Binder1

The Idea of India: A Journey through History, Society and Culture

By Mihir Bholey, PhD

Mihir Bholey, PhDAssoc. Senior Faculty

Interdisciplinary Design StudiesNational Institute of DesignNational Institute of Design

Paldi, Ahmedabad 380 007 INDIA

email: [email protected]

India: What is it About?

• An ancient civilization: as old as 3300 BC – 1300 BC

• An ancient cultural melting pot having diverse composite culture

• A multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious society

• Contributor to the world civilization: mathematics, medicine, Contributor to the world civilization: mathematics, medicine,

concept of democracy, university, philosophy, non-violence

• Rich tradition of aesthetics literature and art forms• Rich tradition of aesthetics, literature and art forms

India: The Shades of Perceptions

• A civilization a nation which has raised curiosity invited envy • A civilization, a nation which has raised curiosity, invited envy,

even contemptuous interpretations, but never ignored

• Notable views are Anglo-Saxon, Orientalist , Marxist and those who

challenged the imperialist school of history- Bhandarkar,

Raychaudhary, Majumdar et.al.

• The Greeks Herodutus Plutarch Ptolemy attempted the history • The Greeks –Herodutus, Plutarch, Ptolemy attempted the history

of India in their writings

• Megasthenese’s Indica gave more extensive account of India

Th t i t t h f I di hi t i g h b gi ith Al• The next important phase of Indian historiography begins with Al-

Beruni who accompanied Mahmud Ghazni

• Christian missionaries and scholars made in-depth study but their

history of India became victim of Europe’s Religio-Political

problems

• Thus to accept a existence of a civilization prior to the period of

genesis was a kind of sacrilegegenesis was a kind of sacrilege

• The Indian mythologies on the contrary referred to four Yugas

(Satyug, Dwapard, Treta and Kalyug) and several hundred million

years- shook the foundation of Christian faith

• However, what is important is to understand the evolution of

Indian Civilization through the phrases of History than the period Indian Civilization through the phrases of History than the period

of History

India as Seen by Some European Scholars and Philosophers

• French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) viewed India as homeland of religion in its oldest and purest form, also the cradle of world civilizations. Believed Astronomy, Astrology, Metaphysics came to the western world from the bank of Ganges

• Great German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) wrote – their religion has a purity…. (and) one can find traces of pure concepts of divinity which cannot be found elsewhere

• British scholar John Holwell wrote mythology of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans were borrowed from the doctrines of the Brahmins’

• Swiss philosopher Henri Frédéric Amiel (1821-1881) wrote : there is a great affinity in me with the Hindu genius – that mind, vast, imaginative, loving, dreamy and speculative, but destitute of ambition, personality and will

• British historian Basham writes: the most striking feature of ancient Indian civilization is its humanity. In no other early civilization were slaves so few in number, no ancient lawgiver advised fair play in battle as Manu did and there’re few tales of massacre of non-combatant in ancient Indian history

Marx’s View of Indian Society

• Marx’s views of Indian history, culture and civilization was rather superficial

and contemptuous. Was also influenced by the Hegelian views of India

• Marx was a great votary of India being enslaved by the British, dismissed India Marx was a great votary of India being enslaved by the British, dismissed India

as a backward uncivilized nation with no history

M t “J t It l h f ti t ti b d b th ’ • Marx wrote: “Just as Italy has, from time to time, been compressed by the conqueror’s

sword into different national masses, so do we find Hindostan, when not under the

pressure of the Mohammedan, or the Mogul or the Briton, dissolved into as many

independent and conflicting States as it numbered towns, or even villages. That religion

is at once a religion of sensualist exuberance, and a religion of self-torturing

asceticism; a religion of the Lingam and of the juggernaut; the religion of the Monk, ; g f g f j gg ; g f ,

and of the Bayader“

(Marx, Karl. 'The British Rule in India' New York Daily Tribune, 25 June, 1853)

• In the contemporary India Marx influenced a number of historians

(K bi R il Th Bi Ch d I f H bib l) h (Kosambi, Romila Thapar, Bipan Chandra, Irfan Habib et al) who

analyzed Indian history in the constricted Marxist perspective

• Believed everything good in Indian civilization is the contribution

of conquerors. Hence, consider the Kushana period as the golden

age of Indian history rather than the Satvahana or Gupta period

• Indian Marxist historians even look at the period spanning Gupta

period until the Muslim conquest in the 12th century as the period

of feudalism or ‘dark age’

• The educated Indian intelligentsia of 19th century felt horrified at

the distortion of the ancient Indian history – challenged the

India: As Nehru Saw it

Did I know India? I who presumed to scrap much of her

past heritage? There was a great deal that had to be

scrapped, that must be scrapped; but surely India could not

have been what she undoubtedly was, and could not have

continued a cultured existence for thousands of years, if she

had not possessed something very vital and enduring,

something that was worthwhile. What was this something?

(Nehru in The Discovery of India)

Freedom at Midnight• Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time

comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in fullmeasure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour,when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. Amoment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we stepmoment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we stepout from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soulof a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance.

It is fitting that at this solemn moment we take the pledge ofdedication to the service of India and her people and to the stilllarger cause of humanity.

At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, andtrackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur ofher success and her failures Through good and ill fortune alike sheher success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike shehas never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gaveher strength. We end today a period of ill fortune and Indiadiscovers herself again.

(The historical speech delivered by Jawahar Lal Nehru on the eve of India’s independence at theConstituent Assembly of India in New Delhi on August 14 1947)

Naipaul’s Views on Indian Civilization

“What is happening in India is a new, historical awakening. It seems to me

that Indians are becoming alive to their history. Romila Thapar’s book on

Indian history is a Marxist attitude in substance says: there is a higher truth

behind the invasions, feudalism and all that. The correct view is the way the

invaders looked at their (own) actions. They were conquering, they were

subjugating. And they were in a country where people never understood this. subjugating. And they were in a country where people never understood this.

Only now are the people beginning to understand that there has been a great

vandalizing of India. Because of the nature of conquest and the nature of

Hindu society such understanding had eluded Indians before. …. But every

other Indian knows precisely what is happening: deep down he knows that a

larger response is emerging even if at times this response appears in his eyes larger response is emerging even if at times this response appears in his eyes

to be threatening.” (Naipaul in India a Wounded Civilization)

Some More Views About India

• We owe a lot to the Indians who taught us how to count without which no worthwhile scientific • We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific

discovery could have been made. (Albert Einstein)

• India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the , , p p , y,

grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most

instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only. (Mark Twain)

• My confidence in our shared future is grounded in my respect for India's treasured past - a

civilization that has been shaping the world for thousands of years. Indians unlocked the intricacies

of the human body and the vastness of our universe. And it is no exaggeration to say that our

information age is rooted in Indian innovations including the number zero India not only opened information age is rooted in Indian innovations - including the number zero. India not only opened

our minds, she expanded our moral imagination. With religious texts that still summon the faithful

to lives of dignity and discipline. With poets who imagined a future "where the mind is without fear

and the head is held high." And with a man whose message of love and justice endures - the Father and the head is held high. And with a man whose message of love and justice endures the Father

of your Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. (US President Barack Obama in his address to the joint session

of Indian Parliament on 8 Nov. 2010)

Revolutions Changing Contemporary India• Historian Ramchandra Guha talks of five simultaneous revolutions • Historian Ramchandra Guha talks of five simultaneous revolutions

going on in contemporary India which are reshaping the nation:

I. The Urban Revolution

II. The Industrial Revolution

III. The National Revolution

IV. The Democratic Revolution and

V. The social Revolution

• These revolutions were staggered in Europe and North America

while they happened simultaneously in India

• US became independent in 18th century, urbanized and hindustrialized in the next century and fully democratic in 20th

century

• World’s largest thriving democracy

• World’s second most populous country having 1, 210 billion people

• World's 2nd fastest growing economy (CII-KPMG Report 2010)World s 2 fastest growing economy (CII-KPMG Report 2010)

• World’s 4th largest economy by PPP and 11th largest by nominal GDP

• Ranks 49th out of 133 economies in terms of Global Competitiveness

Index, GCI (2009-2010) (World Economic Forum: The India Competitiveness

R i 2009)Review 2009)

Pictures Courtesy Google Images

• Abject poverty coexists with rising affluence – over 50 Indians figure in 2011 Forbes list but 1/3 or 33% of the world’s poor also reside in pIndia

Ranks pretty low on Human Development Index 119th out of 169 • Ranks pretty low on Human Development Index – 119th out of 169 countries, way behind China which ranks 89th (UNDP 2010 Report)

• 37.2% Indian population is BPL (Tendulkar Committee Report 2009) 41.6%

Indians earn below $1.25/day and 75.6% below $2/ day (World Bank PiIm

2008 Report based on 2005 data)

ictures Courtesym

agesy G

oogle

• A largely agrarian society getting urbanized at the rate of 29%

• 234.1 million people engaged in agriculture in 2001 (GOI, Ministry of Agriculture, 2010)

• Agriculture contribution to India’s GDP - Rs 6519 01/ billion in Agriculture contribution to India s GDP Rs. 6519.01/ billion in 2009-10 (GOI, Ministry of Agriculture, 2010)

• Industry contribution to India’s GDP Rs 12708 97/ billion in 2009• Industry contribution to India s GDP Rs. 12708.97/ billion in 2009-10 (GOI, Ministry of Agriculture, 2010)

B 2025 th t f b i ti ti t d t i t 38%• By 2025 the rate of urbanization estimated to increase to 38%

• Home to 3 megacities of the world out of 19

• 2/3 of India’s GDP and 90% of government revenue generated by

less than 1/3 of India’s urban population living in big and

megacities

India as per the Indian Constitution

India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States. (2) The States and the territories thereof shall be as specified in the First Schedule. (3) The territory of India shall comprise—(a) the territories of the States; (b) the Union territories specified in the First Schedule; and (c)such other territories as may be acquired. (Article 1 of the Indian Constitution)

India: Geography and Demography

L ti S th A i b d i th A bi S d • Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Myanmar (Burma) and Pakistan

• Geographic Coordinates: 20 00 North, 70 00 East

AreaL d 2 973 190 kLand: 2,973,190 sq kmWater: 314,400 sq kmTotal: 3 287 590 sq km (Slightly more than one-Total: 3,287,590 sq km (Slightly more than one-

third the size of the US)

Coastline: 7000 km

Demography of India

As Per Census 2011:As Per Census 2011:

• Total Population: 1, 210 billion• Male: 623 7 million• Male: 623.7 million• Female: 586.5 million• Density of Population: 325 persons/sq km• State with Highest Density

of Population: West Bengal–903 persons/sq km903 persons/sq km

• State with Lowest Density of Population: Arunachal Pradesh–p

13 persons/sq km• State with Highest Population: Uttar Pradesh-

166 197 921166,197,921• State with Lowest Population: Sikkim-

540,851

Ethnic Diversity in India• There are many diverse ethnic groups among the people of India.

The 6 main ethnic groups are as follows:

• Negrito, Proto - Australoids or Austrics, Mongoloids, Mediterranean or Dravidian Western Brachycephals Nordic Aryansor Dravidian, Western Brachycephals, Nordic Aryans

Pictures Courtesy Google Images

Linguistic Diversity in India

I di l b l t f l f ili I d• Indian languages belong to four language families - Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic (Austric) and Sino-Tibetan

• Austric languages are spoken by the tribal community in India. Some of the languages are: Santali, Mundari, Ho, Korku, Kharia, Savara, Bhumij, Nocobarese among othersKharia, Savara, Bhumij, Nocobarese among others

• Tribes of the NE - Naga, Mizo, Khasi and Lushai speak dialects l h Tib B Si Tib f ilclose to the Tibeto-Burman or Sino-Tibetan family

• The 8th schedule of Indian Constitution recognizes 22 The 8th schedule of Indian Constitution recognizes 22 languages. There’re eighteen official scripts and over hundred of regional languages. Most of the Indian scripts have originated from Brahmi and Kharoshti script originated from Brahmi and Kharoshti script

Social Stratification

• Caste is the basis of social stratification A unique socio religious • Caste is the basis of social stratification. A unique socio-religious

system , determines status of an individual in the society on the

basis of birthbasis of birth

• Traditionally divided into Forward, Backward and Untouchable

castes – pyramidal form, Forward at top, Backward in middle and

Untouchable at the Bottom

• Responsible for socio-economic and political discrimination and

marginalization of a large section of society for a long time causing marginalization of a large section of society for a long time causing

violent and ideological caste conflicts

• National policy of Reservation in govt. jobs and education for the

discriminated caste groups after independence

The History of Indian Civilization

• Broad timeline of Indian history – Pre-historic- 3300 BC-1700 BC,

Ancient- 500 BC – 550 AD, Medieval – 550 AD – 1857 AD and Modern –

1857 onwards

Kno n histor of Indian ci ili ation begins ith Ind s alle • Known history of Indian civilization begins with Indus valley

civilization in the north-western part of India during 3300 BC–1300 BC

• It’s followed by Vedic Age - Period: 1500 BC to 500 BC

h d d h d f h d h h d• The Vedic Period or the Vedic Age refers to the period when the Vedic

Sanskrit texts were composed in India

Confluence of Cultures• Vedic age flourished during 1500 BC and 500 BC on the Indo-Gangetic Plaing g g

• India became a melting pot of different ethnic groups – Greeks, Scythians,

Huans Turks among othersHuans, Turks among others

• The Aryan invaded India around 1500 BC - 2000 BC from central Asia.

D th i i l D idi i h bit t d thDrove the original Dravidian inhabitants down south

• Indian civilization later got divided into Dravidian and Aryan civilization. In

the Indian context Dravidian was the pre-Aryan civilization

• Christianity came to Kerala in India in 52 AD with St. Thomas

• Islam came to India in circa 11th century and manifested as an empire

(Mogul) in 16th century ruled till mid 19th century, defeated by the British

• Aryans were pastoral people. Had a flair for poetry, philosophical contemplation and elaborate rituals contemplation and elaborate rituals

• Introduced a set of philosophical treaties in the form of four Vedas the basis for Hindu religion- the basis for Hindu religion

• Hindu religion also accommodated the pre-Aryan Gods and Goddesses alongside the Aryan nature Gods and Goddesses

• Shiva, Kali not mentioned in Vedas co-existed with Indra, Surya, Varun and the rest

• Hindu religion is not a contribution of any one God, one preacher or one sacred bookor one sacred book

• Has multiplicity of all the three; thus a way of life both in terms of i d d l its creed and cult

Religion and Philosophy• Philosophy in India is essentially spiritual Religion in India is not dogmatic A • Philosophy in India is essentially spiritual. Religion in India is not dogmatic. A

rational synthesis which goes on gathering itself new conceptions as

philosophy progresses. Experimental and provisional in nature attempting to

keep pace with the progress of thought. (Radhakrishnan in Indian Philosophy,

Vol. 1, Pg. 25)

• Indian philosophy may be divided into two schools of thought – Orthodox and

Heterodox (Aastik and Nastik) one which believed and the other which didn’t

believe in God

• Six schools of orthodox philosophy: Nyaya, Samkhya, Viaseshika, Yoga, Purva

Mimamsa and Upnishad

• Nyaya: Attributed to Gautama, deals with the concepts of reasoning and

logiclogic

• Samkhya: The school of enumeration is the philosophy of manifestation,

includes manifestation of all entities – from subtle to grossest

• Viaseshika: Propounded by Prashastapada, deals with the p y p ,

physical sciences. Explores five elements, interprets mind and

soul of living beingssoul of living beings

• Yoga: Propounded by Patanjali, explores all the states of

human existence underscores unification of body and soul human existence, underscores unification of body and soul

• Purva Mimamsa: Propounded by Jamini, focuses on

i i f h h l i h iemancipation of the human soul with action

• Upnishad: Vedas are considered the source of all knowledge

and Upnishads the interpretation of the Vedas, thus called

Vedanta. The Vedantic philosophy focuses on the concept of

self-realization enabling man to find his true nature beyond

death and decay

Hindu Religion: the Salient Features

• The trinity God Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh gives a • The trinity God – Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh gives a

philosophical explanation to the process of creation, existence

d d t tiand destruction

• Believes in Gods and Gods incarnated – Vishnu has several Believes in Gods and Gods incarnated Vishnu has several

avtars

• Avtars may be historical fact or myth but enjoy status of God

itself

• The belief in the concept of avatar thus makes it easier to

t th t l f diff t b li f t d accept other great souls from different belief system and

accord them the status of God

• Vedanta, underscores only one Ultimate Reality, the , y y,

Brahman, which is true and real

• Rest is all illusion or appearance (maya) with no enduring • Rest is all illusion or appearance (maya) with no enduring

significance

• There’s no one God one messenger or one book to lead the There s no one God, one messenger or one book to lead the path

• There’s no one cult or creed

• The acceptance to the multiplicity of views and rituals The acceptance to the multiplicity of views and rituals makes it more a way of life than a religion

The Heterodox Nastik School

• The Heterodox or the Nastik school of Indian philosophy

includes the philosophical tenets of Carvaka, Buddhism and includes the philosophical tenets of Carvaka, Buddhism and

Jainism

• Carvaka Believed in atheism and materialism. Also known as

Lokayata or materialist school.

• According to the Carvaka philosophy matter is the only real

and knowable entity. Asserted that pratyaksa (perception)

alone is the pramana (source of truthful knowledge) –

pramanam tvaksajam eva hi.

• It professed maximizing worldly pleasure and minimizing p g y p g

pains

• Madhavacharya considered Brhaspati to be the founder of

this school. The earliest complete carvaka treaties is

Jayarasi Bhatta’s Tattvoplava simha

• Buddhist philosophy is non-theist, does not give primacy to

the existence of God. However, it focuses on Karma,

reincarnation and Nirvana

• There is no eternal, unchanging part of us, like the Hindu

idea of Atman; there is no eternal, unchanging aspect of the

universe, like the Hindu idea of Brahman

• Teaches four noble truths and eightfold (ashtangik marg)

• There’s suffering “dukkha” in lifeThere s suffering dukkha in life

• Attachment “tanha” is the origin of suffering

• Cessation of suffering is possible

• The path to cessation of suffering lies in the eightfold middle path (samyak marg) which leads to Nirvana path (samyak marg) which leads to Nirvana

• Buddhist metaphysics talks of Three Marks of Existence-

• Anicca : impermanence: all things are transitory, nothing lasts

• Anatta: no-self or no-soul: existence is without a soul or self

• Dukkha: suffering: all existence, even the highest states of meditation, are forms of suffering, ultimately inadequate and unsatisfactory

• Jainism believes in 24 Tirthankars – the first was Rishabhdev

and the last Bhagwan Mahavir

• Vardhman or Mahavir – a contemporary of Buddha – born c. 599

BC at Vaishali , died 527 BCE at Pavapuri near Rajgir

• Jainism believes world is eternal and endless - not made by

anyone, surely not by God

• World is made of Jiva and Ajiva - spirit and matter. Jain

philosophy laid emphasis on Anekantvad implies liberalism philosophy laid emphasis on Anekantvad, implies liberalism,

allows truth to be assessed from various angles

Believes reality is constituted by innumerable material and • Believes reality is constituted by innumerable material and

spiritual substances, each having infinite qualities

Sufism

ो ि े ी ीखसुरो दिरया प्रम का, उ टी वा की धारजो उतरा सो डूब गया, जो डूबा सो पार

• The early history of Sufism in India is vague, however, the first Sufi

h ll d I di h M l H ll j who travelled India was the martyr Mansur-al-Hallaj

• Sent to gallows for saying “anal-Haqq (I’m the absolute truth, I’m g y g qq ( ,

God)

I di d d i h f S k d B kh I d i 11th• India attracted dervishes from Samarkand, Bukhara, Iran during 11th

century AD

• Sufism is essentially Islamic mysticism which in India imbibed

certain terms and notions prevalent in Hindu philosophy

• Laid stress on tauba (repentance) and tawakkul (Faith in God)

• In India it tried to interpret Islam in a more liberal manner and

d d i i i f ll i I lsucceeded in gaining following to Islam

• A large part of Indian philosophical influence on Sufism came

through the contact of Islamic mystics with the Buddhists who had

set up monasteries in Balkh

• The concept of fana (annihilation of self) is close to nirvana and

moska

• Habs-i-dam : holding back breath – a yogic process

• Sama : spiritual concert

• Rosaries and counting of beads – practiced by Hindus and Buddhists

• Pir-O-Murid – Guru-Shishya traditiony

• Its history begins with the establishment of chishti and suhrawardi

monasteries or khankas founded by Khawja Moinuddin Chishti of

Ajmer and latter by Shaikh Bahauddin Zaki in Multan

• There’re different different tariqas (orders) of Sufism

• The most prominent tariqas of India include -

Shadhiliyya Chishtiyyah Naqshbandiyyah QadiriyyahShadhiliyya, Chishtiyyah, Naqshbandiyyah, Qadiriyyah,

Suhrawardiyya, Ahmadiyya, and Muhammadiya orders

• Amir Khusro (1253-1325), Bulle Shah (1689-1752) are among the

prominent Sufi poets

Gandhi: The Modern Messiah

2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948

The Man and His Philosophy

A h h l lif hi ‘ i t ith t th’ • A man whose whole life was his ‘experiments with truth’,

never shied away to learn from his mistakes

• His Objectives: Swaraj & Sarvodaya– Self Rule & Uplift of all

• His Weapons: Satya & Ahimsa – Truth and Non-violence

• His Method: Satyagrah & Asahyog Civil Disobedience and • His Method: Satyagrah & Asahyog – Civil Disobedience and

Non- cooperation

• His Credo: Compassion, Self-sacrifice, Unity of Being,

Spirituality, Practice what you Preach

Economic Ideals of Gandhi• According to me the economic constitution of India and for the matter of that According to me the economic constitution of India and for the matter of that

of the world, should be such that no one under it should suffer from want of

f d d l thi I th d b d h ld b bl t t ffi i t food and clothing. In other words everybody should be able to get sufficient

work to enable him to make the two ends meet. And this ideal can be

universally realized only if the means of production of the elementary

necessaries of life remain in the control of the masses. These should be freely

available to all as God’s air and water are or ought to be; they should not be

made a vehicle of traffic for the exploitation of others. Their monopolization

by any country, nation or group of persons would be unjust. The neglect of this

simple principle is the cause of the destitution that we witness today not only simple principle is the cause of the destitution that we witness today not only

in this unhappy land but in other parts of the world too.

Social Ideals of Gandhi

• I want to bring about an equalization of status. The

working classes have all these centuries been isolated

and relegated to a lower status. They have been

shudras, and the word has been interpreted to mean and

inferior status. I want to allow no differentiation

between the son of a weaver, of an agriculturist and of a

schoolmasterschoolmaster.

Political Ideals of Gandhi• To me political power is not an end but one of the means of • To me political power is not an end but one of the means of

enabling people to better their condition in every department of

life. Political power means capacity to regulate national life life. Political power means capacity to regulate national life

through national representatives. If national life becomes so

perfect as to become self-regulated, no representation becomes p g , p

necessary. There is then a state of enlightened anarchy. In such a

state everyone is his own ruler. He rules himself in such a manner

that he is never a hindrance to his neighbours. In the ideal state

therefore, there is no political power because there is no State.

But the ideal is never fully realized in life. Hence the classical

statement of Thoreau that that government is best which governs

the least.

Science & Technology in India

• Development of S&T adopted as a national policy in post-

independence era

• Scientific Policy Resolution 1958 and Technology Policy Statement of

1983 enunciated principles for the growth of S&T in Indiap p g

• Nehru emphasized on developing the ‘scientific temper’

• Called dams and industries temples of modern India

• The 2004 S&T policy emphasizes on integrating it with education

and research in view of the economic liberalization and demands in

agriculture, industry, service and social sector

• The S&T infrastructure has grown up from about Rs. 10

million at the time of independence in 1947 to Rs. 30 billion

• Significant achievements made in the areas of nuclear and Significant achievements made in the areas of nuclear and

space science, electronics and defense

• Third largest scientific and technical manpower in the

world; 162 universities award 4,000 doctorates and 35,000

postgraduate degrees and the Council of Scientific and

Industrial Research runs 40 research laboratories

• Atomic Energy, Space Research, Oceanography,

h l A l d d d l S Biotechnology, IT, Agriculture, Medicine and Medical Science

are part of the large gamut

Major S&T Setup in India

Source: Deptt. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India

Indian Economy

• From a mixed economy with a socialist bias, India has moved on to market economy since 1990

• Public sector dominance is over, the competition between private and foreign players in all sectors of economy: private and foreign players in all sectors of economy: telecom, aviation, automobile, IT, media, pharma, steel, infrastructure, white goods, hospitality, banking and the rest is order of the dayis order of the day

• Indian companies have become MNCs – Tata, Mittal, Birla, Airtel, Reliance, Videocon are among a few Indian Airtel, Reliance, Videocon are among a few Indian multinational operators

• Strong Balance of Payment (BOP) has helped in considerable g y ( ) paccumulation of foreign reserve

• Indian Forex reserve as on July 22, 2011 was US $316,801 mn. (Source: RBI)

• Exports during March, 2011 were valued at US $ 29134.89 mn.

(Rs. 131081.97 crore)

• Cumulative value of exports for the period April-March 2010 -

11 was US $ 245868.29 mn. (Rs 1118822.85 crore)

I t d i M h 2011 l d t US $ 34743 08 • Imports during March, 2011 were valued at US $ 34743.08 mn.

(Rs.156314.00 crore)

• Cumulative value of imports for the period April-March, 2010-

11 was US $ 350694.97 mn. (Rs. 1596869.37 crore) (Source: Ministry

of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India)

• The above characteristics make it a developing economy but

the low per capita income (appx. US $ 1000/) also make it

an underdeveloped economy

• Indian economy is expected to grow at the rate of 8.2% as

per IMF Report

• The rate of unemployment is 9 4% which in absolute numbers • The rate of unemployment is 9.4% which in absolute numbers

is 40 million persons

• 65% of Indian population depends on agriculture but the

sector contributes only 23% of the GDP

Media, Entertainment & Cinema• Media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy in Indiap y

• Draws strength from “Freedom of Expression” a Fundamental

Right guaranteed under Constitution

Th t t l b f i t d M h 2009 • The total number of registered newspapers, March 2009:

73,146. Hindi Publications: 29,094, English publications:

10,530. Hindi, English, Regional: 25,79,53,373

• 26% FDI is allowed in news publications and 100% in non-26% FDI is allowed in news publications and 100% in non

news publications

P i t l d t f th N ti l T l i i • Privately owned except for the National Television –

Doordarshan and Broadcast Service – Aakashvani (AIR)

• Political affiliations and business interest often deviate India

media from its mission

Gl l b it h d ti li d bi h • Glamour, celebrityhood, sensationalism and big money have

trivialized the content of India media, particularly the

l delectronic media

• The distinction between news and entertainment in the The distinction between news and entertainment in the

news channels is thinning

• TRP (Television Rating Point) competition has made news

reporting sensational and often incredible

• Nevertheless, the institution of media is growing stronger

Entertainment: Indian Cinema Industry

• Production of over 1000 films a year it’s the largest film industry • Production of over 1000 films a year, it s the largest film industry

in the world. FICCI-KPMG Report envisages Indian entertainment

industry to touch US $ 28 Billion by 2015 – a 14% growthindustry to touch US $ 28 Billion by 2015 a 14% growth

• Indian films range from fantasy, melodrama, to social realism. A

mix of aesthetics, drama and action. The popular cinema is guided

by the market forces. Love and romance are central to the theme

• Dance, music, romance and action are hallmark of the genre called

Indian cinema Has economic and a cultural dimension tooIndian cinema. Has economic and a cultural dimension too

• Indian cinema has resisted the cultural imperialism of Hollywood

though its form has been inspired by it, But thematically and

structurally it has been quite distinct

• Swiss locations are favourite to Indian filmmakers. Shooting on

Swiss locations began in 1960s. Raj Kapur’s Sangam and Shakti

Samanta’s An Evening in Paris were the pioneers http://www youtube com/watch?v Dt64ijB9ZRshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt64ijB9ZRs

• In 1995 Yash Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge made

Switzerland popular among Indians http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alp9YaGWpC0

• Indian film industry becoming globalized Reliance Big Pictures has • Indian film industry becoming globalized - Reliance Big Pictures has

JV with Spielberg US$ 825 million: Warner Brothers has produced

Chandani Chowk to China Town: Slumdog Millionaire directed by Chandani Chowk to China Town: Slumdog Millionaire directed by

British Director Danny Boyle also received Oscar for best original

score by AR Rahman, best original track by AR Rahman & Gulzar y , g y

and best sound mixing by Resul Pookutty

Concludingly• Multiplicity and diversity characterize the nation called India and • Multiplicity and diversity characterize the nation called India and

the Indian society

• Conflict and reconciliation are the two parallel forces which go on

simultaneously

• So the Naxalites, the Maoist, the Secessionists armed struggle

against the state is subdued and subsumed in democratic process

• Liberalism always prevails over authoritarianism

• Indian renaissance which awakened the Indian society in 19thy

century ensured India gets its rightful place in the world

• That it’s known as a modern nation yet not disjointed from its

civilizational anchorage

Select BibliographyBasham, A.L. The Wonder that was India. London: Picador, 2004.

Bhandarkar, D.R. Lectures on the Ancient History of India. Delhi: Asian Educational Service, 1994.

Geiger, Thierry & Rao, S. P. (Editors) “The India Competitiveness Review 2009” Geneva: World Economic Forum. 2009.

<https://members.weforum.org/pdf/ICR2009.pdf> ON 29 July 2011.

Guha, Ramchandra. Makers of Modern India. Delhi: Penguin, 2010

---------------- India After Gandhi – The History of World’s Largest Democracy. Delhi: Pan Macmillan, Picador India, 2008.

Habib, Irfan. “Kosambi, Marxism and Indian History” Economic & Political Weekly. 26 July 2008

<http://tinyurl.com/452bhlh> ON 14 Aug. 2011.

Husain, Yusuf. Glimpses of Medieval Indian Culture. Bombay: Asia Publishing House, 1962.

Kosambi, D. D. Myth and Reality: Studies in the Formation of Indian Culture. Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 2005

Muller, F. Max. The Upnishadas Part II: The Sacred Books of the East Part Fifteen. <http://tinyurl.com/3tauwar> ON 15 Aug.

20112011

Naipaul, V. S. India a Wounded Civilization. New York: Vintage Books, 2003.

Nehru, J.L. Discovery of India. Delhi: Oxford University Press. 1985.

Radhakrishnan, S. Indian Philosophy. London: Allen & Unwin, 1996.Radhakrishnan, S. Indian Philosophy. London: Allen & Unwin, 1996.

------------------- A Hindu View of Life. London: Unwin Books, 1963.

Tendulkar, S. D. “Report of the Expert Group to Review the Methodology for Estimation of Poverty”. New Delhi: Govt. of

India, Planning Commission, 2009.

UNDP 2010 Human Development Index <http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2010_EN_Complete_reprint.pdf> ON 15 Aug,

2011.

2008 World Development Indicators. Washington D.C. : World Bank, 2008. <http://tinyurl.com/3zh493n> ON 13 Aug. 2011.