month

[Guest guest]

Namaskar,

 

New Year Greetings from www.esamskriti.com.

 

The attack on Parliament was India's own version of Sept 11. What's new! Post

independent India has seen many Sept 11's. For about a month it is front page

news, politicans talk tough - we will retailiate - do not wear bangles - hot

pursuit option is debated THEN the media discovers another story and the last

terrorists attack shifts to page 3,5. A few months later India is egged on by

the world and media to start talking to Pakistan. Dialogue with an open mind on

Jammu and Kashmir, normalization of relations - prevent a nuclear war. After

lots of worldwide plodding the two heads of state are to meet. Before that as a

sign of goodwill India makes unilateral concessions. The media goes into a

frenzy - a breakthrough is imminent - now is the SUMMIT - Kashmir is to get

resolved - cross border terrorism will stop - Dawood to be deported - we want

peace. The Indian intelligentia gives its government and poor countrymen a

series of articles on how we must strengthen the hands of the Pakistani Prime

Minister / President so make peace. When the Indian govt summons courage to

attack Pakistan we do not go in for a decisive victory or if 1971 is repeated

we gift away gains on the negotiating table.

 

Friends can you think of another nation that has consistently been so badly

humiliated by another but fails to respond adequately. You may wonder! Were we

Indians always like this, scared to take the battle into the enemy camp, talk

big but do next to zilch, offer one cheek and as Gandhi said ever willing to

offer the other, national interest -security what! What did our ancestors have

to say on foreign policy? Are we what we are today of Gandhi's Ahimsa and

Nehruvian policies? These are some questions to which you will find answers to

in this months feature.

 

love and om

sanjeev nayyar

 

Feature of the Month -

 

1. Why has Asceticism led to the Weakening of Bharat - Quote Sri Aurobindo

'Every ascetic movement since the time of the Buddha has left India weaker and

for a obvious reason. Renunciation of life is one thing, to make life itself

national, individual, world-life greater and divine is another. You cannot

enforce one ideal on the country without weakening of the other'. The essay

attempts to understand Sri Aurobindo’s mind. Although said before 1920, the

period covered by this article starts from 500 BC & ends with 2000 AD ie from

Buddha, Mahavir, Ashoka, Gandhi – Nehru and ends with Vajpayee. The chapters

are 1. Dharma, Buddha and Mahavir, their teachings and impact on our lives. 2.

Asoka – political events during Asoka’s rule, his teachings and concept of

Dharma, Post Asoka, reasons for downfall of the Mauryan empire and impact. 3.

Rulers after Asoka – Yavanas, Sakas, Kushanas in brief and their impact. 4.

Prosperous India (320 to 750 AD) – Gupta Rule, Arab invasions the myth and

impact. 5. 750 to 1000 AD – Rule of Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Palas in brief

with impact. 6. Gandhian Asceticism: Gandhi’s definition of Satyagraha, Did

India get independence because of Ahimsa, Will Ahimsa work everywhere and Was

Ahimsa followed by all. 7. Impact of Ahimsa on Independent India, the

Nehruvian legacy has left India weaker. 8. What does the Holy Geeta on Ahimsa?

 

2. Temple Visiting, is it a Religious Act? - visiting a temple can become

ritualistic but in a spiritual sense means a lot more. The article shares some

personal experiences and also tells yu Why are Indian temples situated high up

in the hills?

 

3. Chanakya on Foreign Policy - The article takes quotes from the chapter on

foreign policy in Chanakya's Arthashashtra and explains them in a contemporary

context covering the period from Shivaji (1650) to 2000. The topics covered

include are 'basic principles governing foreign policy, six methods of foreign

policy, choice of allies etc. It is a selection of quotes, if you want to buy

the Arthashastra the one published by Penguin is good.

 

4. India's Contribution to China - Quote former Chinese ambassador to the U.S.

Hu Shih, “ India conquered and dominated China culturally for 20 centuries

without ever having to send a single soldier across her border.” Over five

chapters the article seeks to tell you why Hu Shih made this statement. The

chapters are Introduction of Buddhism into China, 320 to 750 a.d. includes

India’s relations with Tibet and the Far East, relations during 750 to 1000

a.d., personal experiences of Indians with Chinese and lastly Can century old

relations be converted into a Foreign Policy Advantage for India?

 

5. Handling a Sabbatical - In these recession driven times one could get laid

off or fired for reasons outside your control. More so in India this could

leave you shatterred, result in stress and loss of self-esteem. How does one

handle such a situation, neigbors, friends and family and overcome?

 

See You at the Site

 

Discover your Indian Roots at - http://www.esamskriti.comLong Live Kshatriya

Dharam.Generate Positive Vibrations lifelong worldwide.Aap ka din mangalmaya

rahe or Shubh dinam astu or Have a Nice Day

 

Essays on - Culture & philosophy, Wars& foreign affairs, Festivals,Great men of

India, Ancient India, History, Indian Culture, Why, and Photographs of India.

Also 369 Quotes on Love, Life, Relationships and Work.