The S.N. Sinha Institute of Business Management in Ranchi, Jharkhand, in collaboration with Soka Gakkai International, organised a one-week course from 2 September on ‘International Youth Leadership and Global Peace’. The course was based on the teachings of SGI President Daisaku Ikeda.
Mr. Mannan Mallik, Jharkhand’s minister for animal husbandry, fisheries and disaster management, inaugurated the course. He said, “Buddhism has always been linked to peace, and education will play an important role in building peace and harmony in the world.”
Mr. N.P. Singh, chairman of the institute, appreciated the efforts of President Ikeda in promoting peace, culture and education. The S.N. Sinha Institute conferred an honorary professorship on President Ikeda in March this year and established a chair in his name.
The participants watched a film on President Ikeda with keen interest.
Dr. Akash Ouchi, BSG honorary deputy chairperson and SGI representative in South Asia, gave a keynote speech on global youth leadership. He said:
The expressions must and have to no longer motivate people. No one will act unless they are truly convinced in their hearts. When a person is truly moved he may display his great potential, showing tremendous power and ability. For this reason, fruitful conferences and discussions are becoming more important.
Small-scale discussion or dialogue is important where you can talk directly. face to face, close enough to sense each other’s warmth; discussions which are not unilateral but convincing. Discussions carried out in this way can relieve worn hearts, open closed minds and change bewilderment and despair into conviction and hope.
In one-on-one discussions, ask yourself: “What are they worried about? What are they trying to say? What are they thinking? What is it they seek?” Try to discern these things in others, try to understand. These are the challenges of leadership. From such compassion arises wisdom.
Of course the work needs to be done. However, there is a huge difference between when someone is ordered to work and when someone is motivated to work, even for somenone who may have reached a position of senior leadership. It is very important for each member of the team to be motivated to work together.
Leaders should make a constant effort to study hard and maintain freshness. The organisation will advance and be filled with dynamism. The organisation will change and develop only to the extent leaders change and develop themselves . . . .
Leaders in particular tend to become arrogant just because they have positions in organisation and think they know everything. This is a common tendency. They put on airs and regard others as being below them.
Authoritarianism alienates people. Sincerity captures people’s hearts. A person of sincerity creates a relaxed and spring-like atmosphere. Because of your sincerity, people will respond with sincerity.
Genuine leaders protect people when they are hired, and nurture them by providing appreciation for their development. . . .
Ultimately, everything depends on whether there is someone willing to take 100 percent responsibility. Someone who takes action for the sake of people and is concerned for the people is a true leader, so working selflessly with dedication will set an example for leadership.
Later, on hearing a report on the event, President Ikeda said: “Please convey my best regards to the organisers and others involved in the event.”