Latest news with #Indianness
Scroll.in
a day ago
- General
- Scroll.in
Urdu short story: ‘What kind of nationalism is it to live in India and have an Arabic name?'
I'd said to myself: Why don't I do my own Bhartiya-karan, that is, Indianise myself, before someone else thinks of doing it? The first problem was my name. Perhaps you don't know: my name is Iqbal Chand. It occurred to me that 'Iqbal' is an Arabic word. What kind of nationalism is it to live in India and have an Arabic name? And so, I changed my name to Kangaal Chand. As it happens, this name is far better suited to my financial condition considering that 'kangaal' means 'poor'. And why just me, it suits the rest of my country too. The second problem that arose was of the dress. There was no trace of Indianness in the pants, coat and tie that I wore. In fact, all three were a reflection of my slave mentality. I was amazed that I had worn them all this while. I decided to wear pajamas instead of pants. But then, a certain Persian person told me that the pajama had come to India from Iran. And so, I began to wear dhoti and kurta. But not a kameez, as the word 'kameez', too, is of Arabic origin and it reeks of the stench and stink of an Arab! The third problem was of hair! After all, was it not treachery against the country, a blatant form of antinationalism, to keep one's hair fashioned in the English style? I instructed the barber to keep only one lock of long hair at the back of my head and shave off the rest. He did exactly that. I had seen images from ancient India showing men with long and lush moustaches. Following their example, I began to grow my moustache. When my friends saw the large moustache on my somewhat small face, they assumed that I had put on a fake one, possibly because I was acting in some play. Forget my friends, when I saw myself in this new look, I began to feel that I had been created not by God, but Shankar, the cartoonist. But I did not lose heart. One has to do all manner of things to be Indian. Now we come to my eyeglasses. I asked several pandits: 'Is there any mention of eyeglasses in the Ramayana or the Mahabharata?' They said: 'In those days people didn't eat vanaspati ghee and so their eyesight did not weaken while they were still young.' I asked: 'Did Sugreev, Kunbhkaran, Dushasan and all the rest have such good eyesight that they never felt the need to wear eyeglasses?' The pandits replied: 'All of them applied kajal in their eyes.' I found the solution to my problem. I took off my spectacles and began to apply kajal. As a consequence, when it got dark, I began to mistake a rope for a snake and a goat for a dog. And when I attempted to read a book, the words turned into black doodles. In a few days, even during the day, I began to mistake one thing for another. I consulted an eye doctor. He advised: 'If you don't wish to become blind, kindly wear your spectacles.' 'But it is not Indian.' 'How does it matter? This watch that you have strapped on your wrist is not Indian and this cigarette that you are smoking isn't Indian either.' 'You have rightly reminded me. From tomorrow, I shall smoke a huqqah.' 'What have you decided about the watch?' 'I shall take it off.' 'And if you have to know the time?' 'I shall ask someone.' 'Do as you please, but kindly wear your spectacles, or else you will lose your eyesight.' Thinking that I would simply add to the number of blind people in India if I were to become blind, I went back to wearing my glasses. One night, as I was watching television, a friend of mine pointed out somewhat caustically, 'Television is not Indian.' Ruing his utter ignorance, I said, 'If there was no television in ancient India, how could Sanjay give an eyewitness account of the events of the great war of Mahabharata to King Dhritrashtra?' 'It was a miracle of yog and meditation.' 'You may call it a miracle of yog. I would like to believe that Sanjay had a television set.' 'What happened to that set after Sanjay's death?' 'It was destroyed in the great war of Mahabharata.' A few days later, another friend picked on me. He said: 'You have done your Bhartiya-karan, but why do you still wear boots?' 'I shall wear a joota from tomorrow.' I found it quite difficult to walk in the joota because it bit my foot terribly. But I paid no heed to the pain. However, wagging tongues will wag as long as people have something to say. Someone said, 'Why do you always go to the office in a bus or a taxi? You should travel in a chariot or a palanquin.' Annoyed, I replied, 'Where are palanquins and chariots to be found in the twentieth century?' 'Then you should walk.' 'The office is eight miles away. How can I go on foot?' 'Then forget this business of Bhartiya-karan.' 'I can't do that.' In a sly tone, they got back with another quip. 'Your wife still wears lipstick and powder. When will her Bhartiya-karan take place?' The words were bitter but true. I vowed that I would insist that my wife henceforth colour her lips with betel juice and use sandalwood paste instead of face powder. Now I thought that no one could point a finger at me and say that I was not one hundred per cent Indian. But I was proved to be wrong. One evening, a group of young men came to my house under the pretext of congratulating me. In the course of the conversation, they said to me, 'Despite being a complete Indian, why do you have a telephone in your house?' 'The telephone is a necessity for everyday life.' 'But it was not invented in India.' 'Nor was electricity.' 'You are absolutely correct. You must light lamps instead of electric bulbs.' 'How can lamps give sufficient light?' 'Why have you kept chairs in your house?' 'To sit on.' 'The ancient Indians did not sit on chairs.' 'Where did they sit?' 'On the floor.' After a lapse of a few minutes, one young man spoke up. 'Why do you drink tea?' 'What else should I drink?' 'Joshanda.' 'Joshanda is not worth drinking.' 'Fine, then drink milk.' 'I can't digest milk. Moreover, it is very expensive.' 'Why does your son study in medical college?' 'I want him to become a doctor.' 'Why doctor? Why not vaid?' 'I don't have any faith in the Ayurvedic system.' 'But that's pure Indian.' 'Maybe. But I don't like it.' 'You like all other Indian things, why not this?' 'I don't have an answer to this question.' 'Then that means that you are not a hundred per cent Indian.' They went away. But I was left in a terrible dilemma. Despite everything I had done, I had still not done a complete Bhartiya-karan on myself. Will I really have to light lamps? Must I drink joshanda? Will I have to send my son to the gurukul? And even when I have done all this, the nit-pickers will still say: Why do you read an English newspaper? Why do you take penicillin injections? Why do you eat cakes and biscuits? Why do you call your wife 'Darling'? After thinking long and hard, I decided to make an announcement through the newspapers: 'I have done my Bhartiya-karan to the extent it was possible. I do not have the capacity to do any further Bhartiya-karan.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
'Bharatiyata' only solution to all problems world facing today: RSS chief Bhagwat
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) exhorted people to imbibe 'Indianness' and show the world the answers to all problems it is facing. Addressing an event here, Mr. Bhagwat said the world is facing a plethora of problems due to materialism and now looking up to Bharat for answers as all the efforts taken over the past 2000 years to bring happiness and contentment in people's lives based on Western ideas have failed. All the advancements in the field of science and economic progress in the world brought things of luxury and eased people's lives but could not end sorrow, he said. 'Exploitation increased, poverty increased. The gap between the poor and the rich kept increasing day by day,' Mr. Bhagwat said at the event jointly organised by IGNOU and Akhil Bharatiya Anuvrat Nyas. 'After the first world war, several books were written advocating peace, a league of nations was formed so that there is no war again in future but the World War II broke out. After the second world war, UNO was formed. But we are (today) thinking if there will be a third world war,' he added. Bhagwat said 'Bharatiyata' (Indianness) is the only solution to all the problems the world is facing today. 'What does it mean to be of Bharat? Bharatiyata is not citizenship. Of course, citizenship is required. But, one has to have Bharat's 'swabhav' (nature) to belong to Bharat. Bharat's 'swabhav' thinks about the whole life. There are four 'Purusharth' (four goals in Hindu philosophy)...'moksha' (liberation) is ultimate goal of life,' he said. Bharat's nature is based on 'dharma drishti' (vision), Mr. Bhagwat said. It is due to this discipline of dharma, Bharat was once the most prosperous nation and the world knows it, he said. 'That's why the world looks up to Bharat, hoping that it will show a new path to them. We have to show the path to the world. For this, we have to prepare our 'rashtra' (nation), starting with ourselves and our family,' Mr. Bhagwat said. 'See if we are following our 'drishti' (vision) in our daily life or not, and make amends,' he added. Exhorting the gathering to 'gear up' for transformation, Mr. Bhagwat said, 'The history that we know is taught by the West. I am hearing that some changes are being made in the syllabus in our country'. 'For them, Bharat does not exist. It appears in the world map, but not in their thoughts. If you look at books, you will find China, Japan, not Bharat,' he added.
The Print
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
‘Bharatiyata' only solution to all problems world facing today: RSS chief Bhagwat
All the advancements in the field of science and economic progress in the world brought things of luxury and eased people's lives but could not end sorrow, he said. Addressing an event here, Bhagwat said the world is facing a plethora of problems due to materialism and now looking up to Bharat for answers as all the efforts taken over the past 2000 years to bring happiness and contentment in people's lives based on Western ideas have failed. New Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday exhorted people to imbibe 'Indianness' and show the world the answers to all problems it is facing. 'Exploitation increased, poverty increased. The gap between the poor and the rich kept increasing day by day,' Bhagwat said at the event jointly organised by IGNOU and Akhil Bharatiya Anuvrat Nyas. 'After the first world war, several books were written advocating peace, a league of nations was formed so that there is no war again in future but the World War II broke out. After the second world war, UNO was formed. But we are (today) thinking if there will be a third world war,' he added. Bhagwat said 'Bharatiyata' (Indianness) is the only solution to all the problems the world is facing today. 'What does it mean to be of Bharat? Bharatiyata is not citizenship. Of course, citizenship is required. But, one has to have Bharat's 'swabhav' (nature) to belong to Bharat. Bharat's 'swabhav' thinks about the whole life. There are four 'Purusharth' (four goals in Hindu philosophy)…'moksha' (liberation) is ultimate goal of life,' he said. Bharat's nature is based on 'dharma drishti' (vision), Bhagwat said. It is due to this discipline of dharma, Bharat was once the most prosperous nation and the world knows it, he said. 'That's why the world looks up to Bharat, hoping that it will show a new path to them. We have to show the path to the world. For this, we have to prepare our 'rashtra' (nation), starting with ourselves and our family,' Bhagwat said 'See if we are following our 'drishti' (vision) in our daily life or not, and make amends,' he added. Exhorting the gathering to 'gear up' for transformation, Bhagwat said, 'The history that we know is taught by the West. I am hearing that some changes are being made in the syllabus in our country'. 'For them, Bharat does not exist. It appears in the world map, but not in their thoughts. If you look at books, you will find China, Japan, not Bharat,' he added. PTI PK PK KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
RSS-linked Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas to discuss ‘Indianness' in education at 4-day Kerala meet
Kerala governor, education ministers of various states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Puducherry, have been invited for the meeting, he said. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will attend the meeting at Kalady, the birthplace of the Adi Shankaracharya, from July 25, said Nyas national secretary Atul Kothari on Friday. New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Around 300 educationists, including vice chancellors of universities, will come together in Kerala to discuss ways to revive 'Indianness' in the country's education system at a four-day meeting to be organised by RSS-linked Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas later this month. 'We have been working to bring a change in education. But it is not possible by the efforts of just one organisation. This four-day Gyan Sabha, from July 25 to July 28, is an effort to bring together all those who are working for change,' he told a press conference here. Kothari said around 300 educationists, including vice chancellors of various universities, and representatives from different organisations that run schools and higher education institutions will attend the meeting. Sharing the agenda of the meeting, he said the delegates will discuss various topics, including the 'revival of Indian education (system), identification of elements of Indianness in education and their inclusion in institutional work'. 'Education for a developed India' is another topic to be discussed at the meeting, he said, adding Bhagwat will address the delegates on 'Indianness in education' on July 27. Kothari said a special session will also be organised to discuss how to improve the quality of education in Kerala. Around 200 educationists from the state are expected to attend the event. Representatives from organisations like Art of Living, Gayatri Parivaar, Patyanjali, and Vivekanand Yoga Anusandhan Kendra are also expected to attend the meeting, he said. The four-day meeting will also review the work done by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas and discuss its future strategy to achieve its goals. PTI PK PK NSD NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
RSS chief to attend four-day education summit in Kerala; focus on NEP rollout and Indian knowledge systems
NEW DELHI: A four-day education summit will be held in Kalady, Kerala, from July 25 to 28 to chart a roadmap for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) and strengthening traditional knowledge systems. Organised by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, an RSS linked body working to 'revive Indian ethos in education,' the Gyan Sabha will bring together around 300 selected educationists from across India, along with senior officials and spiritual organisations. Vice-chancellors of universities, directors of central institutions, AICTE chairperson T G Sitharam, UGC vice-chairperson, and the director of NAAC are expected to attend, alongside government representatives. 'Education ministers from Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Puducherry have confirmed their participation. We are not inviting all ministers or vice-chancellors, but a select group of key stakeholders who can contribute meaningfully to this deliberation,' Atul Kothari, national secretary of the Nyas, said in a statement. A parallel programme will focus on Kerala's education sector, with 1,000 participants, including 200 selected educationists from the state and Governor Rajendra Arlekar, a press statement informed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo 'Since this is the first time such a large event is being held in Kerala, we wanted local educators and eminent citizens to benefit from it as well. Our goal is to bring together all those working in education—institutions, organisations, and individuals—on a common platform to develop a collective blueprint for reform,' Kothari said. The RSS chief, Mohan Bhagwat, will attend the summit and deliver a lecture on July 27 on 'Indianness in Education' at a public event. On the final day, July 28, he will address a national brainstorming session titled 'Gyan Sabha: Viksit Bharat Hetu Shiksha'. Kothari said Bhagwat's presence underlines 'the Sangh's growing engagement with educational reform as part of its larger cultural and social agenda.' The Nyas has previously organised initiatives like Gyan Kumbh and Gyan Mahakumbh to promote Indian knowledge traditions, languages, mathematics, skill development, and character building. 'As Dr D S Kothari said decades ago, education is the most powerful instrument of national transformation. Our challenge is to combine India's heritage with contemporary needs,' Kothari added. While supporters view this as a necessary corrective to colonial-era systems, critics have accused the RSS of seeking to saffronise education. The summit comes amid heightened debate over curriculum reforms and the NEP's rollout across states.
