Shaping Activities vis-a-vis Shaping Minds
Dr Santosh Kumar Mohapatra
The above thoughts crept into my mind while returning from the office.
The distinction between shaping activities and shaping minds is important, particularly in social, political and trade-union life.
Shaping activities means organising, directing and influencing what people do. It focuses on programmes, campaigns, meetings, demonstrations, organisational routines and visible outcomes.
Shaping minds, on the other hand, means influencing how people think, what they believe, how critically they analyse issues, and whether they develop ideological clarity, independent judgement and social consciousness.
The fundamental difference is that shaping activities influences behaviour, while shaping minds influences consciousness.
For example, a trade union may organise strikes, conduct meetings and mobilise employees. These are activities. But helping employees understand why privatisation occurs, how economic policies affect working people, and why collective struggle matters is the process of shaping minds.
Hence, both shaping activities and shaping minds are important. Unfortunately, progressive forces place greater emphasis on shaping activities while neglecting the task of shaping minds.
As a result, when a person retires, gets a better opportunity or is promoted to another cadre, they may cease to support the very philosophy and principles they once appeared to uphold.
This raises an important question: have we succeeded merely in involving people in organisational activities, or have we also helped them develop a lasting ideological commitment?
The real strength of an organisation lies not merely in the activities it conducts but also in the minds it shapes. Activities may ensure participation as long as circumstances are favourable, but ideological conviction helps sustain commitment beyond positions, promotions and personal interests.
When a person’s mind is properly shaped, they remain committed to the organisation’s principles and objectives despite difficulties and adverse circumstances.
They do not easily abandon their path or engage in activities that undermine the organisation.
But when minds are not properly shaped, individuals may rise to an important position but may leave the organisation when their personal interests are affected or engage in actions detrimental to the organisation to preserve their own supremacy.
Dr Santosh Kumar Mohapatra
