This book is an outcome of the concerted efforts of the Panchnad Research Institute which has compiled different papers presented by luminaries at a seminar on Hindutva and Hindu nationalism in a contemporary perspective.
In his paper, Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, eminent politician, makes a lucid case for revival of the concept of sanskriti as the basis for the resurgence of the Indian society. He says, ?But the new physics is now talking about ?wholism?, that whole is not merely the algebraic sum of its parts but something more. Accordingly, human society is not an aggregate of different nations, races or religions; it is an indivisible whole.? He adds, ?When we say that India is an ancient nation, we simply mean that it is a Hindu nation which believes and seeks unity in diversity. It is an all-inclusive concept and inspires people for the service of humankind.?
Justice Rama Jois refers to the eminence of Indian scriptures and set a higher goal for humanity by saying, ??man being the highest form of life should not lag behind in serving others and not merely human beings,? as he negates Western practices on the struggle for existence and the survival of the fittest.
Francois Gautier visualises India as a super power in the 21st century. He identifies various strengths of the ancient Indian knowledge system and believes that the entire world needs to be benefited by this unique source of human welfare. He says, ?India of the ages is not dead nor has she spoken her last creative word; she lives and has still something to do for herself and the human peoples.?
Prafull Goradia makes an illuminating journey of the manifestation of nationhood through ages beginning with the contention, ?Nevertheless, the desire of the Indian civilisation to underline its unity was just demonstrated as long ago as some 3,400 years. It was Sri Krishna who first personified the unity of India.?
Subhash C. Kashyap draws a comparison between the ?uni-linear? comprehensions of the West with the pluralistic base of the ancient Indian philosophy. He warns of the chaotic situation in future when he says, ?It is a strange and very dangerous scenario in any democracy where the majority feels threatened and as gradually losing ground. If the majority is genuinely offended, even if not so visible on the surface today, it is bound to find volcanic expression in the not too distant future.?
Shyam Khosla, who has been associated with the Panchnad Institute since its inception in 1984, defines the government, state and nation to go on to provide a genesis of the development of the concept of nationhood in various concepts.
Justice Tryambaklal U. Mehta argues in favour of anekatavad (pluralism) as he expresses the basic essence of working: ?Our approach should be ?how? to think and not ?what? to think.?
Kishore Asthana focuses on the current aberrations in Hindu society and its impact on the evolution of nationhood. He says, ?I find a religion reduced to a profession by those who should be guarding it.?
This compilation presenting a variety of views on nationhood provides sufficient food for thought.
(Shree Natraj Prakashan, 306 JMD House, 4378/4B Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002.)
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