‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ or ‘Sachchidananda’ is the Sanskrit compound form of the word, which can be translated as ‘Eternal Consciousness Bliss’ or ‘Absolute Consciousness Bliss’ or ‘Consisting of existence and thought and joy’. ‘Sat’ means Truth, Existence or Pure Being, ‘Chit’ means Consciousness, and ‘Ananda’ means Bliss. True to his name, Dr Sachchidanand Shevade, eminent thinker and orator of Maharashtra, is following the mission of preaching truth, awakening consciousness and bliss through pure thoughts. Dr Shevede, orator of International repute, is known for his electrifying lectures. An author of 50 books, a staunch patriot and a man making efforts ceaselessly to rebuild and reshape the lost glory of India, shared his journey of life with ‘The Hitavada’ in an interview, ahead of the release of his 50th book ‘Daavi Vishvalli’. In the interview, he spoke on various aspects including subversion of mind, how younger generation is becoming slave of artificial intelligence, and current situation in the country.

 

“In the era of information explosion dominated by social media, artificial intelligence has ruined human intelligence. As a result, the modern youths have stopped thinking. Subversion of mind is a result of the present education system which is lacking in inculcating morality, values, ethics etc. Unfortunately, Hindus have adopted the education system. As a result, Hindus have lost their cultural ethos,” observes Dr Sachchidanand Shevade. All other religions are maintaining their ethical values, but what happened to Hindus? What is the use of this education system, he wonders. Son of ‘Bharatacharya’ Prof Suresh G Shevade, who is also an orator, writer and patriot, Dr Sachchidanand Shevade also discussed political and cultural changes in India. “My father and mother experienced the pains of freedom struggle. In those days, Indians followed one mission of freedom of India. Protection of Indian culture, love and dedication for motherland, sense of responsibility towards family and nation were the source of inspiration,” he says. Great revolutionaries, spiritual leaders and eminent personalities in the society had united for one mission. During childhood, Dr Shevade’s parents and grandparents used to tell him stories of ‘Ramayana’, ‘Mahabharata’, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj etc. These stories shaped his personality. Now, the system of storytelling has been lost, he rues. Nuclear families and parents are busy earning money through jobs.

 

This has made children feel isolated, self-centered and detached from society. “In my childhood, I used to remember 100 to 150 telephone numbers. In this cellphone-dominated world, I cannot even remember my wife’s and children’s cellphone numbers. Machines have made us helpless,” he laments. “The education system has made people slaves of English. These slaves cannot understand our own 16 languages. Marathi people cannot understand Marathi and even they cannot understand what is between the lines, ridicule or irony of the world. The apathy for our mother-tongue will definitely lead to death of these great languages, if this continues,” he observes, with a tinge of sadness in his tone. Dr Shevade has handled all formats of literature. He has written novels, biographies, translations, stories, dramas etc, except poetry. He has an excellent command over Marathi language and literature. He has given over 5,000 lectures on History and revolution in India and abroad. He holds the unique record of lecturing on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the highest peak in Europe, Mount Titlis in Switzerland. He was convinced that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the inspiration for the revolutionaries in Maharashtra and also for the revolutionaries in other parts of the country.