On Reestablishing our Moral Compass Suman Nalwa

Despite remarkable advances in recent decades—socioeconomic, technological, cultural—India remains a nation where, every day, hundreds if not thousands of girls and women are raped or assaulted. One of the most dangerous cities is Delhi, where the gang rape and murder of a student by six men on a moving bus parted the curtain on the problem and enraged the world.

Heading a special unit for crimes against women and children, Suman Nalwa, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Delhi Police, is dedicated to stopping the violence. Partnering with The Way to Happiness Foundation International, she utilizes the common-sense moral code The Way to Happiness as a tool in her crusade.

What do you see as the root of the problem of violence against women?

When people encounter burdens and distress, the initial tendency is not to take responsibility but to be in a blame game. What’s missing is the moral fabric in the society. That causes all the troubles, and that includes violence against women that increases the discontent in the society.

Why is a common-sense moral code needed in police work?

We encounter all kinds of people—the antisocial ones and the victims who have been abused. I find that a universal moral code is equally valuable for the police as it is for those we serve. The Way to Happiness provides that universal moral code.

How does The Way to Happiness fit in?

Too often people think, “My circumstances are responsible for the stress or the bad things I am doing.” It might be getting angry; it might be doing something illegal. But the idea the person has is, “Somebody else is making me do that.” But once you take responsibility for yourself, there is a way to change. You can have a different lifestyle altogether. You can do better. That’s the power of The Way to Happiness.

How does this change take place?

It’s about taking responsibility. It’s like your internal voice speaking to you: “If you do this, this is going to happen.” The Way to Happiness is the way to live. If everybody followed that, I think most of the problems in the world—interrelationship issues, criminality, everything—would reduce and maybe get eliminated from society.

What happened when you became aware of this book?

I said, “This is the thing.” And I wanted my kids to see it so they would recognize what bullying is all about, what interrelationships are all about, and how to take responsibility for their acts. Then I thought: Why not expand it? Why not have the police take it to the community?

What results have you seen from using it?

There has been a shift toward positivity. There’s a passion. It’s like a tree which is flowering. From one branch you have 20 branches. They have seen it, they have observed it, and they felt it is right.

In what way can it help others?

The Way to Happiness has the power to bring true happiness to every individual. It brings a universal message that transcends all boundaries, irrespective of religious beliefs, irrespective of regionalism, irrespective of economic or social differences. I think that it’s the answer, the solution. It starts with one individual and it spreads.