As we celebrate the 74th anniversary of our independence from the British rule, we appear to be even more resolute in our persistence to deny some of the unpleasant facts, that allowed Europeans to conquer and brutalize ancient and wealthy civilizations, such as ours. We refuse to accept the answers and explanations to the uncomfortable questions, that are relevant today, more than ever. For example, consider the following:
1. How did Europeans, whom we believed to
be primitive, become so powerful in the Middle Ages, especially 14th
and 15th century, that they were able to conquer and enslave ancient
civilization which had mastered art, science, mathematics, and philosophy?
Most of us refuse
to acknowledge, it was the Renaissance, total break from the
past dogmas and acceptance of a new paradigm, that helped Europeans reinvent
themselves as a great political, economic, and scientific power that shall rule
the world for many centuries and continue to materially influence it even today when their
physical rule has ended.
It was the resolve
to, inter alia, confine the power of the Church to the matters of
religion; bring the art out of paintings on tall walls of Churches and Palaces on the street, in the realm of common people, by constructing larger than life liberating sculptors on the “ground”;
add hitherto prohibited colors to the art; allow students to question the
teachers; liberally welcome and adopt the knowledge from foreign cultures,
including number system developed by Hindus and evolved by Arabs; venture into
far off seas; allow the women equality that unshackled the Europeans and
allowed them to conquer the world.
2. Why, even after 74years of the end of,
what was one of the most exploitive and brutal colonial rules, the legacy of
British rule is not only surviving but thriving in India?
The policy
makers and businessmen in India still prefer the same colonial economic model
which British used to enrich their less endowed lands at the expense of richly
endowed colonies; our politicians prefer to act and behave in the same manner as
the European feudal lords would do in 16th Century; and divide and Rule
is still the most preferred political strategy.
3. Why do we as a society appear to be
suffering from a bi-polar disorder?
On one hand we
aspire to be the great power that once dominated the global civilization through indigenous
industry, art, literature, science, philosophy and spirituality for a significant
part of the human civilization; while on the other hand we prefer to emulate
the relatively nascent western cultures in every aspect of our life, including
governance, education, culture, food, etiquettes and even personal
relationships.
We cannot even
accept that formal attires of Europe (Jacket, Pants, Neck Tie, non-cotton skirts
and blouses etc.) and Central Asia (Long coats, Sherwani, overall cover ups
like Burqua) is suitable for extreme climates and is mostly unsuitable to
Indian climate. Adopting this as our formal work place and social attire we may
have created avoidable demand for millions of tonnes of air conditioning, and
added to warming of overall temperature.
I regret to
note that today my social media timeline is full of signs that indicate to our
dismal state of denial. It highlights that freedom is something that we really may
not be wanting.
The government
has notified 14th August as “The Partition Horrors Remembrance Day”,
on the 75th Independence Day. This is a clear signal that we do not want our
predominantly youth populace to be free from the pain, misery and failures of the
past. It is pertinent to note that less than one third of the Indian population directly
suffered the horrors of the partition. One must be at least 5yr old in 1947 to
remember the horrors suffered during partition. I am sure only a few thousands
of those who are 80yr old and suffered or witnessed the horrors of partition may
be physically alive today. Why do we want to enslave 1.4bn people to the thoughts
of the horrors of partition, is beyond my comprehension!
A judge in the
Indore Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Courts, recently observed in a rape case
that "India are a conservative society, it has not yet reached such
level (advance or lower) of civilization where unmarried girls…indulge in
carnal activities with boys just for the fun of it, unless the same is backed
by some future promise/assurance of marriage”.
#BoycottRadhikaApte
is trending on Twitter. Radhika, a young film actress has essayed some critically
acclaimed roles. She is globally acknowledged as a good actress. Radhika famously
acted in a nude scene in a movie few years ago; and recently acknowledged in a
media interview that she finds acting in nude scenes liberating.
“Fifty Shades
of Grey”, a bold movie, with abundance of nudity and sexual conduct, has been
trending in top 10 watched movies in India, for past more than 4months at
least.
A society, in
which a senior judge would decide on the carnal desires of all the young women,
and public supports the call to boycott a brilliant actress for acting nude,
while repeatedly watching a near pornographic movie, is certainly not Free.
If Renaissance
was ever needed more, it is in India today. We need to bring out the traditional
liberated Indian Idea about a just, equal and evolved society from the walls of
the temples and ancient revered texts to the ground and exhibit it on every
street and crossing.
To attain
freedom, we need to reinvent ourselves as a new progressive society that is
free from all legacies of slavery and bitterness of the past; encourages
children to ask uncomfortable question; avoids dogmas and promotes pragmatism; true
to itself and to the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment