Being a collection of speeches and write-ups, the book seems lacking in detail. The truth is one but spoken by wise men in different forms, an exhortation in the Rig Veda holds true even in the present context. Contextual understanding and interpretation have been the original hallmark of Indian thought process. It, therefore, is necessary to develop points of view that suit contemporary times. Presently, there is a prepondering sense of inclination towards justifying our existence in alignment with the Western template of what constitutes a civilised life.
Author’s obsession with the term liberalism betrays his inadvertent quest for approval of Indic values in light of what forms the classical form of Western liberalism. It is the foundation stone of most democracies today. In fact, it is the benchmark that decides whether a democracy is functioning properly or not. In other words, it is a sort of pandering the ego of the elite for the approval of our ancient ethos so that we do not end up as the Other. A greater argument can be developed using the factual nuggets served in the book that suits our socio-legal psyche.
However, one cannot take away the credit from the author for providing a completely fresh view regarding many complex and paradoxical problems faced by our society. His interesting comparison of the deaths caused by communal violence and female foeticide citing government data is commendable. The way secularism has been interpreted by our modern day polity in complete ignorance of our ethos of sarva dharma sambhaav has also been brought up in a lucid manner. Especially, the effect of such skewed interpretation on the society in form of Hindu schools being shut up because of failing to cope with RTE requirements has been dealt with dexterity.
An appraisal of the concept of justice as restorative in nature in ancient times compared to the present adversarial system is also praiseworthy. The example of lack of incentive for a witness to speak the truth in isolated courtrooms unlike that in front of whole social gathering in panchayat is a unique observation. The appeal for revisiting s.377 of IPC pertaining LGBT issue is also in sync with the quintessential harmonious way of existence in Indic civilisation.
Moreover, attributing the Constitution of India the character of contemporaneous Smriti is also a unique effort. However, lack of details leaves the reader with many doubts regarding the source of assertions.
The author also brings out the tyranny of Britishers which might disturb some Anglophiles. Similarly, he debunks the Aryan Invasion Theory using the science of genetics. It has been time and again proved that all those residing in Indian subcontinent possess a similar gene-pool.
In short, it is a nice breezy read which prods you to think and search for new answers to the old questions using Indic (I prefer bharatiya) point of view. The book must be read without preconceived notions in order to prepare the mind to reassess our identities in our own bharatiya way and not as a colonial relic.
After all, the author is the devotee of Shiva. Pralaya(cataclysm) is necessary for the growth of new. It’s time that we must allow light to discard the ignorance of centuries. Only then will we be able to live up to the tag of “Young Country, Timeless Civilisation.”
Immortal India deserves one read by all especially children and youngsters. Nataraja resides in CERN, we must ask why?
Maybe Allahabad, endowed with the magnificence of Ganges by the Shiva himself manifest the mystery of cosmic dance in easily understandable form. Har Har Mahadev! What else would be the biggest tribute to Shiva whom one of the readers termed as Dude of the Gods.
– Prashant
Small City Thinker 