Author: Parveen Chopra

Comments from some eminent people in the US and India assessing India’s contribution to the world and its emerging role.

Soaring in the opinion polls, Vice President Kamala Harris may get elected as the first South Asian President of America. And if the Trump-Vance ticket triumphs, Usha Vance will become the first Hindu Second Lady.

Indian diaspora has dazzled the world by reaching the top echelons, not just in politics. India has become a global power player, earning the sobriquet,  ‘Vishwabandhu’ (friend of the world), particularly after supplying vaccines during the Covid pandemic to many nations.

Indians themselves would not be surprised by this welcome shift, however. Independent India may be only 77 years old, but it has at its back many millennia of civilizational wisdom rooted in the ancient texts of the Vedas and Upanishads, and the philosophical traditions of Buddhism and Jainism. This was elaborated by several eminent people in India and America invited to comment by New York-based ALotusInTheMud.com for a feature published to mark India’s 78^th Independence Day.

Another running strain in their comments is that India has antidotes to many of the world’s ills. Its perennial principles of ahimsa and vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family), underscoring the importance of compassion, tolerance, and unity in diversity, are a beacon for addressing global challenges, promoting interfaith harmony and world peace, and fostering a sustainable and inclusive future. Read on for some comments excerpted from ALotusInTheMud.com:

Insight into the true nature of reality

~ 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

 A perfect prescription for a perfect world

~ Suma Varughese

I hesitate to make sweeping assertions about the glory of Indian civilization because I know very little about other civilizations, particularly the indigenous wisdom of Africa, Native America, or South America.

But I can safely say that no matter how lofty their wisdom, others may equal but never exceed the breadth and depth of Indian thought. It was this country that audaciously proclaimed that Oneness was the truth of existence. That the Creator and creation were one. Is there anything more inclusive than this? Oneness embraces everything and everyone. Nothing, and nobody, is left out. And what’s more, not only are we One, but all of creation, from the human to the amoeba, is holy.

The implications of a world that is both interconnected and divine are dazzling. If all of us internalized this understanding and lived by it, it would mean an end to all selfishness, conflict, and exploitation. Because in a world of Oneness, any wrong we do to the other is eventually visited upon ourselves. We are seeing this truth vividly unfold in the environmental crisis that grips us. The centuries of exploitation of our natural resources have today resulted in such extreme weather conditions that we still don’t know if we will survive it even if the planet does.

In a world that is breaking apart and looking blindly for answers, the Indian civilization can show the way out. From our systems like Ayurveda and Siddhi, architectural models like Vaastu Shastra, the gurukul education model, our art and dance traditions, our approach to astrology, our four-fold goals of human life – dharma (ethical conduct), artha (wealth), kama (fulfillment of desires) and moksha (liberation), and the four stages of human life from bachelorhood to renunciate, the world will learn how to live, heal, relate, eat, create, love and look after others.

Best of all, these systems are also designed to lead us to enlightenment, so not only will we lead lives of happiness, health, and harmony, but eventually and organically we will also evolve!

A perfect prescription for a perfect world.

Suma Varughese is a writing and spirituality mentor based in Mumbai. Former editor of Life Positive and Society magazines, she is the author of three books – Travelling Light, Travelling Lighter, and 50 Life Lessons.

Enhancing global advancement and cultural enrichment

~ Saket Bhatia

Indians excel globally due to their strong emphasis on education, family values, and adaptability. Education is paramount, and it drives them to pursue and excel in advanced studies. 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 like Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, CEOs of Google and Microsoft, respectively, have scaled their organizations to new heights and continue transforming the technology industry with their visionary leadership and capability. Other esteemed CEOs such as Arvind Krishna of IBM and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe are pivotal in advancing technologies that touch and interact with daily life. Hundreds of thousands of other Indian technologists and entrepreneurs are pioneering trends in artificial intelligence, IT, education and healthcare by driving startups and innovating.

Indians have also made significant contributions globally in medicine, academia, arts, and humanities. At Novartis, CEO Vasant Narasimhan aims to discover new ways to improve and extend people’s lives. Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has influenced economics and social sciences.

In sports, India dominates in cricket and competes in the top echelons of badminton, field hockey, wrestling, and chess. In arts, Indians, at home or abroad,  have made a major contribution in movies, music and literature. Ravi Shankar and A.R. Rahman have introduced Indian music to the global audience. 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. India’s rich culinary history, acknowledged for its flavors and spices, is reshaping global cuisine. Indian festivals such as Diwali and Holi have become calendar events in many countries, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.

Indians’ contributions in almost all spheres of modern life highlight their diversity and impact in shaping global advancement and fostering cultural enrichment.

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 and sits on the Board of the International Association of Vedic Astrology and Numerology.

 Balanced approach to solve humanity’s problems

~ Nidhi Bhasin

As I reflect on the current state of global affairs, I am reminded of Charles Dickens’ quote that “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”. We have entered an era of conflicts which has resulted in supply chain disruptions, forced displacement of population, etc. Global climate change has aggravated, leading to food security issues. Violence against underprivileged women and children has also increased.

We can take guidance and inspiration from ancient Indian scriptures and philosophy, which teaches balance between science (for advancement of human race), spirituality (for growth of the soul), good governance (for overall prosperity of nation and equality in justice) and might (for protecting citizens from external attacks by an ethical military).
While we should not dwell in the past, we must apply the lessons learnt from India’s ancient tradition and apply them in the present to avoid past pitfalls.
I firmly believe that humanity needs to, now more than ever, drop their conceptions of old wrongs done to them, make peace with their enemies and live in harmony. This planet is facing an external threat, which is bigger than wars going on now, and that is the climate change crisis. Humanity needs to unite to face this issue together, else this planet will soon run out of food and water and will see massive ecological disasters, which will then displace millions of people resulting in increased social evils. Technology needs to be used as an enabler to fight climate change, to improve regenerative farming and increase farm yields, to enable underprivileged to skill and create financially sustainable livelihoods, and to help all sections access equitable justice.
Creating a world through nonviolence would be India’s greatest export and contribution to saving humanity from wars and miseries.

CEO of the NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) Foundation, Nidhi Bhasin is a social development sector professional based in New Delhi.

India’s enduring legacy of peace, unity, and yoga

~ Rashmee Sharma

India’s civilizational contributions to the world are profound, particularly in the realms of non-violence, the concept of a unified humanity, and the spiritual discipline of yoga. These tenets form the bedrock of India’s long-standing ethos and offer invaluable insights into contemporary global challenges.
At the forefront of India’s philosophical heritage is the principle of non-violence, or ‘Ahimsa,’ eloquently championed by luminaries such as Mahatma Gandhi. This doctrine transcends mere abstention from physical aggression; it embodies a profound respect for all life forms and advocates for conflict resolution through dialogue and compassion.

Gandhi’s revolutionary application of non-violence catalyzed India’s struggle for independence and inspired global civil rights movements, showcasing the potency of peace in the pursuit of justice.
Inextricably linked to the pursuit of non-violence is the Indian vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or ‘the world is one family.’ This ethos promotes a holistic worldview transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, embodying an ideal where cooperation and mutual respect supplant divisive ideologies. This ancient wisdom resonates with urgency in a polarized world, urging humanity toward collective harmony and understanding.
Moreover, India’s gift of yoga – an intricate tapestry of physical practice, mental discipline, and spiritual endeavor – is a testament to its civilizational legacy. Yoga fosters physical well-being and cultivates a sense of interconnectedness, urging practitioners toward unity with the self and the cosmos. As it gains global traction, yoga is a vital conduit for promoting mindfulness and compassion in an age marked by rapid change and disconnection.
Thus, India’s contributions – rooted in non-violence, a unified worldview, and the practice of yoga – offer essential paradigms for a world yearning for peace, understanding, and holistic wellness.

Dr Rashmee Sharma, PhD, is the Co-Founder and co-CEO of Roshni Media Group, RAYWA, and FireTalk777, exploring life’s brilliance through media, spirituality, and conversations. She is based in Florida.

(Courtesy: www.ALotusInTheMud.com)