Speakers underline need to unearth suppressed historical facts

 

 

Hyderabad, Mar 22: Samachara Bharati organized the 4th edition of Social Media conclave with the theme of ‘Freedom struggle and current narratives’ on 20th March 2022 at Keshav Memorial College in Hyderabad.

 

Gopal Reddy, President Samachara Bharati introduced the various socio-cultural activities being conducted by the organization, including news portals and film festivals. He said this conclave is being conducted with the theme of 75 years of independence, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. He reminded the power of social media in spreading the right message with a correct perspective. He welcomed the panelists and participants and hoped for fruitful sessions during the day.

 

Prashant Pole, the keynote speaker said many facts from the freedom struggle were hidden from Indian people. Europeans starting from Portuguese Vasco de Gama and later other colonial powers like England came to India to conquer, control and loot. The unique feature of the Indian struggle is it was the longest and people, kings, and queens from all regions, nooks, and corners of the country were part of the freedom struggle and waged a multitude of battles for the longest period.

 

He described the valor of Queens like Rani Abbakka, Velu Nachiyar, Raja Martanda Verma, and many others. He mentioned that Prof Angus Madison, renowned economist revealed that India’s share in the world economy was 23% in 1750, despite many Islamic invasions; it, was looted and reduced to 2.8% by 1947, and Britain’s rose from 2% in 1750 to nearly 18%.

 

India’s prosperous, elaborate decentralized village education system was advanced and effective, as recorded by the British. The false narrative of Brahmins controlling the entire system was proved wrong, yet the myths continue. Similarly, the highly decentralized health system was also destroyed.

 

The British initiated the evangelization and conversions process and utilized administration for that purpose. He also explained the contributions of Indian arts and cinema, scientists, and others who participated in the comprehensive freedom struggle, and revival of India’s own thinking. He hoped that this occasion of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav will be the right moment to research and unveil forgotten or suppressed histories.

 

Giridhar Mamidi, another speaker continued on the theme of suppression of historical facts and running false narratives in the erstwhile Hyderabad region. While people in the Hyderabad Nizam state struggled to attain Swarajya, Swabhiman, and Swadharma during the liberation of Hyderabad and were completely victimized, the narratives include false claims like about 2 lakh Muslims were killed despite the then Home Minister Sardar Patel refuting it.

 

KM Munshi wrote that communists infiltrated Razakar Militia and controlled Nizam state, yet another false narrative was created that communists led an armed uprising against landlords, etc. And the fact that communists continued the ‘uprising’ even after Hyderabad state was liberated was also suppressed, they only subsided after Stalin instructed them not to trouble Nehru Govt.

 

Giridhar said it’s time that all the false narratives are buried, social media is playing a key role in researching and putting out the correct narratives in the public domain.

 

Mayank Singhania, co-producer of ‘The Kashmir Files’ movie, which depicts the real history of Kashmir Hindu genocide, was the next speaker, and he detailed their purpose and experience of producing an honest realistic iconic movie. The young co-producer was given long applause by the audience.

 

Dr. Santosh Kumar Kraleti, a Public Health specialist from the organization ‘Saksham’ spoke about the psychological stress and post-traumatic depression during and after Covid-19. He also mentioned the depression and trauma that Kashmiri Hindus went through after the pogrom and were displaced from their homeland. He said the Modi Government included several mental debilities and ailments in the Disabilities Act which would give relief to people who suffer from these disabilities.

 

He presented a few slides on the activities of the organization, Saksham, and announced that they would start work in the Kashmir Valley.

 

Nandakumar Pudhari, earlier in media, entrepreneur, and farmer, speaking on the theme of Food security, said a generation have become affected with food consumption, infested with chemicals and pesticides and the population has developed several health ailments. Food, farmers, and the environment lost out in the process, and today we are going back to natural farming. The government has started several initiatives on natural farming. He said once we have healthy food easily available, we develop a healthy society and nation.

 

In the next session, several independent social media activists, news portals, and you tubers have introduced them and briefly explained their work. Moha Gandhi detailed her digital media work, Breathing History. Viswanathan from ‘Nijam Today’ introduced the social media channel and explained the objectives. Satish Inani spoke about ‘Hindu eShop’ & its effort to spread good books related to Rashtra & Dharma.

 

Digital activist Mounika Sunkara introduced her channel and her various activities through the organization ‘ShaktiVahini’. Anil Bhagat from ‘Datrutva Foundation’ spoke about their work on developing groups of blood donors. Devika Reddy, a senior journalist from ‘MyInd makers’ advised social media activists to maintain genuineness and credibility. Sravanthi from Rashtra Sevika Samiti spoke about ‘Samithi Samvad Telangana’ introduced their activity on social media.

 

In the concluding session, Ayush Nadimpalli, Kshetra Prachar Pramukh, Amarnath Reddy, Prant Prachar Pramukh, and Prashant Pole, spoke about the multifaceted and voluntary efforts in rejuvenating and securing the Nation’s Future. Amarnatha Reddy explained the Samachara Bharati activity, which is established to research and develop content through various Samachara Bharati portals including VSKtelangana/ vishwasamvad kendra, samachara bharati web portals, lokahitham and chitrabharati etc.

 

Ayush Nadimpalli speaking on the theme ‘Securing the nation’s future- the RSS way’ detailed the efforts of RSS. He explained about the establishment of RSS by Dr. Hedgewar, the vision of RSS in achieving the parama vaibhav of the nation. He said one of the main flaws in social media is people wanting to flaunt themselves due to ego.

The aim is to restore Hindu glory and memory and work towards the rebuilding of the nation. He said despite hostile polity, RSS strived and worked in the society. We are not just a union of states; we are a vibrant nation with the spirit of ‘vayam hindu rashtranga bhutha’. The aim was to realize the ideal of a society, where RSS would not be required at all.

 

Ayush further said that there are many unknown facets in the collectivization process. A 60- day struggle ensued to retrieve Amarnath-Yatra lands. Once, 35 swayamsevaks were killed at one go in Punjab, the next day without fear 100 persons gathered there. Irrespective of mainstream politics, the motto is for societal consolidation. Coming out of mental pigeon-holing, we need to see the hundreds of issues happening in the nation including agriculture, environment, food security, labor, education etc. In spite of government opposition, several activities became huge in their respective sectors, whether ABVP or BMS, due to people’s efforts. Education, economics, security, service, intellectual work, social issues of change are some of the multi-pronged aspects of work that can be focused on and increase the ‘we’ factor rather than ‘I’.

 

The sessions were followed by a lively Q&A session. Surendra from Samachara Bharati proposed a vote of thanks. A large number of social media enthusiasts, especially youth, participated in the conclave.