Historical and civilisational wounds can be healed by dressing them with the putty of acknowledgement. Participation by all in religious ceremonies is a step in the right direction.
'The struggles & sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to protect Somnath & those who rebuilt it time & again will never be forgotten,' the PM writes ahead of 11 May visit.
‘Tragically, this very Somnath, which drew the reverence and prayers of millions, was attacked by foreign invaders, whose agenda was demolition, not devotion,’ PM Modi wrote.
Githa Hariharan's 'This Too is India' is the Indian Cultural Forum’s last hurrah. The website was set up to highlight the importance of India’s rich and plural heritage.
On 11 May 1951, then-President Dr Rajendra Prasad attended the opening of Somnath temple in Gujarat despite Nehru's opposition, and spoke about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's idea of restoring the temple to commemorate the restoration of Indian unity.
PM Modi has realised that India's cultural heritage is the most powerful bond that forges Bharatavarsha and her people and he is re-strengthening those bonds.
Ghaznavi 'established a strong Muslim rule in the region from Ghazni & smashed the idol of Somnath,' tweeted Haqqani. The Turkic ruler raided the Somnath temple in Gujarat in 1026 AD.
While US & Indian officials have signaled that a deal was within reach, talks have dragged on amid disputes over tariffs, market access & protections for politically sensitive sectors.
Under the agreement, the loitering munitions will be offered to the Indian Army as part of efforts to address what the companies described as an ‘urgent requirement’.
“….westernised elites who have lost pride in the absence of knowledge about their own history and empathy towards the victims of civilisational wrongs. Thus, they end up becoming self-loathing and self-deprecating Indians.”
This is an inaccurate reading of history. Nehru and others that Lekhi ma’am puts in such a bracket were nationalists of the highest order who put the nations first. From what I have read of Nehru’s writing and his subsequent work which laid the foundation of modern India, through institutions and building, these were people who recognized India’s potential. Describing them as self-loathing and self-deprecating is not just wrong but does a deep disservice to their contribution. They were people who wanted Indians to rise above narrow religious dogmas and embrace that they belonged to the nation. You may not agree with them but you cannot denigrate them based on ideology.
“….westernised elites who have lost pride in the absence of knowledge about their own history and empathy towards the victims of civilisational wrongs. Thus, they end up becoming self-loathing and self-deprecating Indians.”
This is an inaccurate reading of history. Nehru and others that Lekhi ma’am puts in such a bracket were nationalists of the highest order who put the nations first. From what I have read of Nehru’s writing and his subsequent work which laid the foundation of modern India, through institutions and building, these were people who recognized India’s potential. Describing them as self-loathing and self-deprecating is not just wrong but does a deep disservice to their contribution. They were people who wanted Indians to rise above narrow religious dogmas and embrace that they belonged to the nation. You may not agree with them but you cannot denigrate them based on ideology.