Guest guest Posted February 16, 2001 Report Share Posted February 16, 2001 Let me share my experience of an interview at the BBC World Service. I was asked to go to BBC Bush House London today to participate in a discussion on the theme of 'secular and spiritual India'. The set-up was quite interesting. In London studio there was me and an interviewer in the studio. In the Delhi studio they had Mark Tully and a professor from Nehru University. It was a four way conversation - in two different locations! The Indian professor was going on about secular India and how spirituality that I was talking about is really the 'Brahmin caste spirituality'. I had to correct him that I was presenting spirituality in the manner promoted by Swami Vivekananda - that is not a limited approach only suitable for the upper castes! My main contribution was to point out that the central theme of the Indian nation has been spirituality for thousands of year. At the moment the people of India are trying to regain their spiritual 'poise' - their centre of gravity in this new world order where science, technology and material pursuits hold centre stage. The loss of confidence in spiritual values is the real cause of unease experienced by the nation. It is this uncertainly that can be seen as the real cause of malaise seen in the social and political structures of present day India. As the discussion developed I realised that what the interviewer was trying to focus on was the political aspects highlighted by BJP at the Kumbh mela. Mark Tully was very balanced in his reporting. He mentioned his visit to the Kumbh mela and how the ordinary Hindu there was not taken in easily by political propaganda - he was there to exhibit his love for spirituality and was not going to get caught up in politics. I have always liked Mark Tully's reporting and his sincere love of spiritual matters. It was nice to make his acquaintance in this unusual manner. jay Vivekananda Centre London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2001 Report Share Posted February 17, 2001 - " RAMAKRISHNA MISSION " <nc0007 " Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda Saturday, February 17, 2001 01:35 Re: BBC World Service > > Glad to see your mail. You are perfectly correct - Mark Tully really > understands the culture and traditions of India and appreciates it. It is a > pity that the so-called professors of India are so taken up by politics that > they miss the underlying unity of the religion and culture. I have been > very enthusiastically hearing Mark Tully for several years and I really > admire him. It is good that you participated in the discussion and gave the > right interpretation in the light of Swamiji's teachings. We need more like > you. > > Best wishes and namaskar, > swami atmeshananda > Singapore > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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