are all equal. Differences of avocation do not separate us from one another. Everyone is free to choose his own calling after his own aptitude, but we are also prepared to discharge other duties if and when necessity arises. We are all parts of a single machine. And have no individual locus standi. Everyone works for everyone else”.

Social monsters like pride, avarice, jealousy creep into the social structure when individual interests undermine the interest of the community. Increased appetites and addictions, alienation and isolation, tensions in diverse communities, the ‘hegemony of some’ give rise to socio-cultural and economic dichotomies, necessitating the formation of penal code. Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s Holy dream envisions a world where there is no penal code because the principle of equality governs Arya Nagar. The Aryas have conquered their selfish ulterior motives. To quote an excerpt from the dream: 

“How do you protect yourself from such social evils as greed, avarice, jealousy etc. and what punishment do you award to criminals?” Huzur enquired.

“Social evils are an impossibility here, and therefore we have no penal code. Such social evils can only exist when there is a clash of interests, and when we have no individual interests, such an eventuality is unthinkable”.

The dream abounds in literary beauty. It is layered with symbolic connotations. The dream is not a simple description of a colony called Arya Nagar and the multifarious activities and daily routine of Aryas. The dream unravels the birth of a new era in the history of creation. The dream is not a simple description of a small community of workers, but it has deep metaphysical concerns embedded in it. It is about achieving  true salvation and redemption from the world, its misery  and the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth in the fourth cycle of creation. To quote an excerpt: 

Presently, the ringing of bells proclaimed the procession of one which the tutor explained, was the Chief Arya of the day.

“But you said you had no leader,” Huzur reminded him.

“And I had spoken just the truth. We are a community of workers and the best worker among us is the Chief Arya of the day. He is seated on an elephant and taken in a procession round the whole colony.”

In the statement of the Arya “the best worker among us is the chief Arya of the day”, the  Chief Arya  refers  to the Spiritual Preceptor or Adept or Param Sant, Who is also the  Chief Mentor of the entire Arya Nagar and symbolically the entire creation.  The Chief Arya is one Whose spiritual faculties are fully developed  and Who is  always in unison with the Supreme Being and, thus, is in a state of “Param Satchitpremanandprakash Swaroopam”. The Aryas cannot steer their course across the ocean of the world without the protection, Guidance, Help and  Grace of the Chief Arya.

Aryas who are evolving as complete human beings by developing their physical, mental and spiritual faculties, learn the secret of the Supreme Being and ‘of the path and method of proceeding on that path’, under the Guidance of the Chief Arya. It is to be remembered that when Aryas perform spiritual meditational practices, they can ascend higher spiritual regions only when Chief Arya helps them and accompanies them  in the spiritual plane. The statement of the Arya “one who works the most becomes the Chief Arya” symbolically suggests the continuous working of the Chief Arya at the physical plane, at the plane of the Universal Mind, and the Pure Spiritual plane for the redemption of Aryas of Arya Nagar, thereby the entire creation. “One day” symbolizes one glorious era or a grand epoch of the selected Chief Arya.

Debates and discussions of all kinds have inundated the world since antiquity regarding the paths leading to salvation, and the usual solution offered  has been  ‘renunciation’, becoming an ascetic. Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s dream of “Arya Nagar” is a beautiful exemplification of becoming perfect human beings, ‘complete human beings’ without building a ‘hermit’s cave’ and leading the life of a recluse. The dream enunciates the nucleus of Radhasoami philosophy which unravels before the world “the New World order” advocating “better worldliness”. The Arya of Arya Nagar blossoms like a lotus , untouched by the polluted drops of the world, showcasing how to rebuild the world impregnated with new values and qualities, removing the filth and pollution of all kinds by remaining within the world, not by relinquishing it.  The social institutions are honoured but care is taken that the life of an Arya doesn’t get entangled  in the web of social associations and institutions.

Most Revered Prof. P. S. Satsangi Sahab defines the “New World Order”: 

“Better world order is an order in which the qualities and virtues of the spirit find the fullest expression. It is neither unworldliness nor hedonistic pleasure seeking worldliness. It focuses on physical, mental and spiritual developments”. 

Aryas are tutored to develop “inner discipline”, check over stormy passions, unformidable  desires,  rash impulsive judgements, instinctual behaviour , attachment  which are the root cause of misery and pain in the world. They tread the path of world with the “virtue of detachment”. The philosophy of Aryas  is that ‘so long one stays in the world one should have only that much concern with it that is necessary for living’. They learn to conquer the mind and remain detached by developing unshakable  faith in Lord while living in the world. 

Translation of Divine Dream into Reality: Aryas of Dayalbagh! Supermen of Tomorrow!

‘Arya Nagar’ is not the dream of a scientist or a philosopher of the world with flesh, bones and skin, but it is the dream of the Supreme  Lord; Who, Mercifully Willed to evolve and craft the race of supermen. Most Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab ,the Supreme Architect Himself, radiating Supreme refulgence and Mercy, has translated the Holy dream into reality by creating -  “Aryas of  Dayalbagh ! The Supermen of Tomorrow!”  

Wrapped in celestial light, under the "Superman Evolutionary Scheme of Satsang”, the ‘Aryas glorious in the might’ in the age group of 3 months  to  3 years,  ‘read the eternal deep’  under the Guidance of their Creator. In common parlance, the scheme has become popular as “Sant Su scheme”. Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab defines the Supermen of Satsang in the following words:  

“A complete man with balanced development of body, mind and spirit is  called a Superman. He will not come into existence in a day; he will evolve gradually as the human body  evolved gradually according to Darwinian principle. As is the case of the body, mind and spirit will also evolve gradually, and the spirit and mind will become so pure that a Superman will come into existence.”

Nietzchean, Shavian and Aristotelian Supermen versus Dayalbagh Supermen: A Comparative View 

The concept of Superman has found a direct or an indirect mention  in the philosophical texts since the time of Plato. Even as we move towards Indian civilization and explore the philosophical thought of Vedic culture or Upanishads, we may find references to Superman.

In 1883, the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche published a book entitled ''Thus Spoke Zarathustra'' (Also sprach Zarathustra). This philosophical treatise dealt with many of Nietzsche's ideas about the relationship between morality and humanity, and caught in the middle was the character of the ubermensch. This figure is called the “overman” or by some ‘superman’. Nietzsche urged people : 

“Behold, I teach you the Übermensch. The Übermensch is the meaning of the earth. Let your will say: the Übermensch shall be the meaning of the earth! I beseech you, my brothers, remain faithful to the earth, and do not believe those who speak to you of otherworldly hopes.”

Nietzsche was the proponent of the philosophy of ‘nihilism’ which dismissed the existence of moral truths. Nietzsche visualized an atheistic vision where Christian Church was an institution that created morality in order to subjugate the masses. In the Nietzschean  worldview, the ubermensch is the person who considers the society's definition of morality as biased and socially-constructed. Denouncing the morality dictated by institutions like the Church, the ubermensch  creates his own morality, based on his own experiences  which is grounded in this secular physical world. Nietzsche believed that ubermensch would derive deep sense of morality, a steadfast purpose by evolving his own moral code. He argued that In this enlightened position, the ubermensch would be dedicated solely to the advancement and betterment of humanity. 

Dismissing  Nietzschean  belief  that a single, universal morality, giving humanity a purpose, is an illusion and  mankind has to reinvent new morals based upon Godless reality, we in Dayalbagh are reinventing mankind as also a new world, by evolving the race of supermen, who resonate the message of “Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man”. Most Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab explains ‘Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of man’ : 

“Supreme Father is the fountainhead, the reservoir of the spirits; the spirits of the jivas are His parts. In this way they are born in this world as His sons and daughters. They are only rays of that source.”  

The English playwright George Bernard Shaw propounded his theory of Superman in his famous play Man and Superman. In Act lll of the play , Jack Tanner, the protagonist  has a dream where he appears as Don Juan, the man of moral passion. He engages in dialogue with three characters where speaking for Shaw, Tanner as Don Juan monopolizes the scene with lengthy monologues. The English playwright George Bernard Shaw propounded his theory of Superman in his famous play Man and Superman. In a kind of Platonic dialogue, Don Juan, the mouthpiece of Shaw, argues that the ultimate goal of man’s life is the cultivation of intellect, for only by exercising it dispassionately, can man discover his purpose, and discovering it, fulfil it. The Superman from Shaw’s play possesses - superior intellect, cunning and intuition, ability to defy obsolete moral codes and Self-defined virtues. Shaw believes in “creative evolution” which can be made possible by deliberate breeding and careful nurture, than the hazards of natural selection. According to the playwright, the institution of marriage slows down the evolution of the Superman. Shaw perceives marriage as old-fashioned and far too similar to the acquisition of property. Contrary to this negative view, Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s dream presents an ideal concept of marriage being practised in Arya Nagar. To quote from the Holy dream of Huzur Sahabji Maharaj: 

“The conversation however revealed that marriage institution though existent, was a very simple affair in the colony. Since the Aryas aimed higher than worldly pleasures, and never kept idle, their hearts were pure and their character unblemished. Husband and wife complemented each other in their work. In the event of external aggression every child was prepared to lay down his life for the protection of the colony.”

Explaining how the concept of Superman in Satsang differs from Nietzschean and Shavian concepts, Revered Prof. P. S. Satsangi Sahab writes:  

“But in Satsang we believe that as far as the spirit entities are concerned, all of them came into existence at the beginning of the creation itself. They were allotted abodes in accordance with the initial load of their karmas in Brahmand and Pind. Those spirit forces that were retained in the Nirmal Chetan Desh became blissful forever. There was no evolution in spirit forces. If at all there was any evolution it was in the physical or mental bodies or covers that the spirit forces assumed. That evolution is continuing.”

Aristotle brings out his concept of ‘magnanimous man’ in  his  famous work Nicomachean Ethics, which defines Aristotelian ethics. The treatise is considered one of the most important historical philosophical works. It deals with the well-known Socratic question “how men should best live”. Aristotle’s discussion becomes significant because it is not mere  contemplation about good living, but it also aims to create good living. He visualizes a “magnanimous man” who can be considered a “superman” possessing  the following  qualities :

“He does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life--knowing that under certain conditions it is not worth-while to live. He is of a disposition to do men service, though he is ashamed to have a service done to him. To confer a kindness is a mark of superiority; to receive one is a mark of subordination...He does not take part in public displays... He is open in his dislikes and preferences; he talks and acts frankly, because of his contempt for men and things... He never feels malice, and always forgets and passes over injuries... He is not fond of talking...”

Nevertheless, Aristotle’s magnanimous man, in pursuit of good living, is not away from ‘egotism’ which is the cause of several social evils. Aristotle considers conferring kindness as a mark of superiority, but receiving as a mark of subordination. As opposed to this view, ‘humility ‘ is the distinguishing quality of Dayalbagh Superman who is taught to behave in an extremely humble manner. Pointing out the difference between the Aristotelian magnanimous man and Dayalbagh Superman, Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab states: 

“One may not like to be shown mercy by anyone else but one should beg for mercy from the Lord Almighty. Accordingly, if one is free from egotism, one would not be shy to beg for the mercy of Radhasoami Dayal. What ever our Superman may be, he would behave in an extremely humble manner.”

We must remember that the wait for the arrival of Nietzschean ubermensch, Shavian and Aristotelian Supermen has become very much like “Waiting for Godot”. These are prophetic elements in their philosophies. They believed that their superior men will one day appear to save the world, but are not, yet, persons who live or have lived amongst us. There is no existing model to emulate. Huzur Sahabji Maharaj’s Superman is already evolving in Dayalbagh, it has not remained a far -fetched utopian dream.

Aryas of Dayalbagh Experience Unique Sigma Six Q way of Dayalbagh life

‘Aryas of Dayalbagh’ experience the unique Dayalbagh way of life which  promotes better worldliness, not renunciation. Contextualizing the Dayalbagh model in the modern scientific perspective, Most Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab terms it “Sigma Six Q Model”. He explains that “Q’ stands for quality and ‘sigma’ refers to the interaction among all the six qualities. Revered Prof. P.S. Satsangi Sahab foregrounds six qualities integral to Dayalbagh way of life- Innovation in terms of modern technology, Air Quality, Water Quality, Quality of Education and Healthcare, Agriculture and Dairying and Value Based Education.

It is worth a mention that the Aryas of Dayalbagh are connected to the kinetic state of Dynamic Equilibrium. The Supermen of Dayalbagh are imbibing the highest value and quality system engrained by the Supreme Saints. The Radhasoami philosophy puts forth the notion of bipolar system.  There were two poles. The North Pole was an infinite monolith with all spirituality, values and qualities and South Pole is the present creation where we are living. In the pre-creational state, North Pole was in the state of zero meditation and South Pole was in the state of somnambulance. The south pole was not  aware of the values and qualities embodied in the North Pole. The Creator, Who was in a state of self absorption, Willed to establish a link with South Pole, by moving from potential qualities and values to kinetic values and qualities. I state with pride that the Supermen of Dayalbagh are evolving in a set -up which partakes the qualities and values of the  Highest spiritual  Region by being with their Supreme Creator all the time, in His Blissful association in the Garden of the Merciful.

Along with all good qualities endorsed by philosophers, the Superman of Dayalbagh is also learning the new polity of Satsang i.e. the principle of administration of inner self.  The Supermen of Dayalbagh are growing up in an ambrosial environment, practising Radhasoami spiritual  philosophy, which teaches the new method of devotion of uniting the spirit with the spiritual sound current.  He is taught to develop true devotion, springing directly from feelings of love for the Supreme Lord, and not out of greed or fear. By developing this true devotion they become humble, away from egotism, with the spirit  of  complete surrender before the Divine Will. 

Away from the early morning slumber, lethargy, the innocent little supermen wake up even before we hear the cock’s shrill clarion. They leap up in the mother’s arms indicating in their lexicon that ‘their day has begun’. These tiny tots, following the “Dayalbagh Way of life” are taught to pray regularly  with devotion for the purification of the body, mind and spirit.

Huzur Sahabji Maharaj revealed that the Aryas of His dream were not bound to any particular place, “blue sky was their roof.” The Holy dream is now being realized with the Aryas of “Sant Su Scheme” in Dayalbagh who are blossoming as Supermen, not in an artificial environment, but in the labs of nature, soiling their hands cheerfully, securing true surrender and true humility by performing sincere self- service. Neither the heat of summer; nor the chill of winter; nor the lashing rain can deter the little supermen.  Working in the agricultural fields in the early morning with their beloved Supreme Lord at work Himself, they develop the spirit of brotherhood of man, societal commitment, discipline, ability for hard work, selfless service to society, humility, co-operative spirit and dignity of labour. 

Blue Sky is the roof of ‘Aryas of Dayalbagh’ 

The supermen are complete humans, thus participation in musical and other cultural activities is encouraged to humanize them. It’s a pure delight watching these budding supermen learning languages like Sanskrit, English and Hindi at the DEI  (i-c-n-c) TALL as part of the early language enhancement skills.  

   

‘Aryas of Dayalbagh’ participating in cultural programme

Supermen of Dayalbagh at (i-c-n-c-) TALL DEI learning Sanskrit rhymes

Whether it is early morning and evening prayer or working in fields or rendering security duties in the Dayalbagh colony in the scorching heat of May and June or participating in cultural activities or recitation of devotional lyrics, their smiling faces, twinkling eyes, loud musical shouts of joy, swaying hands leave even their parents speechless. 

As we watch the  ‘Aryas of Dayalbagh’, we  celebrate with William Wordsworth the childhood glory, ‘the soul’s immensity buried within the tiny frame’  always  connected with the Divine:

Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! 

On whom those truths do rest, 

Which we are toiling all our lives to find, 

In darkness lost, the darkness of the grave; 

Thou, over whom thy Immortality 

Broods like the Day, a Master o'er a Slave, 

A Presence which is not to be put by; 

Thou little Child, yet glorious in the might, 

Of heaven-born freedom on thy being's height.

Conclusion

I conclude with deep conviction that the little Aryas, leading the ‘Sigma Six Q way of Dayalbagh life’, would convert the world into a big Arya Nagar. The conversion of the world into a big Arya Nagar is the only elixir to redeem the wailing humanity, wreathing  in the cage of casteism, racism, materialism and sectarianism.

Further, contextualizing the Supreme Saint’s dream in the era of Superintelligent machines, I assert that the supermen endowed with qualities and values, engaged in a new method of devotion, spreading the message of ‘Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man’ would control and prevent the misuse of Superintelligent machines, thus bringing respite to the anxious and worried scientists, about “Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Max Tegmark, 2017)”. The machines developed by supermen, through coordination, innovation, qualities and values would be beneficial for the society and mankind.

As “The Aryas of Dayalbagh, the Supermen of Satsang” march ahead with heads held high, spreading light in this dark world, they have on their lips, the following words of their Creator:

“Let there be the Kingdom of the Spirit,

Let there be the spirit’s empire!

Let there be the Empire of the Supreme Spirit!”  

(i-c-n-c) TALL - Humanizing Technology

This week our post is by Dr. Bani Dayal Dhir, Assistant Professor at the Department of English Studies, Dayalbagh Educational Institute. Recipient of the Institute’s prestigious Director’s medal throughout her studies, her primary research interests include Literature and Systems Theory and Consciousness studies, exploring the application of Generalized Physical Systems Theory Modelling, Interpretive Structural Modelling, Quantum Theory and Science of Consciousness in the study of literature.

Dr. Bani Dayal Dhir is the Coordinator of (i.c.n.c) TALL, Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI).

Dr. Bani writes...

DEI - iNFORMATION-cOMMUNICATION–nEURO-cOGNITIVE Technologies Assisted Language Lab, (i-c-n-c) TALL: An Overview

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both,

And be one traveller, long I stood,

And looked down one as far as I could,

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

…

I shall be telling this with a sigh,

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less travelled by,

And that has made all the difference.

The oft quoted symbolic poem of American poet Robert Frost underlines the dilemmas and conflicts we frequently confront while sailing on the vast ocean of life. Just like the speaker in the poem, how often do we speculate whether to go with the mainstream or off the beaten track, selecting an unusual and unknown path!

My intellectual journey in  the Garden of the Merciful, Dayalbagh, treading the path ‘unknown’ and ‘alien’  to the ‘coarse world’ has ushered in unquantifiable ‘difference’ and ‘change’ in my life making me nod in affirmation with Frost- “I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference!”. In today’s fragmented and turbulent world, the value based education system of  Dayalbagh, aiming to evolve  a Total Quality Person, not just a ‘soulless  intellectual being’, can only bring   ‘change’ and ‘difference’ in the lives of people and the world. Dayalbagh Educational Institute has a blessed vision!  I recall the proclamation of the August Founder of Dayalbagh, His Holiness Revered Sir Anand Sarup ji that ‘a university is expected to teach universal knowledge’ and it is this education Dayalbagh is aiming at.

The establishment of “iNFORMATION-cOMMUNICATION–nEURO-cOGNITIVE Technologies Assisted Language Lab”, popularly called “(i-c-n-c) TALL” at Dayalbagh Educational Institute illustrates this pursuit of Universal knowledge in Dayalbagh, with its unique blend of humanities and  technology. Surrounded by tall trees and lush green lawns, clad in green hue, the lab becomes an ideal place for learning and disseminating knowledge. I take this opportunity to mention that a few months back,  I came across an interesting  newspaper report which mentioned how a group of Tirunelveli based academicians had embarked on ‘landscape mission’ to give lessons on literature.  Similarly, I feel, amidst pristine nature, learning languages would become more motivating and animating with nature’s  purity and serenity impressing  ‘deep thoughts’ and ‘blessed mood’.

As the coordinator of the ‘one of its kind’ Language Lab cum Research Center, I deem it my proud privilege to present here a brief overview of the facilities and mission objectives of the lab which is ‘for all’.

(i-c-n-c) TALL facilitates  teaching and learning of various languages using technology and also promotes interdisciplinary research in the realms of consciousness, literature, language learning and teaching. It is  a central teaching cum interdisciplinary research Center of the Institute which functions in conjunction with the Centre of Consciousness Studies DEI.  State-of-the-art teaching spaces, rich software resources and expert support personnel together make the DEI (i-c-n-c) TALL a dynamic and highly efficient teaching and learning facility. It is the multilingual computing and assessment hub of the Institute with reliable audio and video recording capability, foreign language digital media content, and software images.

Facilities and Resources:

• Main lab with 25 computers, 3 class rooms and one lecture Hall. 
• A network of computers, server with appropriate application software (Instructor server / Student Client).
• Orell Digital language Lab software, installed at  i-c-n-c Tall, facilitates the learning of any language effortlessly. The software has the following features: 
• ASL- Tool to assign speaking and listening activities to students
• Intercom- Enables two-way communication between the teacher and students
• Live Classroom-   It performs live classes and allows evaluation of students' learning activities
• Lesson Studio-  It allows teacher to create study materials in video, audio and text format.
• e-Writer - It is used to  assign writing assignments to students
• e- Reader - It is used to send reading assignments to individual or group of students.
• Screen Viewer - Teacher can capture the students' screen and monitor their activities even without their knowledge.
• Model Student - With this feature we can select a student as a model for other learners to view the assignments submitted by the model student.
• BillBoard - It is used to write news or information for students
• Alert - It is an aid for students to call the teacher
• The lab is also equipped with LED Projector WXGA, Projection Screen, smart boards, 49” LED LFD Displays, Lumens Document Camera, Digital Podium with control panels, Sony VCU Camera, Audio System with Speakers and Microphone, Audio Mixer
• The lab resources are not only available on-campus, but can be accessed and used off-campus.
• The lab is used not only for teaching English, but it is used for teaching Indian Regional languages and other foreign Languages as well.
• Artificial Intelligent  tools  like “Chat Bots” are also available. The following Chat Bots are currently being used:
• Alice ESL Bot is useful for Practicing English.
• Leslie Linguo is an ESL-oriented chat robot and dictionary with text-to-speech feature  to practice oral and written communication in English.
• ESL Robot lets one practice English.
• Andy Bot is a friendly robot which can be used by beginners to converse in English. One can learn language by actually using it in a conversation. One can take grammar lessons and learn new words every day! 
• The lab is equipped with Two ‘Multilingual Electronic Translators – ECTACO 500 AL’. ECTACO 500 AL is one of the best translators available in the world because  of its ability to translate numerous languages on the fly.
• The Lab has access to various useful links, websites, and apps for language learning. For example – British Council online tools, ESL Gold, ESL.net, 101 Languages of the World, Sanskrit learning tools, Online Sanskrit Sandhi tool, Online Sanskrit newspaper, Online Sanskrit dictionaries, Online Sanskrit Newspapers, Sanskrit thesaurus, Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary, http://lexica.indica-et-buddhica.org/dict/lexica, Monier Williams Online Dictionary [English to Sanskrit], Sanskrit OCR tool. 

(i-c-n-c)TALL - Sanskrit  Teaching and Research

One of the primary objectives of (i-c-n-c-)TALL is to  conserve and disseminate the treasure of Sanskrit language, the language of Devas, language of transcendental consciousness by using ICT. It is aiming to promote man – machine interaction, natural language processing with reference to Sanskrit, including  spoken Sanskrit to make it once again the dominant language of the world. This multi-cultural and multi-lingual lab cum research center would also motivate Sanskrit scholars to pursue research in neuroscience, cognition, computational Sanskrit and Science of Consciousness using EEG, MEG and fMRI  installed at DEI.

While referring to Sanskrit language, I am reminded of Albert Einstein, who, once tried talking in Sanskrit to Dr. B.N. Gupta, an Indian scientist. Dr. Gupta’s confession that he did not know the language left Einstein stunned and his instant response was: 

“You hail from India which is the home of Hindu Philosophy, yet you have not cared to learn that language. Come along, see my library which treasures classics from Sanskritam.”

With immense delight, I also state that we are in the process of developing a Digital Library for Sanskrit Texts, Scriptures and other literature along with English and other languages to open up a huge ocean of knowledge  hidden in Sanskrit compositions and treatises  composed centuries ago. Sanskrit Language Learning material is being prepared by DEI Sanskrit Department. The Content includes Listening comprehension exercises, videos of short stories (Panchatantra  etc.), narration of the shlokas of the Bhagvadgita and their explanation, grammar, essays on a variety of topics, videos  for conversation, etc. We propose to run short term certificate courses in Spoken Sanskrit and they can be also run in distance mode. Researchers have observed that as compared to other languages, Sanskrit has many advantages for computer processing due to its structural properties. Through Sanskrit language teaching and research at (i-c-n-c) TALL, we are making a humble effort to open up a huge  ocean of  knowledge  in different areas hidden in Sanskrit compositions and  treatises composed centuries ago. I quote here the following observation of Paul Kiparsky, Emeritus Professor at Stanford University,

“Many of the insights of Panini's grammar still remain to be recaptured, but those that are already understood constitute a major theoretical contribution.” 

Virtual Lab for Vocational  Electronic Centre for Cultural Studies in DEI

This Lab would be developed as a unique place where skill based vocational courses  are proposed  to be  launched to provide “linguistic - technical competence” to all, thus helping people earn livelihood and also fulfilling the needs of the country. Vocational programmes such as Creative writing and Digital Skills, Communicative Skills, Translation, Certificate /diploma courses in speaking &writing other Indian and foreign languages are proposed, blending beautifully ‘Power of Man’ and ‘Power of Technology’. All vocational programmes, short term certificate programmes including lab facility will be available off campus as well so students and faculty at different places may make optimum utilization of the rich lab. Conforming to the mission objective of DEI, in the words of Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab is transformation of India to a knowledge society, the learning at Lab aims to make people skilled to lead a better life. In this context it would not be inappropriate to quote the following observation of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan: 

“India is a free nation but it will be free in true sense only  when  each Indian will have employment and shelter.”

Most Revered Prof Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab in his address at the inauguration of Distance Education Programme at MTV Puram enlightened:

“Now we switch from the top down and bottom up approach to the middle out approach for management and planning of education. And it is at the middle level of vocational education that we are making a beginning here. Primary level education is already established. The top level is already there in the form of Satsangis here.  So we now go to the middle level and we use the middle–out approach of linking it to the bottom level providing the children with the Primary  education at the present and then moving out towards the top and providing inter-linkage with the spiritual education. So that is how the whole education system will get completed and will have the realization of the University in Satsang in the true sense.”

Reinforcing  the lofty ideal of ‘self-reliance’, inspiring each one saying, “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string”, our humble endeavour is to make everyone realize, in the words of  Ralph Waldo Emerson, “the power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried.” Adequate exposure to state of the art technology and ‘hands on experience’ to “each and all” will make them competent to work in various capacities in various organizations and even motivate them for self- employment.

Research in Psycholinguistics: Researchers from DEI Psychology Department  have proposed to conduct experiments exploring the linguistic competence of learners. They have proposed to pursue studies in the areas of memory, attention, perception, speech disorders, slow learning. In collaboration with Psychology department tests are proposed- Boston naming test, (BNT), Clinical Evaluation of Language Functioning (CELF), Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Multilingual Aphasia Examination, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), Test of Written language (TOWL) etc.

Upliftment of underprivileged children:  It  is one of the mission objectives of the lab cum research center to impart training and education to the tribal and rural children and adults.  Special  language  learning  programmes  are proposed to be launched for socially and economically deprived strata of the society. The lab would initiate such programmes for the children of Rajaborari, Murar and MTV Puram. 

On- Going Interdisciplinary Research Initiatives and language teaching Programmes at (i-c-n-c) TALL: A Bird’s Eye View

• In collaboration with Center for Consciousness Studies experiments in Neuroaesthetics to study the impact of various literary texts on human brain and also personality using MEG. The results were presented at the international conference “The Science of Consciousness”, Tucson, University of Arizona held  in April from 25-30, 2016.
• The Department of English is running  four compulsory lab courses as part of the undergraduate English programme. The students are evaluated on the basis of the practical assignments done throughout the semester covering four important skills – reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• The Department of Sanskrit has launched the Sanskrit Work Experience Course for undergraduate students. 
• The Department of Hindi has launched Hindi tutorial class for undergraduate students.
• One of the unique features is the launch of English lab classes for the children of  DEI Primary School from class 1 to 5.  It’s a delight to watch these  kids operating the software efficiently and  learning  English. Apart from Dayalbagh Primary School, the students of class 6,7,8 of DEI Prem Vidyalaya and DEI REI Inter College are also having their regular English lab Classes.
• The syllabus of English lab classes has been designed in such a way that it integrates the topics done in the traditional lecture method in the class room. The lab classes reinforce their learning through interactive method, speaking and listening activities. At the same time ,they also get an opportunity to learn useful additional topics.

• Classes of  Dayalbagh School of languages have commenced successfully. 
• A One Week English proficiency Course is  organized  every year at ( i-c-n-c) TALL during winter camp at DEI. 
• Experiments in Language and Psychology by the Department of Psychology. 

The lab cum research center at Dayalbagh functions with the noble objective of ‘humanizing technology’ not ‘technology technisizing human’.  To recall the words of Most Revered Dr. M. B. Lal Sahab,  the founder of Dayalbagh Educational Institute:

We should try to see that the modern trends become only supplements and not substitutes of our basic concepts of education. We do not like to put the clock back but would certainly do well to introduce a more human and realistic approach to education to meet the present day needs of society.

In an age when man is becoming an automaton with the displacement of  the qualities of humility, love and generosity, plagued by the Frostian dilemma – which road to travel? Making choices on the basis of short term myopic considerations, I believe learning humanities in the Technology Assisted Language Lab (TALL) will enable children  evolve and grow TALLER  and reach the Zenith with the blend of scientific temper and humanistic spirit. In his latest book entitled, Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (2017), Max Tegmark raises concerns regarding human life in the age of technology. As ‘(i-c-n-c) TALL’ envisions the era of Superintelligent machines, it also follows the enlightening guiding lines of Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab that the Superintelligent machines developed with innovative qualities and values alone can be beneficial. He also observes that the misuse of Superintelligent machines can be prevented by developing supermen endowed with values. While imparting linguistic- technical competence within the Value-Based Education system of DEI, (i-c-n-c) TALL endeavours to exemplify the unique ‘Dayalbagh Way of Life’. The relation between “quality of life” and “quality of education” has been elucidated by Most Revered Prof. Prem Saran Satsangi Sahab through His model of “Sigma Six Q Way of Dayalbagh Life”.

As we march ahead with firm conviction, reverence and humility to translate the lofty vision of making (i-c-n-c) TALL a unique learning and Research center in the world, I place the following prayer, by Robert Browning, at the Lotus Feet of Supreme Lord Almighty:

Take and use Thy work:

Amend what flaws may lurk,

What strain o' the stuff, what warpings past the aim!

My times be in Thy hand!

Perfect the cup as planned!