What does the term republic imply? Does it just have a political connotation or something to do with territory or government? India just celebrated its 73rd Republic Day with a pretty glamorous show but can that ostentation be taken as a representative for the whole of the nation or the ‘people’. Have the people after so many years inculcated any of the values enshrined in the Constitutional? Have we reached a certain degree of cultural or even spiritual refinement in a land which boasts of a mighty religious pedigree? Aren’t we just languishing under a tremendous heap of tradition, corruption and superstition and do we even see the problems as existent? We must ask these questions if we really love this place and want to contribute anything for its progress. The questions must sink in real deep if any viable answers are sought. The focus of this blog today would be on the meaning of Republic, sovereignty and independence and their contextual evaluation, digging in deep for the economic, political and cultural problems India is going through and whether a superficial cultural change can reap any benefits if at all. The problem of transformation, in the educational and intellectual psyche of this country, the urgent need for it and other related issues would be stressed upon.
Lack of Independent thinking and the Resultant Degenerate Culture
India has been a land of a great many religious and spiritual thinkers who have adorned this geography from yore. The findings in Science, Astronomy and the levels reached in Philosophy, Religion, Literature and Grammar is pretty astounding for the time and place. Independence of the mind and clear thinking were the highlights of these developments. Simultaneously a culture which valued superstition over reason and rationality, Tradition over true Religion and Inner inquiry brewed up. These two streams were constantly in a battle. So one can clearly mark these two deviations in Indian history. On one side were the Rishi-Poets-Seers and on the other the banal traditionalists with their own entrenched caste system, heaps of superstitions and other anti-intellectual bent etc. So the general populace was never free of those kinds of bondages, he was deprived of the true learning of this civilization, the Sanatan that was. The sages, philosophers-thinkers all the more then tried, never could properly establish a communion with the people, people were so hell bent to tread on their selfish ways they were defeated and are still being. The thinking spirit of India is in utter decay. The reasoning capacity of the people is at an all time low, in fact reason is being derided and people are being made to believe the impossibility of scientific method to anything. The rise of Babas, God men and fraudsters is on the rise. Should a 21st century India have a place for all these things? True contemplation and doubtful scepticism which is an integral part of Religion is being eradicated. True lovers of this land must combat this foolishness with utmost energy.
Creative Consciousness of Present day India
How many true authors, poets and artists who are Indians are renowned globally do we know presently? The number is quite small even if it is for the sheer numbers India has. How many theatres, or art galleries or any creative entrepreneurs India can boast of ? There is a severe lack of platforms for budding artists to express themselves, if at all there are they are concentrated in pockets around Mumbai. The spaces needed for creative activities are very small in number, how can humans develop themselves if an environment of freedom or creativity is not provided. A dire need of establishing Institutes of Art and Expression which delve into Aesthetics and Creation is being felt right now. An emerging nation is what India is, and a creative zeal that is integrative and strong must absolutely develop in the fullest of ways. Various businesses which can help in advancing the creative ideas too can originate in the same vein, relishing the two paths at once beautifully and bountifully combined.
The State of Engineering and Medical Sciences
In a Report it was found out that 94% of the engineering graduates are incapable of engineering services directly, this is so very problematic for the technological state, the most technically advanced however leave the country for better prospects. The paucity of technological entrepreneurs who are Indians is a clear reflection of the above mentioned fact. Here too there is no originality. For example the Indians who are well known around in the technological sector here and abroad too are in management positions and not at the centre. This is just an exercise in observation of truth. The leadership qualities are completely missing in most people, the problem of dependency arises naturally from it. There doesn’t arise in our people a rock that stands alone and faces the true facts of life. The Self is not developed and Self can only be realised by our very own striving. Laziness and confused action have a hold upon Indians like no other time. This thing though can be extended to the whole world.
Our ancients have actually known great many facts about the human body, the findings and discoveries of Charaka and Sushruta in the medical field were revolutionary for the times. The process of surgery of course, not how it is presently, is described in the Samhitas in a very precise manner of scientific method and I use the word scientific with a degree of responsibility. Still, the medical sciences and services are being expanded to the corners of this country though not in the rate we would like to be, this must be a source of contention in us and not contentment that there are innumerable human beings in the country who have been untouched by these advancements, a vast number which lives in physical misery, still, in the 21st century land. Entrepreneurs working in the medical field have touched high rises but still we are too far behind the Western world in these sorts of developments.
The Developments that must be Sought urgently
A very great crisis which is unfolding tremendously and poses questions of extinction before humanity is the Environmental issue with infinite ramifications in its fold. Environmental action can be advanced through businesses which have a concern for the environment, various NGOs and social entrepreneurs can work together to create systems that advance green goals. The SDGs can be realised quickly, efficiently and fully if there is a togetherness. Consequently the emphasis on consumerism must be diluted urgently. There is a great scope for green entrepreneurs to work here in India for the challenge is big and it needs a resolution decisively. The workings of our life must be seen in its utter reality with its hollowness and barrenness and believe me that observation contains seed for a transformation that is total. We never allow ourselves to think on these terms for we are conditioned heavily.
Freshness must come alive in our lives so that this person and persons around us can taste freedom and joy with the utterness that is conveyed by these words. A lovely future then surely awaits for ourselves if we follow these things in an orderly say.