 |
India in the 21st Century - What do you think will be India's biggest contribution to the world in this century?
 |
 |
 |
|
Dr. Khilnani's Response:
To show that democracy is a feasible ambition even for cultures and
societies that are not familiar with it (thereby refuting arguments against
democracy in terms of "Asian" -- or any other cultural -- values), and
hopefully to show that a large, multi-religious, multicultural society
can live together as a single political unit.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kak's Response:
The greatest Indian contribution in the past century has been
Gandhi's demonstration that the method of non-violent engagement with
one's political adversary does work. That apart, Indic ideas of mind and
consciousness have permeated the rest of the world though yoga,
mind-body medicine, and spirituality. We should also not forget that
according to Erwin Schrodinger -- the creator of quantum theory which is
the basis of the scientific marvels of the 20th century -- he was led
to his discovery by Vedanta [philosophy that holds that all reality is one principle - ed.].
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kak's Rebuttal:
No comment.
|
|
|
|
Dr. Khilnani's Rebuttal:
I would agree that Gandhi's example of non-violence in the
pursuit of one's aims is a very major contribution. Sadly, Indians
themselves have today forgotten this message of Gandhi's -- nowhere more
so than in his home state of Gujarat. Amongst many Indians, particularly
those who subscribe to the Hindu religious right, Gandhi is a reviled
figure. I doubt that Indian culture or history has contributed much to
the definition of quantam theory in the 20th century.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|  |
|
Nation Divided Photo Essay - Trace India's post-Ayodhya religious strife.
India Timeline - Learn more about the history of relations between India's Hindus and Muslims.
Human Rights Atlas - Learn more about human rights in Mexico and its Central American neighbors.
Grozny Photo Essay - Take a walk through Chechnya's bombed-out capital, Grozny.
Kurdistan Map - See where Iraq's chemical attacks on Kurdistan took place, and why.
Chechnya Timeline - Discover the history that drives the Chechen separtist movement.
Mexico Photo Forum - Respond to photos that depict Mexico's struggle with human rights abuses and corruption.
|
|
|
|
|
|