To celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day, ALotusInTheMud.com invited comments from some eminent people appreciating India’s contribution to the world and its role, which has taken center stage in recent years.
By Parveen Chopra
Kamala Harris, Usha Vance, Nikky Hailey, Rishi Sunak… Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai… Suddenly, the world is waking up to the Indian diaspora’s stratospheric achievements and contributions. India surprised the world by space missions launched on shoestring budgets and supplying Covid vaccines across the world almost free.
We are not surprised, however. India may be only 77 years old, but it stands on many millennia of civilizational wisdom that balanced the spiritual and the temporal.
India’s spiritual message, of course, is perennially purposeful. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Vedas and Upanishads, our indigenous philosophical traditions — including Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism — offer deep insights into human existence and ethical living. Systems such as yoga and meditation have inspired global movements for inner peace and holistic well-being.
India's ethos is characterized by concepts such as ahimsa (non-violence) and vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family), which underscore the importance of compassion, tolerance, and unity in diversity. These concepts show the way to address global challenges, promote interfaith harmony and world peace, and foster a sustainable and inclusive future.
With India finding its rightful place in world affairs and enhancing global advancement and cultural enrichment, distinguished people in India and America comment on India’s civilizational wisdom and its emerging role as Vishwaguru, not just Vishwabandhu.
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- Rajiv Mehrotra
India's rich civilizational heritage is a diverse blend of cultural, philosophical, religious, and scientific contributions. These have had a profound impact not only on the Indian subcontinent but also on the rest of the world. Rooted in ancient traditions and knowledge systems, this heritage continues to evolve and adapt while inspiring and responding to present-day challenges.
At its core, it draws on spiritual traditions that encompass sophisticated, profound, and diverse mind-training techniques. These techniques combine method and wisdom to help us achieve a deep understanding and realization of the true nature of reality. This liberates us from the experience of ‘dukkha’, or the unsatisfactoriness we feel in our lives.
Different approaches to this are offered to individuals with different mental inclinations. These range from the path of action and devotion to knowledge and working with the body and mind to more esoteric and mystical practices. This celebration of diversity respects all faiths and traditions.
One of the most secular, inclusive, and accessible approaches is the practice of different forms of meditation. Science has empirically validated many of these practices, which can be pursued independently of any specific faith or belief system.
Meditation practice first trains our minds to concentrate, a valuable skill applicable in various areas of life. It then guides us to nurture compassion for all sentient beings, recognizing our interdependence with others, including our precious Mother Earth, and that change, or impermanence is the only constant in the scheme of things. This fosters a softening of our exaggerated sense of the 'self' (the I, my, me, mine) that suffers and spontaneously leads to values such as non-violence and a sense of the human species as a community.
Despite the time we dedicate to training ourselves for our professions or to appear physically attractive to others, we neglect to invest in training our minds to live peacefully with ourselves and others. India's civilizational heritage, which has evolved and refined over thousands of years, offers us a way to achieve this. There is no greater contribution to our shared human heritage.
Rajiv Mehrotra is Honorary Trustee & Secretary, the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of H H The Dalai Lama, New Delhi.
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- Swati Arun
Imagine a world without the concept of zero, where the unity of existence is a foreign idea. This is a world devoid of the profound contributions of Indian civilization, a civilization that has woven its wisdom into the very fabric of global knowledge and culture.
India's contributions are not just historical footnotes but living elements of today’s modern life. The zero, an Indian invention, is the cornerstone of the digital age, enabling everything from complex calculations to the technology driving our daily lives. Without it, the modern world as we know it would unravel.
In philosophy, India offers insights that transcend time and geography. The teachings of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita explore the nature of reality, the self, and the universe, inspiring seekers of truth globally. These ancient texts propose a worldview where everything is interconnected, facilitating unity and purpose relevant in our fragmented world.
Yoga and Ayurveda, India’s holistic health systems, have revolutionized wellness. Yoga, embraced by millions worldwide, is more than poses or physical exercise; it is a path to mental clarity and spiritual growth. Ayurveda’s focus on balance and natural healing resonates with contemporary shifts toward sustainable health practices.
India's rich cultural heritage, seen in its music, dance, art, and festivals, adds vibrant colors to the global mosaic. The rhythms of Bharatanatyam and the melodies of Indian classical music have transcended borders, uniting people in a celebration of creativity and joy.
In today’s world, where rapid technological advancements often cost spiritual and ecological balance, India's ancient wisdom provides guiding principles. The philosophy of ahimsa, respect for nature, and the pursuit of inner peace and knowledge are crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change, social inequality, and mental health crises.
India’s civilizational wisdom is not just a relic of the past but a beacon for the future, illuminating pathways to a more balanced, compassionate, and inclusive world.
Swati Arun is the Director of Social Media, Hindu American Foundation, Washington, DC
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- Srinivas Reddy
India is a microcosm of the world, a land of incredible diversity in every aspect: flora, fauna, people, geography, etc. It is a land of multiple languages, religions, cultures, and customs, and yet, a unifying force organically emerges from this multiplicity to bind people together.
Planet Earth today is a macrocosm of India. The world now faces unprecedented challenges related to war, famine, linguistic diversity, and cultural plurality. Much of the Western approach to diversity has been through assimilation. The Indian approach has always been -- live and let live. Thus, individuals and communities in India retain their idiosyncratic cultural practices while contributing to an emergent whole.
The two models are curiously different: the Western model is a soup, a uniform whole made of many elements, whereas the Indian model is a salad in which specific elements retain their individuality within the whole. The Indian approach has its problems, no doubt, but it provides a living example of how multiple cultures can coexist while maintaining their freedom and autonomy.
India has remarkably nurtured pluralism of every kind for millennia. As she celebrates her 78th birthday, we may hope that she lives up to her ancient mandates — in Sanskrit: vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam, and in Tamil: yātum ūre, yāvarum kelir: every city is our city, everyone is our kin.
Srinivas Reddy is a scholar, translator, and classical sitarist. His latest book is ‘Illuminating Worlds: An Anthology of Classical Indian Literature’ (Bloomsbury).
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- Aditi Banerjee
India’s contribution to the world is a civilization, a worldview, an ethos of harmony and pluralism that prioritizes the sustainable well-being of all sentient and non-sentient life forms. This is the basis of Dharma, which upholds and sustains, in accordance with the Rtam, the natural balance and order of the cosmos. Through the vast philosophical and metaphysical treasures of Hinduism and Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, great sages and savants have transmitted to the people of India, and through them, to the far corners of the world the uplifting message that we are inherently divine, we are inherently one, we are here on this Earth to discover our true calling and purpose of self-realization and self-knowledge.
Today, we, especially the younger among us, live in a global marketplace of ideas where we are so overloaded with information (much of it misleading or false) and ideologies, bombarded with propaganda of different kinds, that we need to counterbalance this by going within through silence and meditation, reflection and study of the self, through worship and reverence for nature, through yoga and chanting, through immersion in the words of the enlightened ones, through the storytelling of the epics brought alive by our imagination. These are the marga, the paths that our rishis and ancestors laid out for us. This is the treasure of Indic heritage and civilization. It is a plurality of paths, each designed for the individual based on his or her nature, contextualized by time, place, and circumstance – a way marked not by dogma or revelation but rather self-exploration and discovery. It is our duty to undertake this journey for our attainment and the benefit of all living beings.
Aditi Banerjee is an attorney at a Fortune 500 financial services company. An author of four books, she frequently speaks about Hinduism and the Hindu-American experience.
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Narayani Ganesh
Dravidian India’s contributions to spirituality and wisdom have certain distinctive features evident in Sangam literature, the Bhakti movement, and the richness of the world’s oldest language, Tamil, and its scriptures, some of which date back to pre-Vedic times.
Among the more famous women bhakti saints is Avvaiyar, who propitiated Kartik, the tribal god, called Murugan in Tamil. Her compositions overflow with devotion and deep insights. Both Vaishnav and Shaivite schools have 12 Alvars and 63 Nayanars respectively. Woman Alvar saint Andal, whose love for and devotion to Vishnu so moved him that he appeared before her and took her hand. Her beautiful composition is called the Thiruppavai, sung one stanza a day during the Margazhi month, which falls between December and January. The Thiruvenpavai is a collection of verses composed by Manikavachagar, praising Shiva.
Besides the Vaishnava and Shaivite schools, many others coexisted, including pantheism, atheism, the Agama traditions, tribal faiths, and others. There was also a strong Jain presence, which is evident even today.
The ecology of Tamil Nadu played a pivotal role in the way people here thought, acted, and lived out their beliefs and lives. Kurinji, the mountain region; Mullai, the pastoral region; Marutham, riverine valleys; Neydhal, coastal areas; and Palai, degraded land, all had their part to play in the way literature was created, culture evolved, and faiths played out.
Religion formed just one set of beliefs. People lived their daily lives intuitively through another set of beliefs, or rather, a fundamental orientation to the world around them. This included a way of relating to their environment and people, a respect for ancestors, a view of the inseparability of humankind from all living beings, and a sense of the impact of the cosmos on their lives, says Deborah Thiagarajan, writing on the Tamil cultural and spiritual landscape. What we have now come to call sustainable living. This is a valuable contribution to world culture, spirituality, and civilization.
Narayani Ganesh was editor of The Speaking Tree and Sacred Space, two popular columns in The Times of India, as well as The Speaking Tree Sunday section.
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- Saket Bhatia
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Indians excel globally due to their strong emphasis on education, family values, and adaptability. Strong family support provides stability and encourages individuals to take risks and innovate. India's multicultural society promotes adaptability, allowing Indians to thrive in different environments and contribute positively.
Indians are making landmark contributions in the tech sector through innovation and development. Corporate leaders such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella continue to transform the technology industry with their visionary leadership and capability. Hundreds of thousands of other Indian technologists and entrepreneurs are pioneering trends in artificial intelligence, IT, education, and healthcare. Indians have made significant contributions globally in medicine, academia, the arts, and the humanities.
In sports, India dominates cricket and competes in the top echelons of badminton, field hockey, wrestling, and chess. In the arts, Indians, at home or abroad, have made a major contribution to movies, music, and literature. Bollywood, with its vibrant movies, has captivated audiences worldwide, promoting Indian culture and entertainment.
The Indian lifestyle continues to positively impact through its emphasis on wellness and spirituality. Yoga and meditation have received worldwide recognition, and their benefits in promoting mental and physical well-being are well-documented. Indian festivals such as Diwali and Holi have become calendar events in many countries, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.
Saket Bhatia has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and founded two companies. Based in the Bay Area, he also has a PhD in Astrology and Numerology.
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(All photos courtesy: ALotusInTheMud.com)
Parveen Chopra is the Founding Editor of The South Asian Times and founder of ALotusInTheMud.com, where you can find more comments in this series.
