Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra
Issues are rooted in history, but flowing into politics, unfortunately: Vikram Sampath https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Apr/13/issues-are-rooted-in-history-but-flowing-into-politics-unfortunately-vikram-sampath
A famous historian once said, "Every work of history is an interim report." It is always a work in progress; new evidence comes up. So, I might have written the most well-researched, well-written book on a particular subject. Suppose you find something new and discover something new, which I have either intentionally ignored or didn't have the capacity to research thoroughly. My thesis could be completely overturned, and my book might end up in the dustbin. Your book might become the new narrative on that subject. So, it's not 'correcting'. What I'd like to say is, it's presenting an alternative version of history...
Every person, whether we are in media, writing, in the public domain, artists, none of us is free from any bias. We can say we are independent, but an element of bias about what we hold very true to ourselves naturally creeps in. That is especially true for writers of non-fiction and history. How to cut off that emotional cord and keep the distance from a subject in which you're so emotionally invested becomes a huge challenge. About the history books, yeah, these will become (political) playgrounds all the time...
Now, what is evidence in the case of history writing? You go to, of course, not just archaeology but also literary sources. Now, when you go to literary sources, we've had celebrated historians of ancient India who proudly claim, "I don't know anything of Sanskrit. I don't know Pali. I don't know Prakrit. I don't know Tamil, I don't know all the classical languages." So, our history is hidden in those languages, in those texts, if you're looking at literary evidence, other than archaeology. Similarly, people who are celebrated mediaeval Indian historians proudly say, "I don't know Arabic and Persian." So, what is my window? I'm looking at a pinhole, to a 5000 years of civilization through this pinhole of English translations done by somebody, mostly Westerners, with their blinkered views or inadequate understanding of language, especially Sanskrit. One word can mean multiple meanings, depending on the context.
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Of #Oppenheimer, #Arjuna and vexing questions of #ethics and morality #Auroville hosts special session on Sunday
In July 1945, as Oppenheimer and other scientists gathered to watch the Trinity nuclear test, the intensity of the explosion would surpass the limits of their imagination. A passage from the Gita would flash through Oppenheimer’s mind: “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendour of the Mighty One”.
His thoughts would then quickly turn to Krishna’s words from the same epic: “Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds”.
https://twitter.com/THPondy/status/1781126358351151281?t=-11OHkD7_uMC_iwkQ8jXug&s=19
Democracy is increasingly becoming a mockery, not only in India but globally, as it drifts away from its core principles. The influence of false religious leaders and greedy corporations exploits democracy for profit, hindering the progress of nations and humanity as a whole.
https://twitter.com/yeldopaul/status/1781341353076465958?t=CSPM67x5ADRNyLeFpwpGaA&s=19
#Culture is often a code word for "status quo" -- because it has an implicit value judgment that it has to be "preserved" & not "changed". Cultures can & should change. This is why the politics of change is called progressive, while the politics of continuity conservative
https://twitter.com/madversity/status/1781348773085491445?t=uSAiaaPsCwm2TB2bSaVnwg&s=19
The New Perspectives in Indian Philosophy (henceforth NPIP) edited by Chakraborty is a scholarly collection of philosophical lectures delivered by Kalidas Bhattacharyya (1911-1984) at the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture during last two decades of his life. Bhattacharyya continued the philosophical legacy of his father, the notable modern Indian philosopher, Krishna Chandra Bhattacharyya (1875-1949) Reviewed by Krishna Mani Pathak, Hindu College, University of Delhi, India Read on blog
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