India and its influence on other nations...

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.

So Much in common, yet...

This is an image taken by a friend at Yjog Jakarta and I borrowed the image as I could not make it to the place.

Shown in the picture is the birth of Buddha.

If I had not mentioned about the place, then, many could easily take it for Indian Art. Just notice the striking resemblances between this image and the images seen in Indian temples.

Even culture is similar. At many places over SE Asia, greeting people with "Folded hands" is common. They eat rice and other vegetables. Traditional houses are similar to Indian dwellings.

I had been to a museum in Jakarta, and there in the displays, I happened to notice the script of Tamil as in Pallava period. The rituals followed are same as what we follow in India.

So much in common, yet so much difference. Difference in the practices of religion, dressing, all came over the time.

If a land as far as Indonesia can have so much in common, Pallavas ruled it during 12th century is a fact, but 12th century is long back, will we not have much in common with our neighbours? Those neighbours with whom we separated only 50 years back. I cant understand why the hatred is being pursued instead of brotherhood?

Personally, I would like to travel to any part in Subcontinent, without visa, safe and happily, visit all the lands where our ancestors dwelled, and make friends with the locals. Is my dream possbile to become true? Time has to reveal...

Change in Lifestyles....

India is divided - not on political issues or issues of borders. But it is divided in terms of values, culture, climate, languages, etc. Division on the basis of language, climate and cultural aspects is a fact known to many. We all read during school that "India is land of diversity...", we named that division as diversity.

The difference is that this cultural diversity has increased with new variations of existing culture coming into effect as well as new definitions for age old values sprouting up. Change is seen in all areas, making this diversity a striking fact. Change is common and it is to welcomed. Else, life would be monotnous and dull. But, this change also effects human relations, thinking, it effects every walk of life.

It is this change that is seen today, making the youth confused, making the generation gap visible in people who are born with two to three years of difference, etc. Sometimes, its even spoiling the relationships with elders.

Increased death rate by heart failure in youngsters and youth due as a result of increased stress levels, increasing display of carefree attitude, loss of childhood for kids, all these are effects of change in a negative way.

Gone are the days when being a child meant enjoying the life they wish, without caring for exams or competition or high percentage or rather homework. Very few kids of today are enjoying these pleasures, pleasures that are very valuable to a kid.

Gone are the days when majority of the woman are confined to the thresholds of the house and men recognised as bread winners for the family. Roles have reversed in many families. A girl in the family reaching 18 years means its time to search for groom is a bygone in many families, yet its the situation for many a gal.

Women are reaching out to the world, extending their career, yet, there are instances of foetus deaths and child marriages. Men being subjected to harrasment is as common as women facing the harrasment. Unfortunately, only woes of a woman are spoken out and considered by many. It is still a common notion that Men are meant to be brave, never let their emotions out; Women are weak by nature, they should limit themselves to softwork.

All the above points would be the point of focus for some of my bolg entries. I have my thoughts and feelings on the above issues. Many times, I feel that we are fooling ourselves in the name of values and many times leading a wayward life on the name of freedom. I want to put my feelings and thoughts in writing. I invite discussions on these issues, cos, I believe that sharing of thoughts would always enlighten a person and an healthy argument is required in every aspect, to know the other side of the coin.

All these are my thoughts, the thoughts that crop in my mind when I think of any thing, and these include both negative and positive thinking.

Change...

Now, the style of this blog would change, the change is to be seen and felt, and am not going to reveal anything. Its not going to be a drastic change, that is for sure. As a friend said some time back, "No change that comes overnight stays for ever". He also said that "Those who display drastic change should not be trusted"

There was a time when many used to say to me "Kiran, you got to change","Kiran, change this xxx habbit to yyyyy" or like that. I used to try and at the same time fail. I was getting irritated when people told me the same. Let me tell you, many of these people were my colleagues, and now I would say happily, my wellwishers and friends. I could not answer them back for two reasons: firstly the respect and high regards I hold for them and secondly some of them are my seniors, very seniors to me at work

One fine day, when yet another colleague, whom I again treat with High respect was telling me the same, I was out of control and then asked him "why is it that every one asks me to change this and change that attitude/habbit of mine. And yet, when I change, they keep on telling me the same"

Then he replied "You should never let change come in you because others want it, you should let it come because you want to. Unless you have the will to change, and the change comes naturally, it is not a change, it is an act. No change happens overnight, it is a process that takes its own time, which cannot be defined. And if a person displays a change overnight, one should never trust him"

Thanks to him and his words, I understood where I was faltering and now, I am not the same person I was 2 years before. I was not even the person I was six mnths back or one month back.

My current colleagues say that I am becoming more calm and that they cant understand the reason. I too dont know, but, one thing I understood is that I still feel the need to change and hence the slow transformation in me.

Sometimes, our innerself takes over the control of mind and drives us. And it can happen unknowingly. Whether this change is for good or bad, its time that would tell. And its the same in my situation also now. :-)

One year on Blogger

Time flys very fast, and it also treasures many a moments. Its an year since I started blogging and thats where I say time flied very fast.

Many things / events happened in this year, learnt a lot of lessons, met with changes in life, got new friends, visited new places, lots and lots of things. When I think about them, I feel like, its a long long ago. But still, its like yesterday.

Thanks a ton to Blogger for helping me in discovering my self and learning things about others.