To my previous post, Kiran Chakravadhanula has given a comment
"Nice post.I believe there are Vishnu temples in angkor (cambodia) and also Muktinath, nepal.India is a very unique place culturally, it has influenced much of Asia if not the world to a great degree. Too bad that many Indians dont realise this."
As I was composing this text, I received a mail from a friend with the following contents:
Some of the following facts may be known to you. These facts were recently published in a German magazine, which deals with WORLD HISTORY FACTS ABOUT INDIA .
1. India never invaded any country in her last 1000 years of history.
2. India invented the Number system. Zero was invented by Aryabhatta.
3. The world's first University was established in Takshila in 700BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects... The University of Nalanda built in the 4 th century BC was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
4. According to the Forbes magazine, Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer software.
5. Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to humans.
6. Although western media portray modern images of India as poverty striken and underdeveloped through political corruption, India was once the richest empire on earth.
7. The art of navigation was born in the river Sindh 5000 years ago. The very word "Navigation" is derived from the Sanskrit word NAVGATIH. (Course of a Boat)
8. The value of pi was first calculated by Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is now known as the Pythagorean Theorem. British scholars have last year (1999) officially published that Budhayan's works dates to the 6th Century which is long before the European mathematicians.
9. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus came from India . Quadratic equations were by Sridharacharya in the 11 th Century; the largest numbers the Greeks and the Romans used were 106 whereas Indians used numbers as big as 1053.
10. According to the Gemmological Institute of America, up until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds to the world.
11. USA based IEEE has proved what has been a century-old suspicion amongst academics that the pioneer of wireless communication was Professor Jagdeesh Bose and not Marconi.
12. The earliest reservoir and dam for irrigation was built in Saurashtra.
13. Chess was invented in India .
14. Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago he and health scientists of his time conducted surgeries like cesareans, cataract, fractures and urinary stones. Usage of anaesthesia was well known in ancient India .
15. When many cultures in the world were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilisation).
16. The place value system, the decimal system was developed in India in 100 BC.
Well, all these are some of the great things regarding India. rather I should say, Bharatdesh. India is a name given to us by Britishers and Hindustan is what our patriots call it. I prefer to call my Country Bharat.
We did have an influence on many countries in Asia and Europe. There were many historical events and still some places in East Asia follow the culture imparted by our rulers hundreds of years back. It is from India that the concept of greeting people with clasped palms and fingers has arisen. Clasping of palms and fingers in a posture where the palm is drawn near to the heart means that we are welcoming the visitors wholeheartedly. And the same could be seen in Some countries in East Asia, like Thailand, Malaysia, etc.
The Symbol Swastik used by Hitler is borrowed from India. They say that many Vedic Scriptures were taken away from India by foreigners, for they contain many secrets. And Vedic scriptures containing secrets is true.
This is all our past. In the present day, we are fighting, not realising the harm we are doing for ourselves. We love to claim our ancestral roots, but we never take care to preserve them or restore them. We dont even care to follow some of the age old established values, which were proved to have scientific meaning. Why comment on others, even I dont follow. I am aware of the change that has come in myself over the past few years. And the same could be seen in everyone.
Inspite of all the changes that we make to ourself, if we can still preserve our culture, our rich heritage, the values passed on from elders to us, I am sure that we can be doing a better living than what we are today.
I feel surprised to see people who cant speak in their mother language or read/write in that lang. They fancy themselves and speak in english. I dont say that speaking in other languages is not good. You got to speak, in as many languages as possible. only then you can communicate with people of other cultures. But, whats the use when you cannot speak in your mother toungue, the one in which your people speak.
And I am sure that this is not restricted to India alone. This is visible world wide.
Early 1900's saw a revolution in which people across the world changed a lot, major change was seen in lifestyles and the way people perceived relationships. Divorce rate increased slowly. Now, something similar is happening. Lets wait and watch how the tide of time will turn the things and people's attitude.
