Ripples Part 45 - Modernisation Without Westernisation
12 Jul 2022 11:00:29
I have been reflecting in my own way on Dattopant Thengadi Ji's Third Way. I present these small "ripples" that it has caused in my mind in a series. I am glad it has found its resonance in many thinking minds alike. I hope the readers have read the earlier article in the series before moving ahead.
Also Read: Ripples A Reflection On Dattopant Thengadi's Third Way - Part 44
Modernisation Without Westernisation (Address to Bharat Vikas Parishad)
We always believe that whatever cultural wealth we have is to be shared with the whole of humanity. Good or healthy trends of others are accommodated, and common points are identified. We by temperament do not contrast nationalism with Internationalism, rather we think at the universal level. People from different fields have always been sent to many countries even centuries ago. But it is not 'intellectual subservience to a foreign country' or culture. It is not mental slavery.
But our intellectuals treat everything that is Hindu as substandard. This is evident in every field, be it literature, philosophy, art, culture, science, or any other field. Even glorious period of our history has never been recognized. There is no mention of our scientific achievements. No countries, cultures, or societies survive without them. But it is simply not acceptable. Though their western contemporaries are acknowledged.
When it comes to seeking guidance or solution to some problems, western theories are referred to. Everything needs to be endorsed by the Western world. Our own treasure is never taken into account. Skeptical a moderate term, everything that is Hindu is totally condemned. No thinking independent of the western world gets space or considered. Modernization is equated with westernization. The validity of this presumption is to be tested.
It is essential to analyze any concept used. Meaningful dialogue is not possible without it. The terms should be used with definite implications. The connotation of the concept of Dharma is lost, if translated as religion if not analysed carefully. The concepts like 'Astik or Nastik' too are misinterpreted. They are in no way related to belief or nonbelief in God. The concepts like 'Maya or Mithya' too are not perceived correctly if translated as illusion. The term secular too is an example. There are many such examples given by Dattopant.
The concept of modern ought to be used in the proper perspective. It implies, 'of present and recent times' , 'tendency to adjust Christian dogma to the results of science and criticism. The term is used in the context of the historical background of Europe. There would not be similar challenges in other countries.
It would imply solving the problems and facing the challenges of the concerned nation considering the geographical and historical backgrounds. Westernization would imply adopting the systems, structures, standards and even the values of life of the West. Of course, identifying what is precisely western is not easy.
There are many theories that are stated to be known to Greek and Indian thinkers much earlier. The advancement of science and technology that started after the European renaissance was a period when we as a country were struggling on many fronts at the national level.
There was a period when Hindu science, and arts traveled to other parts of the world. It is unrealistic to label knowledge as eastern or western.
We always believe that whatever cultural wealth we have is to be shared with the whole of humanity. Good or healthy trends of others are accommodated, and common points are identified. We by temperament do not contrast nationalism with Internationalism, rather we think at the universal level. People from different fields have always been sent to many countries even centuries ago. But it is not 'intellectual subservience to a foreign country' or culture. It is not mental slavery.
But our intellectuals treat everything that is Hindu as substandard. This is evident in every field, be it literature, philosophy, art, culture, science, or any other field. Even glorious period of our history has never been recognized. There is no mention of our scientific achievements. No countries, cultures, or societies survive without them. But it is simply not acceptable. Though their western contemporaries are acknowledged.
When it comes to seeking guidance or solution to some problems, western theories are referred to. Everything needs to be endorsed by the Western world. Our own treasure is never taken into account. Skeptical a moderate term, everything that is Hindu is totally condemned. No thinking independent of the western world gets space or considered. Modernization is equated with westernization. The validity of this presumption is to be tested.
It is essential to analyze any concept used. Meaningful dialogue is not possible without it. The terms should be used with definite implications. The connotation of the concept of Dharma is lost, if translated as religion if not analysed carefully. The concepts like 'Astik or Nastik' too are misinterpreted. They are in no way related to belief or nonbelief in God. The concepts like 'Maya or Mithya' too are not perceived correctly if translated as illusion. The term secular too is an example. There are many such examples given by Dattopant.
The concept of modern ought to be used in the proper perspective. It implies, 'of present and recent times' , 'tendency to adjust Christian dogma to the results of science and criticism. The term is used in the context of the historical background of Europe. There would not be similar challenges in other countries.
It would imply solving the problems and facing the challenges of the concerned nation considering the geographical and historical backgrounds. Westernization would imply adopting the systems, structures, standards and even the values of life of the West. Of course, identifying what is precisely western is not easy.
There are many theories that are stated to be known to Greek and Indian thinkers much earlier. The advancement of science and technology that started after the European renaissance was a period when we as a country were struggling on many fronts at the national level.
There was a period when Hindu science, and arts traveled to other parts of the world. It is unrealistic to label knowledge as eastern or western.