Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
In today's fast-moving digital age, where social media and endless notifications have shrunk the attention spans of young people, international storyteller Lal Govind Prabhu has a clear prescription: listen to the Ramayana. "True change can happen only when leaders themselves practise values first," he says.
Speaking to Lokmat Times ahead of the Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram Katha a seven-day discourse scheduled from May 15 to 21 at the ISKCON VECC temple near Varud Phata Prabhu said that listening to the Ramayana and Bhagwat Katha can meaningfully improve concentration and mental discipline in young people. "The culture of short reels and constant scrolling is breaking the concentration of youngsters every few seconds. Spiritual discourses like the Ram Katha help calm the mind, improve focus and guide youth towards discipline and positivity," he said. "Spirituality makes life's journey peaceful and gives lasting happiness technology only offers shortcuts to temporary comfort. Appealing especially to students and young readers, he encouraged them to attend the seven-day discourse, which will be held daily from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
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Faith vs. blind faith
Lal Govind Prabhu drew a sharp distinction that will resonate with educated, questioning readers. "Genuine faith is rooted in scriptures and the Vedas it has a reasoned, documented foundation," he said. "Blind faith, on the other hand, is belief formed without any spiritual understanding or scriptural basis." The difference, he argued, is critical for today's youth to understand.
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Can Ram Rajya exist in modern politics?
Asked whether the ideal of Ram Rajya is achievable in today's political climate, Prabhu was direct: "True change can happen only when leaders themselves practise values first, and then inspire society through their actions." It is a message that cuts across party lines and one that Lokmat Times readers, particularly civic-minded middle-class citizens, will find worth reflecting on.
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'Social media and films have glorified lust'
Prabhu expressed deep concern about trends in modern entertainment. "For the last 50 years, social media, Hollywood and Bollywood have glorified lust and portrayed it as the highest form of happiness," he said. His call to youth was clear: instead of consuming or spreading such content, use social media to share spirituality, positive values and meaningful thought.