Friday, May 04, 2012

Indians suffer from inferiority complex.



Indians suffer from inferiority complex.

Vidya Bhushan Gupta has rightly observed (India Abroad,May 4,2012) that while the Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi,Rajaji and others drew their inspiration from the Hindu ideals, it is not recognized as the contribution of Hindus to India and the world. Hindus view that ' The Man is the spark of The Divine', is the basis of liberty, equality and fraternity which is in the preamble of the Indian Constitution. However, most of the Indians believe these ideals have come from the French Revolution and the American Constitution. Freedom of thought and tolerance is well expressed in the phrase, " ekam sat vipra bahuda vadanti" - truth is one but it is interpreted differently by wise men.

Indian music and yoga got recognition worldwide only after it was appreciated by the Beatles. Ayurveda, science of good health, has not received any attention from the Indian government. Yoga has not been introduced in Indian schools in spite of its beneficial effects on physical and mental health though it is accepted in USA. Centuries of Muslim and British domination have instilled an inferiority complex among most of the educated Indians. Additionally, Indian politicians have misunderstood secularism as denial of Hindu heritage and Hindu culture. No wonder, Indian students know more about the West than their own history, culture and heritage.

The Hindu view of life includes the ideal of artha ( wealth) and kama ( desire) to be based on dharma ( that which sustains an individual,family and society) though the ultimate aim is moksha ( to be one with God). The Mahatma had said that there is enough in the world for everyone's need, but not everyone's greed. Greed is anathema for the Hindu view of life. If India had followed this lakshamana rekha ( limit), so many scams would not have happened in the recent years. Now the only ideal in India is, 'khao-piyo-mauj-karo'.

India today has the demographic advantage. These young people are eager to know and understand. They have seen the devastation caused by the rootless people who dominated the democratic system. They will change India and they will find India's soul  -  its ideals which animated its history since the dawn of human civilization and are relevant today.

May 3,2012.

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