An engrossing discussion on the book Lok, Beyond Folk was organised by HOPE (House of Political Empowerment: Research and Innovation Foundation) at the North Campus of the Delhi University. Lok, Beyond Folk is an important attempt to understand the culture of the nation beyond the established notions. Shri J Nandakumar, the National Convenor of Prajna Pravah, RSS was the chief guest in the programme. This book has been edited by him.
On the occasion, Nandakumarji said, “This programme is for youth only. Our youth are ignoring Bhartiya culture. Now is the time to regain our cultural values again. In our culture, the Pancha Bhutas are considered to be the origin of all substances in Indian philosophy. Space, quark, energy, force and matter are considered to be the Pancha Bhutas from which the universe has been created. The buildings built by foreign invaders are part of the history curriculum in India. However, the art and culture of ancient palaces, constructed by Bhartiya rulers, are not included in history textbooks. Teachers are not able to convey Indian nationality and culture to the students. We have to work to make India as Bharat.”
“Our youth are getting away from their culture. Now is the time to get back our cultural values again. We have to work to make India as Bharat. Leftists have misrepresented Indian history” — J Nandakumar, National Convenor, Prajna Pravah, RSS
Pointing out that Leftists have misrepresented Indian history, Nandakumarji said there was a long dispute between Gandhi and Nehru regarding socialism. “We have to be Indian-centric. And we have to correct this type of condition and move towards Indianness.”
Dr Satya Pal Singh, Lok Sabha MP and former Union Minister said, “India can be made Vishwa Guru only when the mindset of our people changes. The Government has come up with the National Education Policy. Will changing the syllabus raise the standard of our education?”
Noting that even today Indians are discriminated when they wear our traditional outfits in our nation and abroad, Dr Singh revealed that he became a victim of this discrimination. “I was not allowed inside at United Service Club America because I was wearing Kurta Pyjama. Similar incident happened in Army Club of Shimla also. In many places in Delhi, if you are wearing Kurta Pajama then you are stopped at the gate itself. This is the situation even after 75 years of Independence. I have been a Minister at the Centre. I also served in the police. I am also a Lok Sabha MP, yet such incidents happen, then you can imagine how much trouble the common people must be facing even today.” Dr Singh said today’s education system was not teaching values to the students. “In this system it is not being told what is the value of our life. It is not being taught in our schools and colleges that there is no God greater than the parents. If this teaching is started, then we will not have a single old age home.”
“India can be made Vishwa Guru only when the mind set of our people changes. Muslim rulers ruled India for 800 years, but they could not change our thinking, but the British did this work in just 200 years of rule” — Dr Satya Pal Singh, Lok Sabha MP, Baghpat
Dr Singh further said that our ancestors did not lie even in jokes. “Now lying is a part of diplomacy. Muslim rulers ruled India for 800 years, but they could not change our thinking, but the British did this work in just 200 years of rule. We have a lot of plans, but no plan to make a good person. The Western virus has entered our brains. If we want to make India a Vishwa Guru, then we have to read Swami Dayanand Saraswati. We have been taught that man is a social animal. Humans are not animals.”
Congratulating the gathering on the completion of 100 years of Delhi University, Professor Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, DU said, “India should be conceptualised on the basis of national self-respect. The coming 25 years are very important for us when India will celebrate 100 years of Independence. National self-respect has been compromised in the last 800 years. The foreigners had occupied not only the land of India but also the minds of the people of India. This book will prove to be important for understanding national self-respect.
“India should be conceptualised on the basis of national self-respect. The coming 25 years are very important for us when India will have 100 years of independence. National self-respect has been compromised in the last 800 years ” — Prof Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, DU
The challenge for us is how to include India and Indianness in education. Indian knowledge and Indian folk traditions have to be linked with our educational system. We are a nation because we have a culture, custom, tradition and a democracy. If we all have common thinking, then India will be a Vishwa Guru. The first task of the Government is the security of the country and the first task of our teachers is to make citizens who care about the country.”
On this occasion, Hope Director Digvijay Singh said that it was a big deal for his organisation that got the responsibility of organising this programme. Apart from this, Anant Prakashan, co-founder of Hope, said that this programme has provided valuable information to the youth about Indian folk traditions. A large number of teachers and about 1,000 students of Delhi University were present in this book discussion.
