SURPANAKHA'S SERMON TO RAVANA: A DIRECTING FUNCTION, PERTINENT FOR ETHICAL MANAGEMENT OF ORGANIZATIONS (IN THE CONTEXT OF RURAL INSTITUTIONS)

Administrative, social, health, educational, religious and cultural institutions exist for the overall development of rural areas of India. Some of the obstacles in the ethical management of rural institutions are dishonesty, misappropriation of funds, corruption, unsustainable use of natural resources, inadequate community participation, nepotism, lack of transparency, exploitation, etc. To overcome these problems, the implementation of ethical practices in management becomes necessary. Since management is essential where humans work in groups, the functions and principles of management are applicable in these rural institutions as well. Among the different functions of management, directing function is interrelated with all other functions. Directing occupies a central position in all management functions, as the function of providing guidance and encouragement to carry out planned work falls under directing. The task of guiding and promoting principles of ethics falls under directing function of management. The present research paper is based on the ethical sermon given by Surpanakha to Ravana in Aranya Kanda of Sri Ramcharitmanas, a unique epic of Indian culture. Surpanakha’s moral guidance to Ravana can also be implemented for the ethical management of rural institutions, as it prescribes high standards of ethics, integrity, honesty and transparency for mangers and leaders. Therefore, in the presented conceptual research paper, the ethical sermon of Surpanakha have been studied by integrating them with the contemporary management functions and principles in comprehensive way, to make the administration of rural institutions transparent and holistic.