India has emerged ... - is the new way to describe ourselves these days. Anti-Modi brigade and also some sections of non-Hindus are not comfortable with this argument. This is largely because though they are patriot Indians; they do not want to give credit to a staunch Hindutva protagonist for the new milestones the country has achieved.
But honestly -- all that Bharat has achieved in the new century is not absolutely due to the Narendra Modi factor. Nevertheless as a politician and not being someone charity home of Ramakrishna Mission - Modi and his party BJP will try to draw some political mileage. The debate need not be dragged further on that line.
As a civilisation, India did not push for materialistic milestones. The spiritual and 'power of Dharma' always got prominence. Positive elements were encouraged and as a result 'Hope' sprang eternal in the Human breast. Though there is no comparison yet we may draw some parallelism.
Since its birth Pakistan had preferred Religious fundamentalism. But even as we could be laughed at; India almost committed a sin of Secular fundamentalism. I often call it Sickularism. In reality we encouraged Minority Fundamentalism. We tried to run down Hindu words of wisdom. The pro-communist historians and intellectuals even preferred disowning the ancient Hindu virtues.
But the Hindu civilisation is not dependent on numbers. It is also not based on one book or follows one God. It has been most democratic institution as a way of life. Dharma is never about worshipping, visiting temples periodically or lighting candles and Agarbattis.
Scholars could not translate it effectively -- probably in any language of the world -- least of all English.
Dharma actually is a combination of goodness, performance of duties, ensuring rule of law, justice and also a bit of customs.
Dharma focused strictly (without telling in as many words) about doing the right thing. Importantly, this 'right thing' was made clear in both private and public life.
Dharma is actually related to Moral law and righteousness and sustains an individual, a society, the nation (if someone wants to include) and also the entire cosmos.
The Raj Dharma applied to kings. But mark it well - Raja or the King was never the interpreter of Dharma or Dharmik provisions. That job was left for the Brahmans (the educated priests). In the process, the Rishi could put a check on the power who ruled and provided governance to the masses.
Now compare this with the Chinese wisdom. Therein the Chinese emperor was supreme and thus was both the interpreter of the law and also the source of power.
The Bharatiya or the Hindu way of life was characterised by tolerance of different views. The Indianness - long before Mughals ruled or British conquered -- put no restraint either on the senses or on the mind as probably other civilisations and nations have done.
It is often claimed that Buddhism and Jainism born in India follow the same spirit. In fact, asked for his last message Guatam Buddha had told his disciples -
".... be ye a lamp unto yourself
Be ye a refuge unto yourself
Look not for refuge to anyone besides yourself".
In other words, he wanted Buddhists to rely upon themselves and upon their reasoning power.
If India is attaining new heights; we should not be surprised. The fact of the matter some great icons had predicted some decades back and India will emerge stronger as a nation.
Look what Sri Aurobindo had said : "A free and united India will be there and the Mother will gather around her sons and weld them into a single national strength". He had also asserted :
"I believe firmly that a great and united future is the destiny of this nation and its peoples".
One can also say that the greatness of the Indian civilisation or Hinduism lies in being the world's first religion founded on the freedom of enquiry.
This must be cherished.
Centuries have gone by. Invading forces descended on this country but its foundation and the basic culture has remained indestructible.
ends
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