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Dr.Mathur,

Please find the following notes for the talks:

A] On Human Values:

Values are set of principles that people
cherish and try to live to enhance the quality of individual and collective
life. It involves personal and community disciple and
sacrifice/restraint/postponement of immediate gratification needs. Quality
of life is a product of physical, social, environmental, mental, and
spiritual health and wholeness.

1] Philosophical basis of Human Values-

What are the philosophical bases of Human Values? Theological, Ecological, Humanistic or survival of the race? Should values be based on reason and scientific knowledge; or pragmatic-
empirical-utility considerations like maximum happiness of maximum
people/common good etc.; or romantic ideals like equality, love and justice
for all; are values revealed by God or are they precepts of exemplary people
or self evident axioms?

2] The Vedic roots of Values-

The Vedic statements like 'Truth is One, but
paths are many', 'Truth alone Triumphs', 'All this is Brahman', ' World is
One Family',' Let Noble thoughts come from all sides',' Love/Non-injury is
the highest virtue', 'Thou art that',' 'Nishkama Karma, 'Loka samgraha',
will be explored in understanding the Indian ideals of Values.

3] Human Values for the Global society and trans-national person-

The entire historical experience of humankind is the common heritage of all humanity.
Nobody or no nation or no group or race can legitimately make any exclusive
claim to what is common heritage and was the result of intermingling of
ideas, people and movement of goods and services. This talk will be an
enquiry into what is common to humanity and values and make it available for
people with out prejudice and who want to unfold their hidden
potentialities.

B] Defining Development:

Industrial development based on scientific out look and productive power structures have created enormous wealth at least for 1/5 of the human race. It has been proved that we don't have to live in poverty, ignorance and illness. But the hidden cost of this development also
has been humongous. Stress, loneliness, violence, exploitation, disparities,
pollution, environmental degradation and dysfunctions and illnesses related
to these factors have taken away the sheen from the gains of unprecedented
economic development. It seems that economic development is not possible
with out exploitation, domination and violence and uprooting large masses of
humanity from their jobs and livelihood. There are three yard sticks to
measure growth- the GDP approach, the HDI and the PPP. Some people recommend
a new yard stick called Human Happiness Index or Quality Of Life Index. A
new approach and measuring rod to Human progress/ Development has become
necessary factoring all hidden costs and interests of all stake holders if
we have to correctly assess human condition and prescribe directions and
policies for the future Redefining the meaning of Development is the need of
the hour.

Swami Bodhananda.