Those Who Delete History Are Doomed To Repeat It

Everyone feels that their country is the best. Perhaps it’s the patriotism drilled into the psyche that compels them to keep aside the negative features and only focus on the positive aspects. My daddy was one such ‘patriot’ and like him, all his children grew up feeling the same. In fact, I never wanted to step out of India. EVER!

When Shanker, my husband, was offered a project in Botswana, he had to refuse because of me. Since he had travelled a lot when his father was a diplomat in Moscow, he always wanted me to step out and see the world for myself. Maybe to make me realise that my homeland wasn’t perfect and it would be colossally arrogant to say so.

Anyway, when daddy passed away and Shanker was offered a posting in Malaysia, I finally relented. Just like my husband had predicted, within a few months I started to have mixed feelings.

India wasn’t so unique after all. Its people weren’t so exceptional after all. There was beauty all around. And within a few years my diet included eating humble pie. During our five year stint in Kuala Lumpur, we made it a point to travel extensively.

Even after returning to our homeland we travelled at least once a year because both the children were settled abroad. Gradually, over the years, with every trip overseas, where I got to meet a variety of people; where I was subjected to a variety of traditions and cultures; where I was exposed to a variety of architectures and landscapes, I finally realized that travelling does give you a different perspective.

And when I viewed and reviewed life from every angle possible, I felt my first assumption wasn’t wrong. At all. My country was, is and will always be THE most beautiful place in the whole wide world. And even though I was charmed by all global cultures, I can easily present some of THE best reasons why mine stands out like a secure thumb!

Daddy always said that after we got our freedom, no one believed in us; because Independence and Democracy came as a package, as opposed to other developed countries. Everyone said that ours was a nation-in-making and we would never be able to sustain the chronic poverty, the multi-diversity, the multi-religions, the multi cultures and multi everything.

It was predicted that because most valid voters were illiterate, we would never understand its democratic principles. But as the years progressed, even if everything wasn’t hunky dory; even if there were Emergency hiccups now and then; we did witness successful and peaceful elections and soon became a role model for other autocratic countries.

With our inherent capability to deal with all odds, and our respect for the sovereignty of others, soon Nepal and Bhutan began considering us as their Big Brother. We never tried to annex them, but instead always provided unconditional support. Even as a soft power and despite the large military strength, we always tried to solve our problems democratically.

We were also leaders of the Third World and our strength lay in not bowing down to the superpowers. Our foreign policies were also very much in sync with our democratic values. From Buddha to the Mahatma, to Kailash Satyarthi, we always followed the path of Non-violence and Non-alignment.

In more ways than one we were looked upon as an ambassador of peace and were assigned the status of a JagatGuru. Even the Nobel Peace Prize laureates Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr and Aung San Suu Kyi considered themselves as children to the Father of Our Nation!

We had strategists like Chanakya, top class Scientists, Writers, Actors and Leaders that brought us worldwide fame. We had a range of historical culture, stretching from ancient civilisation, to the medieval influence of different dynasties, to our modern struggle for freedom. We had a rich heritage.

We also manufactured generic drugs to provide help to African nations who couldn’t afford costly patented drugs by western companies. We elected Presidents, Vice Presidents and Prime Ministers, regardless of their religion, caste or gender. Where hospitality is concerned, we always believed in ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’, and considered our guests as divine.

And because of the significant cultural fusion over centuries between Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Sikhs and its various tribal populations, ‘Unity in Diversity’ became our mantra. Even where flora and fauna is concerned, we can boast of nearly 90,000 types of animals, 1,200 bird species and 50,000 plants. As one of the oldest civilisations, we have given to the world some important inventions and discoveries. Like the Zero, Chess, Yoga, Ayurveda. And Spirituality.

We always knew the importance of a community and valued the merits of a family. We believed that friends are family. Neighbours are family. Even our colleagues are family. I’m not saying that elders don’t stay alone but mostly they live with their kids. We were hardly brought up by ‘Nannies’ because there was always a ‘Naani’ or a ‘Daadi’ to look after us. And this ‘duty’ was done not out of compulsion but because of a responsibility. In short, we never needed a rendezvous to meet our own family.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to proudly claim that ‘Mera Bharat Mahaan Hai’. With more than a billion inhabitants, two million temples, three hundred thousand mosques, hundreds of palaces, four hundred languages and dialects, countless Goddesses and Gods, and a myriad of spices, we belong to a country that offers a whirlwind of sensations to all its visitors.

Over the years, this significant fusion of freedom and EVERY element under the sun has made us THE largest democracy in the world. In short India is an unparalleled nation that the entire world proudly looks up to.

So my question is simple. Why would ANYONE in their right minds want to lose all this? Why would anyone even attempt on an intellectual suicide? Why would anyone ever want to embark on a cultural ethnocide? Or an architectural, literary and artistic genocide? Why? It just doesn’t make any sense!

Now for some facts that everybody knows:

Everybody knows that the Mahatma was killed in cold blood by Nathuram Godse, who was an extremist.

Everybody knows that the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, that projects itself as a stunning symbol of love and architectural brilliance was built by Shah Jehan, a Mughal Emperor.

Everybody knows that the communal riots that broke out across Gujarat following the Sabarmati Express train burning at Godhra took place in 2002.

Everybody knows that the largest Democracy in the world has always believed in its Unity in Diversity.

Everybody knows that the world is Round, not Flat.

These are facts the entire world knows. And no amount of ‘expunction’ from History, Geography or Social Sciences can make them disappear. You can hide the memories but you cannot erase the history that produced them.

Therefore it is essential our future generations know about it. Because, those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.