Day 138

Do we really know our mother land- India, really?

 I saw a video very recently in which the speaker cited two books –

·     One was The Economy - A Millennial Perspective, written by Angus Maddison (OECD-2000) and the other was on the spiritual history.

·       The second one was  by Will Durant- History of Civilization,  which  I had read some three decades back. But the first  one is new to me.

The book on Economic History states  ,according to the said speaker, that till 15 century, India possessed  66% of the world GDP as per the citation in the book- which showed the richness of the country before even the British people landed here.( So stating that British showed us the road to prosperity is a complete humbug).

The second book ,which I read long back states about the contribution of  Indian thoughts in the world’s spiritual literature, which is indeed  substantial.( But this will be acknowledged only by persons of real  knowledge of the world- meaning thinkers of the highest order).

Many of the Indians may be unaware of these today. Since Independence, some 80 Cr people may have been born and educated here. They will be having a very distorted version of history. I am also one among them.

What we were  taught we swallowed in schools and later. I am not going to that as it is a futile discussion at this hour.

·      But many of us were made to believe and continue to believe that India was born only in 1947 and rulers or other personalities thereafter  are the makers of  India.

·        The history we studied gave scant references to the greats  of  the past except in some passing reference. 

·        Now almost all of them are forgotten as  all the possible institutions and public places mostly  carry names of persons who ruled India since Independence -that too for a  very miniscule period in history.

Be that the case, I wish to bring to the notice a virtual  song I came across this week.. 

• The title of the same  is EAKATMATA STOTRAM and starts  as follows-Aum Sachidanada Rupaya Namostu Paramatmane Jyotirmaya Swarupaya Viswa Mangalya Murtaye…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxlaOyA_62E
• There after some 30 verses are given. This song covers some 70 plus names of  those era  from the Indian History dating back to Ramayana ,in all fields that one can think of—
• Religion, astronomy, mathematics, Ayurveda, politics, kingdom, education, warfare, architecture,--- list is quite large and impressive….. and up to date almost.
• Each reader should take a self test  NOW to see who all they know and who all they don't  -  from the names covered in the video....
• Even I was not aware of many of the stalwarts there… some  I have not heard at all, 
• Many I have heard, but may not be able to elaborate, even though I am an academic person for  a very long period.  
• Because such names are not heard anywhere in our scheme of things
• If for each of them an Airport or stadium or even a prominent road or railway station or award was named, we  would be still remembering them.

If we do not know our own history, how we will have pride in them. And without national pride, how the country will progress. All these thoughts welled up when I heard the song .

 But then the cited video  received today-8.9.2021  prompted me to pen these thoughts…

·       It is my suggestion and fervent hope that the said poem should be played in schools or public functions, by listening that once even they will come to know the very rich traditions and accomplishers this ancient country BHARAT had all along. That will really build the VISION of the future generation.

There is an old saying- those who forget their past are condemned to repeat it. This can have many interpretations. One is that one will have to re-invent needlessly .Let the young generation be made aware of the glorious past…… at least hereafter….. Who will bell the cat is the issue..

Be happy. Be safe.

        ॐ 

 7.45 AM