A nation cannot prosper if the people are not laborious. Labour is at the source of strength for a nation. A nation that cannot work hard is not respected. A nation of idlers cannot progress and develop.
After the Industrial Revolution, the people of Europe learnt to work with tools and machines. They manufactured many things and increased the wealth of their countries. The material prosperity of a country depends on the progress of its agriculture, industry and trade. Ordinary labourers work in fields, mines, mills and factories. Their labour leads to the prosperity and power of the country as a whole. Thus, work is power. For this reason, manual labour is not felt beneath dignity.
However in India, the English education at first helped us to become clerks, teachers, lawyers, doctors and some engineers. This education taught the people to feel it beneath their dignity to work with tools and machines. They did not look upon cultivators, artisans, traders and ordinary labourers with respect. Hence, our country lagged behind in proper development in agriculture and industry, trade and commerce. The aim of an educated young man was to hold a service in the government. Our system of education was responsible for our aversion to manual labour. As a result, our country remained poor.
Gradually, the economic condition of the country became serious as all educated men could not get service. So there arose the problem of unemployment. Pressed by economic difficulties, educated young men were forced to change their outlook. Some were ready to work as labourers with tools and machines.
At present the outlook of educated men has undergone a complete change. They no longer look down upon manual labour. They are now eager to undertake any job that requires manual labour. Of course, this job must help them to earn their bread decently. This is a good sign. Even educated young men of upper castes do not hesitate to do all sorts of laborious work. They have felt the dignity of labour. An ordinary labourer without education is better than an educated idle man. A labourer is dignified because he earns his bread honestly with sweat of his brow. We should respect him. His work is as sacred as to worship God.
