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Perspective
Is the Cultural Thread
keeping India Intact?
by TA Ramesh
Spiritual
Nature of Culture
 Basically
Indian culture is spiritual in nature which means that it is governed by
religion. All the religious people of India believe in Dharma, Karma and
Moksha. Not only that, it supports materialism and family life also.
Everyone has to do duty suitable to each one and the sufferings and
enjoyments in duty are only for purifying the soul so that salvation or
moksha can be successfully achieved in the future or future births.
Therefore the up gradation of human life is the philosophical motive of
Indian culture.
Cultural Unity
Because of the cultural unity India stands as one country. Otherwise it
would have been a sub-continent of many countries based on many
cultures, religions, languages, etc. So, it is an interesting question
to trace back how the cultural unity of India has taken place. The
process of unifying India, which was previously divided into many
provinces, started long, long ago in many ways such as the name of
places, languages, religion, literature, culture, etc.
Sanskrit
About 1500 B.C. Aryans came and settled in India. Sanskrit became a well
developed language. It was the common language of the learned Indians.
Four Vedas, the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc., which were
previously orally passed on from one generation to another generation,
were for the first time written in the Sanskrit language around 500 B.C.
Before it was about to have become popular among the common people and a
link or common language of India its natural course was affected by the
direct interference of the foreign powers such as the Mohammedans and
the British rulers for more than 500 years.
However Sanskrit has influenced the life, culture and literature of
India. For example it can be quoted that 1. many Sanskrit words have
mingled with all the languages of India for communication purpose, 2.
the life principles of Sri Rama and the philosophy of Lord Krishna’s
Bhagavad-Gita have become the basis of Indian culture through literature
and 3. the names of places such as Kasi and Madura of North and Thenkasi
and Madurai of South bear similarities especially to bring about
familiarity and oneness between the North and the South India
politically by the noble kings of the past.
Classes, Caste
In the Vedic period the Aryans divided the society into four classes
based on the profession or job of the people for the purpose of
administration. In the Brahmanic period profession by birth of the
respective class became the job of the particular caste. So caste system
came into vogue. Unable to bear the domination of the high caste men
people embraced Buddhism which was democratic in character. In the Hindu
period participation of all the people in the worship of God in public
and in the temples as in the social festivals of today replaced Hinduism
to its previous position at the expense of Buddhism.
However caste system continued as usual but without much vigor. Though
it was exploited by the foreign rulers, due to Hindu reforms and
developments in the country caste system has lost its ground during the
post independence times. But after independence due to too much politics
casteism is again exploited making democracy a farce today.
Language and Literature
The course of unification of India changed to the course of dis-unification
and diversification first by the caste system, then by the system of the
foreign rulers and by the wantonness of the Indian politicians that
slowed down the pace of development very much, increased the population
and poverty remained a permanent thing in India. First without knowing
the noble course of unification by Indian culture and the richness of
Sanskrit literature in education the foreign rulers introduced their own
languages and literatures in education for communication and
administrative purposes so that their government could be run
effectively and efficiently. In that way Urdu language developed and
English became a common language of India later. Though that was a
blessing in disguise, language problem, caste problem, religious
problem, regional problem, etc. created big split among the people and
the foreign rulers easily divided the people in that way and ruled the
country.
After the independence of India the principles of Indian Constitution
such as liberty, secularism, socialism, democracy, etc. keep united the
people of India. Though Indians are basically divided by food, dress,
language, religion and region, they are united by their attitude and way
of living. However, it is a reality that due to the developments and
modernization of India by education, industries, employments, etc. one
new common culture or modern culture has developed and is developing.
Now the new common culture is the Indian Culture that reflects various
cultures or sub-cultures of India based on the philosophy of unity in
diversity.
Socialism, Secularism, Democracy
What India got is only political freedom and that too because of the
principles of truth and non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi, but economic
freedom, social freedom and individual freedom still look to be an
impossible dream to achieve because of large scale corruption and
violence everywhere in India. The continuation of the past project works
even after independence with wrong policies and methods has not
developed the country’s economy, changed the society and improved the
individual’s life but has increased the problems and has brought India
to the present state of crisis economically and communally.
All government run public organizations met with failure and loss
because of socialism. Prices have increased, taxes have increased and so
corruption has increased. Rich has become richer, poor has become poorer
and so economy has not developed. The principle of secularism has not
been strictly followed by both the political parties and the respective
religions in education, employment and elections and so communalism and
communal parties have developed much. Only democracy is surviving but
without disciple, revision of govt. policies and reforms of social
conventions according to the changes of time and the developmental needs
of the country which pose a great threat to the freedom, integrity and
unity of India.
National Language
Each State of India is like a separate country in the world with its own
language, culture, history, climate and geographical feature. All these
States put together make one nation called India! The desire to see
India as one country was achieved by independence. Then the desire to
have single national language for India came up before independence
itself. Hindi, just 150 years or so old language was spoken by the
largest number of peoples in the North and as it was similar to Urdu and
seemed to be a substitute for Sanskrit, a dead language now, it was
decided to be used as a single national language for communication,
administration and national identity soon after independence.
But opposition to Hindi rose from the North Eastern States and the
Southern States of India especially from Tamil Nadu and so, Nehru , the
first Prime Minister of India gave the assurance in the Parliament that
English also would be used as long as non-Hindi speaking people wanted.
From then on both Hindi and English are used as the official languages
of India with the hope that the latter can be replaced by the former
after Hindi is developed and popularized all over India. Even after 58
years of independence it remains only as a hope, because not only Hindi
but also all the languages of India have hardly been possible to develop
as English having more than 600,000 words, 3 times more than the words
of each language of India!
Communal problem
Not only the language problem but also the communal, caste and race
problems remain unsolved. India got freedom after the partition of the
Sub-Continent into India and Pakistan. From the partition time onwards
the communal problem is there in India because the Indian Muslims live
separately and have their own culture without mingling with the main
stream everywhere. They have got security and unemployment problems.
Pakistan which wanted to have Kashmir as part of Pakistan takes
advantage of the problems here, trains the Kashmiri youths in terrorist
activities and creates turmoil in Kashmir State.
Sometime back (1990) unable to bear the terrorist activities many
Kashmir pandits (Hindus) have migrated to Delhi. Punjab problem, Assam
problem, etc. are solved but Kashmir problem even after local elections
there remains yet to be solved because of non-cooperation of Pakistan
Govt. under Shimla Agreement, which clearly says that disputes between
India and Pakistan over Kashmir should be settled only on bilateral
talks, which means that violence should be curbed; but in reality only
the contrary thing is happening, which India and Pakistan should first
pay attention to so that friendship and cooperation between them will
easily help to solve the problem in a peaceful way at a quicker pace.
Caste and Violence
Like the Kashmiri Hindus for 600 years the life and works of
Sourashtrians were very much disturbed by the assaults, attacks,
atrocities, looting, burning, plundering and destruction of properties
by Mohammed of Ghazini, Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin Kilji and Bahmani
Sultan, they migrated from the Sourashtra region of Khatiawar peninsula
to Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra and then to Madurai and other towns of
Tamil Nadu in search of peaceful life and settled there 400 years ago.
Tamil Nadu, which was described as a peaceful park and noted for its
high culture, had almost become a battle field because of casteism and
its name had been tarnished by rowdyism of the worst kind some eight
years ago making one believe that it was in the dark ages then.
At that time a Sourashtra woman councillor of the Madurai Corporation
had been murdered without human sense or fear in the day time in the
market place by some rowdies of the then ruling party because she was
boldly fighting against corruption in the Fair Price shops and due to
political rivalry. Then the statues of the nationalist Spiritual leader,
Muthuramalinga Thevar and the champion of the untouchables, Dr. Ambedkar
were broken by some miscreants and due to those incidences violent
clashes between Thevar Caste and harijan caste peoples went on without
an end.
The morale had gone down so low that the political criminals and rowdies
there after burnt houses with petrol bombs, damaged and burnt buses and
vehicles, broke open house doors, destroyed TV, fridge, etc., stole
valuables and went away scot-free with the indirect support of the
political parties, police and courts. As the situation was so, how
women, children and youths could have moved out from the house to
anywhere for anything after the evenings! Generally with uncertainty
people went out for work in the morning and returned home in the evening
then! Therefore it became a necessity to have a clear appraisal of the
culture we esteem high.
Sourashtra Culture
If some community people like the Sourashtrians can migrate from the
North to somewhere in the South and live for more than 3 centuries or so
it is only because of the similarities of their own culture, the State
culture and the National culture. The Sourashtrian culture is so unique
that they easily mingled with the local people and became one with them
in such a way that they never had any sort of difficulty or differences
of caste, class, creed, race and language to cope with. This is because
they have acquired the habit, on their migrations from place to place,
of learning the local language for communication and business purposes
and their mother tongue for home use only. As they are naturally pious
they could not find any difficulty to participate in all the local
religious festivals that made them reliable to the natives. More over
they have the custom of easily adjusting themselves to the behavior,
dress pattern and manners of the local people in such a way that nobody
would believe that they are Sourashtrians.
Tamil Culture
Next the Tamil culture which is considered to be one of the best
cultures of the world is noted for its hospitality, courage, sense of
attachment, human sense, self-respect, respect for women, elderly
people, brotherhood, friendship, love, following monogamy in family life
and valuing highly the modesty of women. That is why unlike other
language literatures of the world they hold high the great epic,
Silappathikaram by Elango on the modesty of a good woman, Kannagi as
everything is created because of woman and destroyed because of woman.
Indian Culture
Then the Indian National culture is so universal in nature that the
essence of Indian culture is mainly said to be the international
brotherhood (Vasudavaya Kutumbhakam). According to the national
culture all peoples give respect and obey to their parents, maintain
unity among brothers, protect their family and children, maintain the
promise of friendship, respect woman as mother, sister, aunt, etc.,
maintain one’s dharma and save social justice in life, respect the
nation as motherland, mother goddess Sakti, as they know that everything
starts from Mother Goddess – education from Saraswati, wealth from
Lakshmi, power from Sakti, and even the earth is called as Mother Earth
or Bhumadevi. Therefore one brought up in this culture can live anywhere
in the world as one among the humanity in harmony, peace and happiness.
Antisocial elements
These are the important and vital aspects of Indian culture which
everyone is supposed to know in the childhood itself at home or through
literature in the school. If one acts otherwise not in accordance with
this culture something is wrong at home or in the school or the social
group in which one is a member. To educate such people about the
greatness and the value of our culture, Cinema, TV, Radio, magazines and
news media play a great role. Even then if untoward incidences occur in
the country it is only due to the unwillingness, wantonness and the
criminal nature of the hard core antisocial elements, who have to be
dealt with legally and eliminated if possible so that human society can
survive and do valuable service to the nation and the world.
Cultural Deterioration
Indeed cultural deterioration due to 500 years of foreign rules,
modernization on the western model and pornographic aspects of Cinema
films, TV programs with hypnotizing advertisements, photos and articles
in the popular magazines, etc. are the root cause for the antisocial,
antinational problems and activities in the country. Naturally
corruption and violence dominate in all walks of life leading to
national loss and economic failure. Only the colonial driver is driven
out replacing the Indian driver on the seat. But if the local driver
follows the same methods, and goes on the same route in a wrong manner
without expertise, effortlessly and inefficiently how can economic
success and self sufficiency in all respects be achieved?
Development of India
The dream of developing India like the industrially well developed
western countries led to venture upon big industries with central
planning on the socialistic model met with failure while implementing
the plans with the colonial type of Indian bureaucratic machinery,
because in the centralized administration the funds allotted to various
projects drained in wastages at various levels and before reaching the
last point funds were so meagre that it was scarcely possible for any
worthwhile work as a result of omissions and commissions in the system.
Immediately after the British went out, if the educational system,
bureaucratic system and legal system were changed according to the
Indian nature, condition and culture and decentralized type of
administration was introduced in the execution of plans giving
importance to 1. Agriculture sector in the creation of many
Agro-Industries mass of India would have got employments and the
Country’s Economy would have been developed to everyone’s satisfaction
through Exports of Agro-Products to other countries of the world and 2.
Fishing Industries as we have vast sea resource wide open always mainly
to Export Sea Foods to western countries India’s Economy would have
developed at a faster pace.
Even now the opportunities are very bright if Agro-Industries and
Fishing Industries are encouraged with the foreign know-how the existing
Export Potentials can well be profitably exploited by the Govt. and the
Economy can be developed to a great extent giving job opportunities to
many unemployed people whose mental diversion to violent paths due to
financial difficulties or frustrations for not getting jobs can be
averted.
Measures to Stop Corruption
The slow pursuit of socio-economic developments due to the many bottle
necks of bureaucracy gave politicians and bureaucrats enough chances to
make money. Instead of economic development self-development of the
politicians went on full swing. Then corrupt culture rather than Indian
culture maintained the unity of India. Many political parties on the
basis of language, religion, case, race and religion increased day by
day. Many entered politics, came to power and made black money through
corrupt practices.
Now corruption is corroding the very vitals of the country and due to
bad politics eating away the tissues and fibers of the society. To
overcome this crisis reforms are needed in the political system of the
country so that unnecessary political parties can be banned; by means of
election reforms election malpractices can be arrested; collection of
party funds made out of the black money from various sources can be
unearthed; and spending of too much money by them on election times can
be stopped permanently for the good the nation.
Religious Unity and Elimination of Castes
Religion which is the basis of culture cannot be banned. But castes of
each religion can be banned if efforts are taken by the respective
religious leaders of India. Rich-poor differences in each religion,
Brahmin, harijan and other castes of Hindu religion, differences like
Shias, Sunnis and Sufis of Islam religion, etc. should be first
eliminated by the respective religious leaders’ efforts. Then unity in
each religion can be established and after that only unity of all
religions under the Indian constitutional principle, Secularism can be
really achieved. Till then differences of all religions will be there.
But casteism, which is dominating the affairs of men for hundreds of
years, is more deadly than other evils in India.
This sort of caste system is not found in any other country in the world
expect in India. This shameful caste system, which is degrading human
prestige, can be eliminated only by educating the people through Cinema,
Radio, TV, magazines and books by broadly explaining to them as to how
it has been standing as a hurdle and spoiling the progress of the
country. As truly said by Mahatma Gandhi the enemy of Indian freedom is
not outside but within in the form of castes which the political parties
are exploiting more than 100% to deceive the people and betray the
country for their personal gains. Therefore only when castes are
eliminated and unity of religions is established, culturally India can
be united for good and everything can be achieved for its people.
Modernization
What is modernization? Modernization is introduction of scientific
technology, developments with new technologies, materialistic
developments with intellectual power and knowledge to bring about
economic and social changes for the peaceful journey of social life of
the country in accordance with the pace of the modern world. But culture
is development of humanism, refinement of human nature and in short
development of human spirit. The achievement of excellence, quality is
what culture is all about. There cannot be a good civilization without
the foundation of a good culture. Without material wealth this world is
not there for one, but at the same time without the credit of spiritual
achievement that world will also not be there for one. Therefore the
best course of action will be that to achieve the priorities and the
long term goals of the nation all matters should be scientifically
approached with human spirit.
History cannot be changed and the mistakes of the past cannot be
corrected because economically it is a waste and also a waste of time
for the nation now. History should reveal the truth and remain as a
warning so that old type mistakes won’t be repeated in the future.
Now modernization is going on everywhere in the world because of Science
and Technology.
According
to the trend of the world modernization not at the demise of culture
like in the western countries (where due to this fact
machine-beast-like-men are increasing in quantity and indulging in
crimes and violence with powerful destructive weapons in large scale)
should be welcomed in all fields for the well being of the individuals,
up gradation of human life and the progress of the Indian society.
Because of the Universal nature and the international approach Indian
culture can easily assimilate and adopt modernity in knowledge,
attitude, way of living, food, dress, manners, behavior, movements,
relationships, etc. in the human society of the world.
1. Sanskrit language, which was supposed to have developed into a
language of the common people has become a dead language today due to
historical reasons; but if it is introduced in the schools and thereby
spread to various parts of the country, because of its capacity to be
used for expressing scientific terms, explanations, etc. and because it
is possible to use it as a Computer language also, Sanskrit can become
an effective National language as well as a prideful identity of India
in future; and in that way language problem of India can be solved once
and for all.
2. Hindu religion, because of its variety, universal approach, all
embracing nature and its ability to answer convincingly all scientific
enquires and its ability to convert naturally soon all the people of the
world to Hinduism, should be officially honored in India being a great
Indian religion so that the demise of its greatness and thereby the
greatness of India, its rich culture, civilization and great
achievements in the past, the present and the future can be averted.
3. Fortunately the great Indian literature, which was inspiring,
encouraging and guiding the people is still wonderfully sustaining
itself to lead the people in the right path and will do so even in the
future also.
In view of the facts and reasons I have analyzed so far I have to say
that the cultural thread is keeping India intact and will keep intact in
the future also, because it reflects the truth as ascertained long ago
by Max Mueller, a German philosopher, which is worthwhile to quote here
conclusively as follows:
“If I
were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed
some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest
problems of life and has found solutions of some of them which will
deserve the attention even of those who have studied Plato and Kant,
I should point to India. And if I were to ask myself from what
literature we here in Europe – we who have been nurtured almost
exclusively on the thoughts of the Greeks and the Romans and of one
Semitic race, the Jewish – may draw that corrective which is most
wanted in order to make our life more perfect, more comprehensive,
more Universal, in fact, more truly human, a life not for this life
only, but a transfigured and eternal life, again I should point to
India.”
September
10, 2006
Image
courtesy: BBC
Top
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Perspective
The Week of September 10, 2006
Who's Hu in South Asia: Decoding
India-Pakistan-China Relations by Rajinder Puri
South Asia: China's not so Benign Strategic
Presence by Dr. Subhash Kapila
Further Leaks from God by Gaurang Bhatt, MD
Terror Tests India's Secular Fabric by Col.
Rahul K. Bhonsle
Racism in North India by Aparna Pallavi
Nazi Holocaust Lessons for Gujarat by Manjri
Sewak
The Sky is the Limit for India's Growth! by
Niraj Chandra
Is the Cultural Thread Keeping India Intact?
by TA Ramesh
Vande Mataram: The Divine Melody of Dilip Kumar
Roy by V. Sundaram
Vande Mataram in Recorded Song: Fable and Legend
by V. Sundaram
MC Chagla: A Titan among the Nationalists by
V. Sundaram
Uttaranchal Developing on Shaky Grounds by
VK Joshi
Sex Workers Speak Out by Elayne Clift
Faith Conquers Fear by Anjana Mehta Bhalla
The Witty Side by Melvin Durai
All for the Roads by Prakash Pathre
Desire and Deviance by Julia Dutta
The Importance of being Tulsi
by Rajesh Talwar
From Kavalam to Kavalam by P. Ravindran
Nayar
Michael Madhusudan Dutta: Profile of an
Epic Poet Compiled by Aparna Chatterjee
Anju Badhwar Vora - Profile of a
Vithika Artist
Save your Money and Get on the Floor by
Gary Direnfeld
Guna: More Than a District of MP by Anil Gulati
The Woman who Died Young by Dibyendu Ghoshal
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