- It’s crucial for the wealthy to recognize that laborers are an integral part of society. Without their hard work and effort, many tasks would be impossible to complete. It’s essential to acknowledge their importance.
- The rich often don’t understand the laborers’ way of life, as they might be distanced from physical work. They need to learn and appreciate the laborers’ culture, values, and beliefs.
- A good example is in Mumbai, where one should build a Ganapati temple to foster a sense of belonging and community among the laborers. Visiting their homes during Diwali and giving them gifts can be a way to connect with and respect their culture.
- Industrialists in certain areas may not be familiar with their laborers’ culture, beliefs, and practices. It’s important to invest time in understanding these aspects to build a more harmonious and productive relationship.
- Generosity and kindness go a long way with laborers. By sharing a cup of tea with them, forming personal connections, and showing respect, they can become dedicated and loyal workers. However, treating them with arrogance and condescension can create resentment and conflict.
- Laborers often have large hearts and appreciate simple gestures of friendship. Developing a genuine connection with them can lead to lasting loyalty. Treating them with respect and kindness is essential in maintaining positive relationships.
- Enlightened entrepreneurs understand the value of connecting with their laborers, learning about their culture, and treating them as essential members of the business. Such entrepreneurs create harmonious work environments and are more successful in their endeavors.
Shri Mataji Lecture Extract:
That is why you see now a days we have many unemployed peope.There are many rich people here and also poor. When I listen to the problems of the rich I feel that they have problems similar to what the poor have. The rich say, ”Mother in this place we have a lot of labour problem and that is why our factories are closed”. But the rich should know that the labour is part and parcel of them. You cannot do anything without them. You don’t know how to do any work – just come by a vehicle and sit on the chair. What have you done for the labour? Everything cannot be solved with money. They raise a flag, you give them money. Then they again raise a flag and this goes on. Have you done something for their welfare? First learn their culture. In Mumbai I told someone that if you want to get work done from Marathis first build a Ganapati temple here. Visit their houses during Diwali and give them some gift. First learn their culture.
In this place there may be Industrialists who do not know their culture. What are their beliefs, what is accepted in their culture? We should understand these things. The rich here who run big businesses, when they help the Bengalis, I recognised them in a minute. The labourers are very large hearted that if you have a cup of tea with them, they will work for you for a life time. But if deal with them with haughtiness then they can be the greatest enemies. This is the speciality of Bengalis. Why do you show haughtiness? Be with them, meet them, talk to them, get to know them – I call this enlightened entrepreneurs.
Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Shri Mahasaraswati Puja
Kolkata (India) . February 3rd, 1992
