STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that in the 'race for one-upmanship and under the constant glare of the public eye, debates – televised or on social media – are turning into cacophonous fighting arenas'. He called upon the media to take the initiative, introspect, "pass on the mike and let unique, original and marginalized voices come to the mainstream".
Calling for healthy, open-minded discussions, the Vice President said, "It is time to step out of our echo chambers – caused by both social structures and social media algorithms – and let our mind breathe. We must revive the art of listening; we must rediscover the art of dialogue."
The Vice President was inaugurating the third edition of a national colloquium 'Lokmanthan' organized by Prajna Pravah in Guwahati today. Appreciating the organizers for highlighting the rich cultural ethos of North Eastern India, Dhankhar observed that in their diversity, "the cultural practices of the region resonate with the quintessential Indian values of peace, harmony and universal brotherhood".
Addressing the gathering, the Vice President underlined the role of the intelligentsia in Indian society, referring to how sages advised kings historically on issues of policy and ensured harmony and stability in society. Calling upon intellectuals to speak on prevailing issues, he said, "If our intelligentsia decides to opt for silence in the current times, then this very important section of society is bound to be silenced forever. They must freely practice dialogue and deliberation so that societal morality and propriety are preserved".
Underscoring the primacy attached to Freedom of Expression in the Constitution and the rich quality of Constituent Assembly debates, the Vice President said that they are a testimony to the importance of free-spirited and healthy discussion that India has long cherished. "Freedom of expression is the nectar of democracy," he said.
The Vice President called upon the intellectuals from the civic society to play a proactive role in ensuring the harmonious balance of the three branches of the state – Legislature, Executive and Judiciary – through deliberative mechanisms. "Democratic values and human rights will certainly blossom with intelligentsia adopting a proactive stance of dialogue and discussion", he added.
Reflecting on the "common cultural thread" among all Indians, Dhankhar observed that the beauty and strength of 'our indubitable cultural unity' reflects in every facet of our national life. Right from the mundane, secular matters to the lofty spiritual aspects – from the songs sung by farmers during the sowing season to our holistic approach towards the environment – the underlying oneness of Bharatiyata can be felt.
In this regard, the Vice President called for developing "a sense of our history, which includes folk traditions, local art forms and numerous dialects. Only then can we be truly independent in mind and spirit". He also called for empowering the youth to think for themselves and be equipped "not only with the right skill set but also with the right mindset".
He released two books – a souvenir for Lokmanthan and a collection of speeches of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma titled 'In Pursuit of a Dream'.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The nation is our mother to be worshipped, not only the Union of States. Bharatvarsh is not just a nation state that came into being in the 19th century, but a living entity. India nurtures one of the oldest civilizations of the world. Though the colonial forces did rule India, they failed to erase the Indian culture and civilization that continues to percolate from time immemorial. It was because of the inherent power of sanatan civilizations that remain unbeatable in the face of colonial powers. A section of the Left and so-called secular forces continue to attack our culture. However, we are here to keep our age-old culture intact. We need to keep in mind that the land tract called 'Bharat' was not created in 1947. It was here from time immemorial with its own culture, civilization and heritage."
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