Lokmanthan: An important part of Indian civilization

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Bharat has a heritage of knowledge sharing, public discourse, and intellectual brainstorming. For the last few centuries, India was in a state of insularity facing political and social precariousness which not only had an impact on its social and religious values but also knowledge and economic prosperity. However, the essence of our Rashtriyata lays not in religious, political or administrative apparatus but on an immutable culture binding masses across the country. In the present time, Indian thinkers and leaders have invested to ready ourselves as a great nation exuding with confidence. Lokmanthan, a Colloquium of 'Nation First' Thinkers and Practitioners created a significant impact in public discourse in 2016 and 2018. India is a complex mix of feelings and emotions. No one thing can describe this beautiful nation. It is quite as diverse, multi-lingual and multi-cultural, yet bound together by the ancient bounds of shared traditions, culture and values. Such bonds need to be strengthened through enhanced and continuous mutual interaction between people of varied regions and ways of life so that it encourages reciprocity and secures an enriched value system of unity amongst people of different states in a culturally special country like Bharat. It is a land of many languages and festivals. India as a feeling lives in its people who are all different, yet the same. This is not a religious identity - this is a geographical and cultural identity.

It is high time we redefined these adages because of the current Indian context and to rebuild paths that will lead us back to our time-tested values and traditions. Indian languages, specifically Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit, are the base of Indian history. We all know how Indian history has been destroyed from 1780 to 1947 during the British rule and post-independent period by pseudo-secular liberals. The East India Company is considered by some to be the most powerful corporation the world has ever known. Professor Huw Bowen, an expert on British colonial history, calls it a "money-making empire" that "stole $45 trillion from India". Anirban Mitra, a lecturer of economics at the University of Kent in the UK, wrote that "historians agree that racist supremacy was, at least since the beginning of the 19th century, a defining feature of the angrez (English) mindset." In every institution across South Asian society, structural racism not only exists but continues to thrive, affirming a colonial attitude. However, the essence of our nationality lay not in religious, political or administrative apparatus but on an immutable culture binding masses across the country. In the present time, Indian thinkers and leaders have invested to ready ourselves as a great nation exuding with confidence and that is "Lokmanthan". It became one of the largest platforms to share, brainstorm and perorate on contemporary issues of the country that not only influences home but also the world. 'Confluence of evolving nationalism, aspirations, social justice and harmony through empathy and sensitization culminating into social mobility using development as an instrument' is the moving Mantra of the national convention.

Art, Literature, Media and Films have led in shaping society opinion about a country. Academic and economic prosperity and global footprint reflect credentials in the opinion. The new and young thinkers' and practitioners' generation has built present Bharat with deep philosophy and national context. Lokmanthan 2022 will unite the common wisdom of these national ambassadors and present the national character of its very own, with its very own heritage of past and confidence of present for Future of Bharat.

The first edition of the Lokmanthan which focused on Desh-Kal-Sthithi was held in 2016. It reoriented the discourse of Nation under the rubrics of 'Decolonising Indian Mind', 'Identity, Aspirations and National Integration', 'Role of Art, Culture, History and Media in Nation Building'. In a short span of two months, five publications took place. There was astounding participation in the colloquium. Lokmanthan 2018, (Bharat Bodh: Jan Gan Man) was mainly intended to provide an ideological platform for multi-layered discussions on topics from arts to environment. The four days colloquium observed representatives from all strata of the society. Hon. Vice President of India, Sh. M. Venkaiah Naidu and the then Hon. Speaker of Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan graced the event. With multiple publications and the involvement of grassroots change-makers, the message of Lokmanthan was disseminated not only amongst intellectuals but also to common masses of India as along with discussions the manifestation of ideas were presented by various practitioners.

The third Lokmanthan to be held on Guwahati, Assam would be on the theme of the indigenous culture of India' and the event would be conducted over 3 days. Looking towards the north-eastern part of India, it is a region of varied languages and tribes, with each having its tradition and culture. And with these cultural values, our society has been established and moving forward. Even with the developments in technology and science, in our villages and mostly among our indigenous people, cultural values still holds great importance and these values shape our lives. When we say of cultural values, it means the belief system that we've been following traditionally.

Our civilization has been here for 5-6k years and it is here because some of our great ancestors have left enough precedents of these cultural values for us, which we still follow. Cultural beliefs play an important role in developing the environment and with these cultural values of India, the country is being developed. And our only aim should be to follow the Indian culture and values, that is, most importantly to gain knowledge, so we shall follow our Sanatana Dharma and keep gaining knowledge to move forward and our culture shows us the right direction. Whether one might call it science, spiritual process, inquiry, or quest, essentially, human intelligence wants to transcend its present limitations, wants to liberate itself from the fetters in which we exist right now. We built our nation on this longing, this seeking. Our nationhood cannot be destroyed as long as we keep this seeking alive. If we do not try to transform ourselves towards sameness, we will always be one.

Speaking on occasion, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The Sanatani civilisation and culture inspire us to move forward in life in the quest of knowledge and wisdom." "The ideology of Indian civilisation and culture is an exploration of knowledge. The Sanatani civilisation and culture inspire us to move forward in life in the quest for knowledge and wisdom. Our folk culture has shown us the path of living a powerful life with strong determination. The scientific folk culture of India has always influenced the mankind of the world. We need to protect and enhance our civilisation and culture," Chief Minister of Assam Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said in Guwahati on Tuesday (October 19). He spoke at the preparation meeting of "Lokmanthan," to be held in Guwahati in February 2022. Lokmanthan, the churn of the nation, is a journey embarked upon by Pranjan Pravah to seek the cultural and traditional treasures hidden in the nook and corner of our country. The journey evoked in 2016 has generated a very good public response in the country.

He said, "The pursuit of knowledge is the mainstay of Indian civilization and culture. Sanatan civilization and culture has been inspiring to move forward through the practice of knowledge and wisdom. Our folk culture has been inspiring us to lead a strong life by leading the way. This science-based series of folk culture is still influencing the world of human beings."

The next Lokmanthan colloquium has been planned from 18th to 20th February in Guwahati in Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra organised by Pranjana Pavah in collaboration with the Intellectual Forum of North East and other stakeholders. The theme for this edition of Lokmanthan is "Lok Parampara". Speaking at the preparation meeting of the Lokmanthan, Dr Sarma said that it would enrich our diverse folk culture, which is the inspiration for our strong lifestyle. North East is the hub of diverse cultures and ethnic civilizations. The Lokmanthan will further enrich our traditional faith and culture and will unite us with a strong bond, he added.

Sarma said, "Indian civilization and culture is a flowing tributary. India is the base of many folk cultures. Through this flow of folk culture, the mighty direction of united India has been being manifested. Cultural India, more than political India, is balancing us mentally to move forward unitedly. This is why our cultural lifestyle can show the direction to global human beings."

Describing India as a secular country for Sanatan philosophy, the Chief Minister said that the entity of Sanatan philosophy and folk culture has been gleaming us. He also said that in the fifteenth century itself, the great man Srimanta Sankardev had established the Sanatan philosophy and one Indian entity among us.

Explaining our traditional beliefs and folk culture as science-based, the Chief Minister said that despite many attacks on our folk culture, five thousand years old Indian civilization and culture is still shining on the global stage. He said that the live stream of Indian folk culture has been teaching generosity and tolerance.

The website lokmanthan.org was also launched on occasion. Speaking at the meeting, the National Convenor of Pranjan Pravah Sri Nand Kumar said that number of cultural and intellectual scholars would join the Lok Parampara edition of Lokmanthan to be held in Guwahati in February. An organising committee headed by the Cultural Minister of Assam Bimal Bora has been constituted for the smooth functioning of the programme. (Source: Internet)