"INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, ISC Indian Subcontinent Club, on 1991 April 1,

[Thirumala Raya Halemane]

"INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY", my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, ISC Indian Subcontinent Club, on 1991 April 1,  

In the 18 images here, we see, "INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY" 1/4/91, my talk at AT&T Bell Labs, ISC Indian Subcontinent Club, Holmdel, NJ, on 1991 April 1, and here below is an attempt to type out their contents

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"INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY", 

   1/4/91 talk at ISC, AT&T - BL, Holmdel

     T R Halemane

Figure with many concentric circles around individual at center,

I: Individual, F:: Family  R: Relatives & Friends

circles marked F, R, clubs, orgs, Communities, Nations, World

  An Individual has many layers of affiliation

  With each layer relationship is two-way (it has to be !!!)

   Responsibilities and Benefits

Individuals form groups

 Each group has its need / needs

  (e.g. language, culture, region, religion, ethnicity, form of worship etc)

 Stability of a group is determined by 

 1) harmony between individual and collective (team) behavior

 2) accommodation of the needs of the subgroups (or individuals) forming the group

 Needs conflict ==>> Disharmony

 Accommodation of all needs ==>> Harmony

Suppressed Needs

- Discontent

- Inferiority Complex / lack of self-esteem

- lead to future problems (ticking time bombs)

-  riots and killings

- after effects of slavery

 In any stable society (also harmonious) 

  the social culture must allow and support for all legitimate needs

 Each group must,  for best results

  encourage individual initiatives and exhibit supportive behaviors

U.S.Constitution guarantees

     Individual liberty

     Pursuit of Happiness

     Freedom of Religion

     Non-discriminatio (Equality)

It is each individual's, (and thus the whole society's) responsibility

- to derive benefits from above

= to ensure that the above items continue to hold

  and to work to make them stick

  (by example, by persuasion etc)

POWER OF COLLECTIVITY
 Collective Action = sum of Individual Action

 Collective Responsibility = sum of Individual Responsibility

 Collective Accomplishment = sum of Individual Accomplishment

 A coherent or constructive sum

  mekes 2 + 2 = 6 ! or 10 !

  (just like when amplitudes add in phase we get interference maxima for li)

BUILDING BLOCK MODEL FOR COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT

 Incoherent

   (bricks placed randomly)

 Coherent

   (bricks placed systematically)

Subdivide the tasks so that each piece is small enough to be handled by one individual

Make sure the pieces add in a coherent way

HOW TO FORM NEW GROUPS

(Potential Barrier Model)

a) Figure = New group formed from putting together members with other group 

     affiliations has its own (weaker) potential barrier within other groups' potential barriers

b) Figure = New group has formed its own potential barrier outside of other 

      inside subgroup potential barriers, so it is stronger now

Gods and Religion 

 - a practical view

  concepts developed by every society

  instills discipline, values, sense of responsibility

   (a form of individual and social "self-government")

  positive effect if used in the right way

  negative effect if used in the wrong way

  Religion and Philosophy, of course, venture deeper into these things

  Symbols enforce concepts

  (e.g., Holy Cow, Deity Worship) 

   (Idol),

But, after all, who knows, and, who can say

whence it all came, and how creation happened ?

The gods themselves are later than creation,

so who knows truly whence it has arisen ?

Whence all creation had its origin,

he, whether he fashioned it or whether he did not,

he, who surveys it all from highest heaven,

he knows - or maybe even he does not know

Role of Bhajans and Poojas

- induces peace of mind and concentration

- develops inner security, self-esteem and self-confidence

Festivals

- Time for fun, entertainment, family get-togethers

Stories and Epics

(In any religion, values are emphasized and inculcated throughstories and epics

"Are they facts ?" - may or may not be

- this is secondary

- enjoy the stories and the depth of their meanings)

ROLE OF SWAMIS

  They are teachers of Hinduism,

  Respect them as individuals and teachers, 

  just like a physics teacher is respected

  No subordination is warranted

  Remember that there are good teachers and bad teachers

HATCC MOTTO 

DO YOUR SHARE

(TAKE THE INITIATIVE)

(LAY YOUR BRICK)

PHILOSOPHY

- Establish a respectable, visible identity for Hindu Americana in the melting pot,

and make Hindu America part of greater America

- Make Hinduism a local religion in America,and make Hindus feel at home in America

- Make Hindu Americans control their own destiny instead of just letting it slip

HATCC OBJECTIVES

FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS

- Build temple and cultural center

   (including library)

- Exposure to Hindu Religion, Culture, Philosophy

   for ourselves, our children, and the local community

- Provide community service

   (Hindu & non-Hindu)

- Recreational facilities

- Cultural, Scientific, Educational Exchange programs with local schools and universities and with India

 

HATCC ACTIVITY COMPONENTS

 RELIGION AND CULTURE

  (POOJAS, BHAJANS, DANCE, MUSIC, SLOKA RECITATION, DRAMA. DISCOURSES, SYMPOSIA, SEMINARS)   

EDUCATION

  (CLASSES, CAMP, SEMINARS)

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

  ( SOUP KITCHENS, CLOTHES CHARITY, COUNSELLING)

PUBLICATIONS

  (MAGAZINE, POOJA & CAMP BROCHURES, BOOKS)

HATCC FUND RAISING COMPONENTS

* Gate Donations at Functions

* Pledge Drives at Functions

* Donations by Mail / Private Solicitations

* Advertisement Fees

* CORE CLUB

* Corporate Matching Fund

   (AT&T, Chemical Bank)

* United Way

* Pathmark / ShopRite Gift Cerificates

TIT-BITS

- POSITIVE ATTITUDE

- TAKE RESPONSIBILITY / DO YOUR SHARE

- DO NOT BE A COMPLAINER

   (TAKE ACTION)

- TREAT OTHERS LIKE YOU YOURSELF WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED

- IF YOU CANNOT GET WHAT YOU LIKE, LIKE WHAT YOU GET

- DEVELOP 'WORK IS GOOD' ATTITUDE

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[Thirumala Raya Halemane]