Bharat is a land with a rich past, an inspirational present, and an aspirational future. However, more often than not the spotlight is never shone on those individuals and communities who are making a difference and bringing glory to the nation. Small victories that go unnoticed, have a huge potential to positively influence the society.
The Bharat Rising Series cuts through the noise to bring you the most inspiring stories, remarkable achievements, and positive progress from across our nation and the wider Bharatiya community. In this weekly series, we not only bring to you inspirational present-day stories but also provide a glimpse of the rich civilizational heritage that goes under the radar.
Sports
Bharat’s athletes have won medals across several disciplines at the ongoing Asian Games making the country proud.
Gold medals: Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet won gold in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event, while the Bharatiya Women’s Cricket Team secured gold in women’s cricket defeating Sri Lanka in the Final by a margin of 147 runs.
Silver medals: Elavenil Valarivan, Sonam Maskar and Vidarsa Vinod won silver in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Team event, with Elavenil Valarivan also securing individual silver; Rudrankksh Patil, Parth Mane and Himanshu Dhillon won silver in the Men’s 10m Air Rifle Team event, while Himanshu Dhillon earned individual silver. Mirabai Chanu won silver in Women’s 49kg Weightlifting, Roshibina Devi in Women’s 60kg Wushu Sanda, the Bharatiya Mixed 4×400m Relay Team in the mixed relay, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil and Niraj Kumar in Men’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team, and Gulveer Singh in Men’s 10,000m.
Bronze medals: Rudrankksh Patil in Men’s 10m Air Rifle Individual, Suchika Tariyal in Women’s Traditional MMA −60kg, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon and Maheshwari Chauhan in Women’s Skeet Team, Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill and Mairaj Ahmad Khan in Men’s Skeet Team, Jay Meena in Men’s Singles Soft Tennis, the Bharatiya Men’s Badminton Team, Satnam Singh and Salman Khan in Men’s Double Sculls Rowing, Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal in Mixed Skeet Team, Seema in Women’s 10,000m, Manpreet Kaur in Women’s Shot Put, and Baranica Elangovan in Women’s Pole Vault.
Civilizational Bharat Snippet
Bharat’s rich past deserves to be celebrated as well as introduced to the younger generations. There are several dynasties lost in the sand of time & kept away from public eye by left-leaning academicians and politicians. Similarly, several practices, concepts, ideas, and customs, that can serve us well even today, have been discarded or kept buried due to so-called modernization. This snippet aims to give a glimpse of dynasties that deserve the spotlight, highlight concepts that enrich our civilization, and/or practices/customs that may help us find solutions to our modern problems.
Gurukul System: Reviving Value-Based Education in the Modern Era
The Gurukul System of ancient Bharat offers valuable lessons for addressing the challenges of modern education. Today, students face increasing academic pressure, stress, competition, and a lack of meaningful character development. Education has often become focused on marks, degrees, and career success, while values, emotional well-being, and moral responsibility receive less attention.
The Gurukul tradition emphasized holistic education, nurturing the mind, body, and character. Students lived and learned in close connection with their teachers and nature. The Guru–Shishya relationship was built on trust, discipline, respect, and personal guidance. Learning extended beyond textbooks to include ethics, self-discipline, practical skills, and responsibility toward society.
Reviving these principles in modern education by integrating them with modern technology and contemporary knowledge will go a long way in the all-round development of children. Schools can integrate value-based learning, environmental education, meditation, practical activities, and stronger teacher–student relationships. Learning through nature can encourage curiosity, patience, and respect for the environment, while personalized mentoring can support students’ emotional and intellectual growth.
A balanced education system must prepare individuals not only to earn a living but also to live with purpose, integrity, and compassion. By combining the wisdom of the Gurukul System with modern educational opportunities, we can build a generation that is knowledgeable, resilient, responsible, and grounded in human values.
Upcoming Hindu Festival
Strictly speaking, Shradh or Pitru Paksh is not a festival but a fortnight (16 days) dedicated to departed ancestors. Pitru Paksha is the period of 16 days beginning with the Purnima Shradh and culminating with the Mahalaya Amavasya or the Sarvapitru Amavasya. During this period Hindus worship their ancestors by observing the Shradh ritual.
It falls in the Bhadrapad month as per the Amavasyant calendar followed in the south and in the month of Ashwin according to the Purnimant calendar followed in the north. However, the dates of Pitru Paksha and Shradh rituals fall on the same day and only the nomenclature differs in North and South Bharat.
It generally begins on the day of the full moon (Purnima) or the day after the full moon. It is a period to offer prayers to one’s departed ancestors and Hindus offer puja, follow Shradh rituals and undertake Daan activities during this period.
This year Pitru Paksha takes place from 26 September to 10 October.
Suggested Reading
2) India’s forests were never just resources
3) A Tharavaad Day: Menu and Memory
4) Nurturing the Soul of a Civilization: Where Childhood Meets Civilizational Consciousness
5) From Devbhoomi to Global Stage: A 2030 Roadmap for Uttarakhand’s Cultural and Tourism Transformation
