Jai Shri Ram -- Foreign Media and coverage of Ram Mandir inauguration ... and what does it all mean ?? ::::::: We have many Ramayanas... that's true..... these are our 'own stories' ...

Foreign Media and coverage of Ram Mandir inauguration -- India's message to the world

The big picture missive is the world is looking towards India of January 2024 and taking notice !!

BBC headline screamed -- Ayodhya: Temple to open at India’s religious fault-line

Muslim teacher in Temple premises: Oct 1, 2010

Monday's ceremony is being seen as the informal start of his campaign for re-election this year, wooing India's Hindu majority. Across the country, millions of Hindus are gearing up to celebrate the day like a big festival, while employees of Mr Modi's federal government have been given a half day. -- BBC

2010 snap

Jan 22, 2024 event showcases the obvious that Bharat, that is India, is more than mere 600-700 years of 'recorded history' by western scholars and experts. Moreover, even their recording often has not been very objective. Some analyses and references clearly smacked of motives and typical Christianity-project which could mean downplay the virtues or powerful messages of Hinduism, its rituals etc. 

Maybe there were attempts to 'contain' India within those 500 years out of which most period India has reeled under Mughal and British rulers often forced to compromise with Hindu way of life. And that way, Jan 24, 2024 is a milestone.

"India's history will not be marked just by 1947 for its independence from colonial rule, but from 2024 for its dharmic civilisational revival and removal of the shadows of colonial rule," says David Frawley, noted American Indologist.

One version in 'New York Times' after 2019 Supreme Court orders were:  "The movement to build Rama’s temple and the demolition of the Babri Masjid led to the B.J.P.’s meteoric rise in electoral politics — from two seats out of 541 in the Parliament in 1984 to forming a national government in 1998. 

The campaign for Rama’s temple ushered in an era of majoritarian politics in defiance of the promise of secular nationalism that has held together this multireligious country since 1947."

The article also said: "In a country burdened by history, the one consistent lesson is that centralized authority imposed against the wishes of the marginalized and those on the periphery never holds." 

 

                               

In the days building up to the ceremony, Ayodhya, once sleepy and rundown, has been transformed into a thriving, hectic town, with construction on every corner. Devotees have flocked from across the country to catch a distant glimpse of Ram Mandir through metal barriers. -- says 'The Guardian'  

"By April, India is due to go to elections in which Modi and his BJP government will be seeking a third term in power. The temple inauguration, where Modi will be leading the ceremonies alongside the priests, has been described by some analysts as the unofficial launch of his election campaign. The BJP’s election agenda is likely to draw heavily on religious sentiments of Hindus, who make up 80% of India’s population."

Kazi Nazrul Islam and Ram

The first stanza of the Bengali lyrics says: “Mono jopo naam/Shri Raghupati Ram, nava doorbadalshyam nayanaviram/Moo jopo naam/Shri Raghupati Ram. (My heart chants the name of Raghupati Ram/ His eye-catching look is pleasant like newly grown verdant grass).”

We have many Ramayanas... that's true..... these are our 'own stories' ....stories where people could take liberty even to mock at Gods and Godesses !!

It's unthinkable in other religions. How much lecture we get to hear from Sickulars and non-Hindus, 'such liberties' were not possible with Islam, Christianity and Judaism. 

We have many Ramayanas... that's true..... these are our 'own stories' ....stories where people could take liberty even to mock at Gods and Godesses !! Many years back - in the early eighties - when India was supposed to be cherishing pluralism and Congress was in the dominating position. It was still the era of Indira Gandhi, there came a political satire with Ramayana as a plot in Bangla. 

It was called Naba Ramayana' (neo version of the epic) wherein actor Bhanu Bandyopadhyay (a genius in his own right) plays the role of a politician and he liberally mocks at Ram, Sita, Lakshman and others. 

He even compares Sita with his wife and goes on to say, "amar bou o katha shone na (Even my wife will not listen)". Reference is the episode when Sita crosses the Lakshman Rekha and she was easily kidnapped !!  Can anyone imagine such a thing with other Gods and Godesses !!  

Yes, the big take away is very simple. They are Gods, they are sacred but they are mine, our own; and they are 'own' - so close they can be like friends and family members. Hence, we can even mock or joke about them ! 

Here is a sample. One character in the audio-satire says, "Ram was 'adarsha Raja (an ideal king)". The politician shots back:

"A person who sends his wife for Agni Pariksha at the pressure of public can never be an ideal king. The King simply could not displease the public". 

Now, that's Ramayana for you and that's whats called Liberalism and Tolerance !! Any takers, sickulars? 

There is an article in 'The Hindu' (Jan 21, 2024). The paper prides in Modi-bashing and in the name of promoting Left-liberalism often insults Hindus. Nevertheless, the Sunday piece article titled "There were many Ramayanas" makes sense.  

The author talks about a woman born and brought up in Thiruvanathapuram - yes the mallu-land -- the South Indian version of Kolkata (Marxists hub).

The write up says the woman grows up as a Christian but was always told that she has to grow up like 'a Sita'. That's something na !! 

"That tells us that an epic written some 2000 years ago can leap across time and cultures...".

Let us bow down and pay homage to the creativity of Valmiki and others -- all maestros in their own capacities.