Udaipur: “Bharat’s resurgence requires research rooted in the Bharatiya perspective, civilisational knowledge traditions, and freedom from colonial mindsets,” said Prajna Pravah Akhil Bharatiya Sah Sanyojak Chandrakant Ji while addressing a lecture at Mohanlal Sukhadia University.
The Office of the Dean of Postgraduate Studies organised a lecture on the theme “Research and Bharat’s Resurgence” at the Bappa Rawal Seminar Hall, Guest House, Mohanlal Sukhadia University. The programme was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kailash Daga.
Chandrakant Ji shared his views on Bharat’s education system, the approach to research, and the impact of colonial thinking. Referring to Macaulay’s education system, he said that it influenced the thinking and research outlook of Bharatiyas. He also discussed why the Boden Chair for Sanskrit was established in Britain and how several misconceptions and erroneous narratives regarding Bharat’s knowledge tradition were propagated. He cited the Aryan Invasion Theory as one such historical misconception.
Explaining the influence of the colonial mindset, Chandrakant Ji gave the example that black is merely a colour, yet terms such as blackmailing, black marketing, and blacklisting have associated it with negative meanings. He said such uses of language and ideas should also be understood in a broader historical and social context.
Clarifying the distinction between Dharma and Religion, he said that Dharma is not the name of a narrow religious identity but a moral guide and ethical standard for life. Referring to terms such as Dharmachakra, Dharmashala, Dharmakanta, Dharmabhai, and Dharmabehen, he said that in the Bharatiya tradition, Dharma is associated with morality and a sense of duty in various spheres of life. Therefore, he said, it is incorrect to understand Dharma merely as religion.
Chandrakant Ji observed that Bharat has faced various invasions and challenges for nearly a thousand years. In such circumstances, rebuilding self-confidence among the people is essential. He said it is important to understand and take pride in Bharat’s knowledge traditions and historical achievements, but merely glorifying the past is not enough. Bharat must also focus on contemporary research challenges and chart new directions in research inspired by the Indian perspective and the Indian knowledge tradition.
Highlighting the difference between Bharat and Western social outlooks, he said that in Bharatiya society the family is considered the smallest social unit, whereas in Western societies the individual is regarded as the basic social unit. He added that Bharatiya philosophy regards Ananda (bliss) as the ultimate and highest goal of human life.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kailash Daga said that harmonising the Indian perspective with global understanding can create new opportunities for students and researchers. Earlier, Dean of Postgraduate Studies Prof. K. B. Joshi emphasised the need for research on contemporary challenges and solution-oriented subjects.
