Dr. Bharat Mody, an innovator and educator with over 40 years of experience in dental education, blends his scientific mindset with philosophical insight in Dharam Karya: An Ideological
Book. Drawing from Sanatan Dharma, he presents a visionary approach to reforming governance, education, and citizenship for a stronger, value-based India.
The Literature Times: What inspired you to write Dharam Karya: An Ideological Book?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Our day to day life is random without Philosophical concepts of Professionalism, Ethics, Integrity and Empathy. This book strives to get back the Sanatan Dharma—the eternal value system as guiding principle, into our life attitude and behavior. Sanatan means eternal, perpetual and infinite providing consistent, sustainable and impactful behavior. Dharma is way of life, value-based and safe methodology for all concerned.
The Literature Times: How do you connect the philosophy of Sanatan Dharma with modern governance and citizenship?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Today we have dissociation from Government, Citizenship and Judiciary. Without philosophy, ethics, impartiality our way of life becomes irrational, personality based or worse corrupt attitude develops. Today our Governance and Judiciary is based on Socialistic and secular, religion based or pseudo secular. This ethos rubs in into oir citizen who are more inclined to bend or disobey rules and regulations leading to not observing their duties. With great powers (Fundamental Rights) come great responsibilities (Performing one’s Duties to self and the Nation. An inclusivity of Objective laws, rules and Regulations. Nation is built on such frameworks or matrixes. If Governance obey Objective methodology, wasting or misdirected schemes can be avoided for smarter and effective governance and Judiciary. Citizens in such an ecosystem is, by default, molded to such a philosophy in their behavior and attitude. This is creating a Purusharth development under Sanatan Dharma as given in the Geeta teachings. Citizenship will have to be earned not given. (Needs a Sanatan Dharma Deemed to be University Development or establishment)
The Literature Times: In your view, what are the biggest challenges facing India’s education system today?
Dr. Bharat Mody: At the outset today’s education system is a legacy of the Macaulay’s system for Indians by the British to create job seekers rather than Entrepreneurs. British desired sub-servant workforce to manage our population.it was not education. We need to resurrect our old Gurukul education system to be relevant. Our education is lrgely industrialized rather than applicable to our youth and first comers in education. Moreover we use the pedagogy system with reachers specialized in different subjects (while expecting students to be all subject-knowing). We deliver lectures (bucket pouring) in “similarity-based” method. This does not bring equity on education we need to adopt Andragogy Principles especially for GenZ. Gurukul and Andragogy use Gyan Prastuti followed by Vichar Vimarsh (Blended and Flipped Classroom and Problem Based learning & discussion), Skill based Small Classrooms to create equitability. The course structure which to day is random should be from Easy to complex, novice to expertise development in Competency. The structure of NEP 2929 is still not implemented, instead few cosmetic changes have done withoit realizing the potential of our Education Policy. We still have a syllabus not a curriculum.
The Literature Times: How can the principles of Sanatan Dharma help restore integrity and professionalism in public life?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Public life is a mirror of the quality of its citizen, the components) forming the public life. The quality will only come if citizen adopt the righteous values of Sanatan Dharma. The Purusharth development is a way forward. Dharma is a correct way to live in freedom. Enjoying the freedom to live without harming others’ rights or their freedom. For example breaking as streetlight may be beneficial to you but could be harmful to others inadvertently.
The Literature Times: You’ve discussed “continuing colonialism” in the book — could you elaborate on what you mean by that?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Unfortunately, we got freedom physically but the mindset continues. It was perpetrated by previous successive governments. In education the methodology still follows the Macaulay’s system. In Judiciary and Governance, the exaltation to a Lords position both of Judges and elected Members remains a in colonial times. Our youth do not consider Indian as of any status but Westerners are always right and trendy. Respect for Bharat hasnot been allowed. It is only our current Military forays which has brought respect. Being proud to be an India is only now s being built. The stance of the present Government in foreign policy brings honour and respect back as Bhartiyas. If we build on this we can be a Nation not a mere country.
The Literature Times: How does your background in dental education and innovation influence your philosophical perspectives?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Regardless of what education one has achieved in terms of degrees through our system, philosophy is a personal pursuit. Unfortunately, Ethics have been systematically eased out from our learning. This has heralded moral decay. One has to, like me, be interested and understand theology. I was greatly influencec in philosophy through the author Ayn Rand’s books and podcasts. In science Carl Sagan and Issac Asimov were literally my Gurus with me being their Eklavya.
The Literature Times: What role should nationalism play in building a progressive yet value-based India?
Dr. Bharat Mody: If India becomes a Nation then it would be Bharat not India. India worf comes from Indus Valley civilization a small region of Bharat. It extending from United Kashmir to North East and Himalayas to Kanya Kumari. To be a Nation, our tradition and culture embodied by Sanatan Dharma has to adopted for that sense of belonging. Israel is the only other to be respected as a Nation. Japan and China are pretty close. Thus it is imperative to brin in Nationalism based on Sanatan Dharma as central Philosophy.
The Literature Times: Can you explain your vision of a “Direct Political Republic” and how it differs from the current system?
Dr. Bharat Mody: The current systems are based on Religion (Chrstianity—UsA, Uk, Vatican being central) or Islamic (Middle East, South East Asia), Judaism (Israel) etc. regardlss of the religion pursued ideologically the system is communist or socialist. This systems are vilent either at war or promoting war. A decadent society on the decline finally across the world. Look at USA, UK, France, Canada, Syria, Libya, Turkey and the ilk. Israel, Japan and China follow Judaism or Buddhism. Which is their Ethos. Indian Ethos is Sanatan Dharma hence following that this gives a sense of belonging which is fundamental to Nationalism. All these follow a system which they label as Democratic. Ideally Democracy means each elected representatives opines and votes by making their own opinions based on their personal research and knowledge on important matters. The two or more party system which evolved broke the democratic prices by introducing party wise voting. This created a numbers’ game and hence ineffective and lacks efficacy. The so-called party whip or “high-command wishes destroyed the democratic process. The worst was he people who elected were left out of governance. The cliché “Of, by and for the people” went out of the window. Democracy is reduced to a numbers’ game from value based governance. Direct political Republic gives the power back to the people by a referendum process where on important issues through referendum their vote is enough to pas a bill. This could be done by EVM use which already exists with Election Commission, postal ballot, email based secure voting are other options. Switzerland already has this methodology well entranced. This bypasses the elected members’ opinions or vested interests bringing in accountability.
The Literature Times: What practical steps can individuals take to embody the values of Sanatan Dharma in daily life?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Sanatan Dharma follows Philosophical principles whose pillars are Metaphysics (the reality), Epistemology (Knowledge), Ethics (value system and morality), Aesthetics (sense of beauty) and Logic (Reasoning ability). Citizens need to develop these to achieve Purusharth. Epistemology is learning the knowledge behind an issue learbt with self searching instead of depending on News, Media or Whatsapp University fake news. Be aware of AI reels. Once knowledge is achieved it needs to be veified (Epistemology). This can be done by exploring multiple sources internet, RTI or reliable sources. Then apply your sense of morality to decide correct and not viable. Then it should fit Bhartiya aesthetics (no skimpy clothes, denim use torn or full; drinking, foul language disrespect etc. Then comes the logical reasoning by comparing with events unfolding on National and International arena. These are the steps for decision making, voting and supporting.
The Literature Times: What message do you hope readers will carry after reading Dharam Karya?
Dr. Bharat Mody: Dharma Karya is based on research and explores the problems we face with concrete solutions. It creates awareness of te problems with solutions. If we have to usher in Ram Rajya understanding Dharam Karya is the stepping stone for heralding Nationalism and Nation Building. It has to be People centered not Government. We need to revolutionize Judiciary and Governance (Objectivism), resurrect Education, Restructure Integrative health care to be holistic, use Philosophical methodology reform Industry, Economics on Capitalism. The book urges all Indians to educate themselves so they can be instrumental in creating Ram Rajya and bring world peace. Know thy enemy and ways to cleanse the world through various means suggested in the book.
