Respected Chair of the seminar titled ‘We Need Enlightened Human Beings’, invited speakers, and distinguished guests — my warm greetings and heartfelt regards to you all. Today’s seminar is a reflection of our collective civic consciousness. I feel deeply honoured to have the opportunity to deliver the keynote speech on such a timely and vital topic. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the organisers of this event.
Distinguished guests, the very moment we utter the phrase ‘We need enlightened human beings’, we are reminded, with deep respect, of the noble-hearted and pure-minded Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed. He frequently speaks about enlightened individuals, and the idea features prominently in all of his writings.
That is to say, a nation or a people can only become civilised and developed if it has a significant number of enlightened individuals. Therefore, to foster national progress, we must build an enlightened society.
In 1971, through a hard-fought war, we gained independence — a sovereign Bangladesh. We earned a glorious, radiant flag — a red sun against deep green — at the cost of many lives. Our freedom and victory came as a result of the shared aspirations and sacrifices of the entire nation. Since then, much time has passed. One generation has given way to another.
Yet the dream that the people once associated with the word ‘freedom’ has not been fully realised. The fate of the downtrodden in Bengal remains unchanged. Our social structure lies in disarray. Moral decay has gripped our society, and its manifestations are vivid and stark. This decline is impacting our youth, shaking their minds and moral compass.
Today’s young people lack role models, there are few truly great and inspiring figures to guide them. Everywhere, both at home and in the public sphere, we see a scarcity of humanity and compassion.
In our current social system, it is difficult to expect anything positive from the elder generation. They equate education with examinations and degrees, and define success in terms of wealth and power. As a result, young people find no higher sense of life or purpose in their education. They have no path of ideals to follow, no road of light. There is no national plan or vision to kindle a new sense of awareness in our youth. Consequently, they are steadily drifting toward further degeneration.
On the one hand, we face political turmoil; on the other, economic hardship. This has led to chaos in the education sector. Under the guise of social service, people are pursuing selfish gain and indulgence, which is leading the youth astray, drawing them towards darkness. Young people watch in astonishment as anti-social elements gain respect and influence in society, while the value of a knowledgeable and honest person is diminished. Integrity is scorned and helpless, conscience absent. Even the wise and learned accommodate them. They are the ‘right hands’ of political leaders. Despite committing heinous and ruthless acts, they are untouchable in the eyes of the law. The administration uses them as needed.
What is the source of their power? They kill with ease, engage in robbery, and spread terror in public life. Yet, with this capital, they become so-called respected members of society. Consequently, human and religious values have become secondary. In truth, the lack of moral values across all levels of society is having a devastating effect on our youth.
The entire administration has become a free playground for corrupt individuals — a cabal of certain politicians, bureaucrats, dishonest businessmen, and members of law enforcement agencies have seized foreign aid, occupied the lands and resources of ordinary people, rivers, canals, hills, and forests — all to feed their indulgent lifestyles.
And what of the once-hopeful youth of yesterday? After completing their education, they wither away without employment, clinging to a life of despair, exhaustion, and ruin. If such a disillusioned youth, lost in the maze of life’s failures, strays down a morally compromised path — either knowingly or unknowingly — who is to blame? Who takes responsibility for this?
Unemployment now afflicts nearly 40 million people. Only the sufferers know the true pain of such a curse. When a young person cannot find work even after completing their education, faced with hopelessness and financial hardship, what are they to do?
Who will show them the path of light? Who will take them there? Enlightened individuals are urgently needed in both our social and national life.
Distinguished guests, if we observe closely, we find unrest in every corner of our country. Everyone seems impatient, caught in some unhealthy competition. And yet, literacy rates have increased (64%), per capita income has grown (to $369), and there has been a modest rise in savings. Logically, increased education should have enhanced public safety and deepened social values. It should have accelerated social progress. But the opposite has occurred. We have seen a rise in terrorism, corruption, moral decay, uncertainty, restlessness, and poverty. But what has not increased is people’s sensitivity toward one another. Why?
If we seek the answer to that why, in a word — it is the severe shortage of enlightened and cultured individuals in society. To overcome this crisis, we must cultivate enlightened human beings, through whom we may achieve the enlightened society we long for.
To build a just society, we must steer our children away from this unhealthy competition — and this begins with parents and guardians. Arnold Toynbee and Daisaku Ikeda, in their book Towards a Creative Life, have stated that creative reading is essential to forming a healthy society and cultivating refined, cultured human beings. Alongside textbooks, our students must be encouraged to read creative literature.
Through creative reading, one can discover the path of light and shape themselves into enlightened beings. Since ancient times, idealists have been born to guide the world towards a civilised and harmonious society. Their ideals — to foster order, patience, love for nature, environmental consciousness — have all been recorded in books for the betterment of humanity.
Thus, when a person sharpens their intellect and soul in pursuit of refined knowledge and the mysteries of creation, they are awestruck by the beauty of nature. “He who loves all beings serves God Himself” — when this realisation arises from within, one person discovers it, another experiences it through reading. From person to person, environment to environment, society to society — ideas and knowledge flow through books and bring people closer together. Books play a direct role in organising and harmonising society, and reading habits can deeply entrench this influence.
The Chinese philosopher Confucius offered a worthy maxim: “Try to leave the world a better place than how you found it.” Distinguished guests, any animal can grow up to be just that — an animal. But becoming a true human being is not so easy. For that, we need the right environment, education, and continuous effort and practice. Among these, education is key. And for education, we need books — and books come from libraries. Thus, the role of libraries in shaping refined, enlightened individuals is undeniable.
People respect and love a cultured person — they do not fear them. Such a person can contribute profoundly to building society. For this, we need moral and religious education, for the driving force of human life is, after all, spirituality.
Today, enlightened individuals are urgently needed in both our national and social spheres. The combined effort of politicians, bureaucrats, judges, administrators, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals can help us rise from our current state. Therefore, there is no alternative to building an enlightened society for the development of our nation.
Dear members of the enlightened community, a few recommended steps to create enlightened individuals and an enlightened society may include — from early childhood, parents or guardians must strive to shape their children into true human beings…