India, a nation once celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry, has witnessed an alarming decline in its cultural identity. The grandeur of its heritage, the profound depth of its literature, and the soul stirring vibrancy of its art are increasingly being overshadowed by what can only be described as a miasma of cultural erosion. This decline is not a natural progression but the result of systematic contamination that targets the very essence of Indian ethos.
The Glory of Indian LegacyS
The history of India is full of such glories as the Mauryas, Guptas etc who set a political and cultural progression from forefront. It has been these dynasties’ policies the promotion of art, science, philosophy, governance that echoed throughout the ancient world. The ideas described in the then treatises of Chanakya about statecraft, the poetic brilliance of Kalidasa or the mathematical brilliance in the form of work done by Aryabhata in establishing the field of astronomy are the concrete proofs. Continued of this tradition of Resistance and Geniuses were brought up by Subhas Chandra Bose, Veer Savarkar and Bhagat Singh etc. They symbolized the independence and fight against suppression which gave them strength of an India and hope for an India. However, these heroes and their achievements are gradually removed from people’s awareness and become secondary.
The Cultural Assault
Modern day art and writing being under the impact having shifted far off from true Indian living. Though once, the theatres and literature scenes were vibrant messengers of Indian society, it is now filled with themes and narratives unheard of in India. This is our culture; this imported art is; not complex enough to pierce to the depth of tens Millions of people find vulgar.
Side by side with this artistic degeneration is the destruction of educational system. The curricula that should help one feel proud of Indian glorious tradition are filled with the disappointments of the nation’s past. It is not king or historical figure-bashing, the heroes of today are remembered while the empires like the Mauryas, Guptas, Cholas, Marathas, etc. get a few lines or a paragraph. This obliterating of history makes the youth unaware of their roots not only that but also expose them to even worst indoctrination of their minority identity.
The Perils of Wokism
What is even alarming is that today, Wokism working under the pretext of progressivism phones for societal division. On the one hand, when progressive thought is distilled and disseminated, it opens the doors for the social progress of cultures, but when the same is left unbridled it paints a culture’s pride as evil. The storytelling odd lies in which present the history only as a sequence of sins while denying its totality and strength.
This does not serve the purpose of ideologies and put those with a vested interest in casteism, religious bigtory and regional animosity back in their fine seat instead of working on the restoration of dignity and honor from the injuries inflicted in history. Instead, it creates a divided self and maims the Indian psyche to feel embarrassments with their roots rather than celebrations. Others who although fought for freedom like savarkar Bose and Bhagat Singh are painted either black or white and the common aim of having a strong integrated India is forgotten.
Reclaiming Our Cultural Identity
Strengthening the track of the Indian society’s antecedent can be an important step towards its rejuvenation. We must:
1. Revamp Education: Introduce an assimilated-apropos study of the history of Independent India to propagate the glorious deeds done by our forefathers and the bitter facts of the past struggle. This extends to leaving political neutrality to historical role models and figures.
2. Revitalize Art and Literature: The clerical agenda should focus on cultural productions originating from the Indian culture. Promote indigenous artists, writers and performers who produce art pieces that depict our fore-fathers’ culture and the current society.
3. Encourage Critical Thinking: Build a culture which would be capable of enjoying what has been achieved while not being overly defined by that change. Instead of eradicating our history as ‘woke’ ideologies suggest, ‘woke’ culture should involve a challenge to it with the intention of improving tomorrow.
4. Promote Unity: Subdue other forms of extremism by a policy of appealing to historical unity and common goal of all Indians. The history of our great empires and leaders must remain before our eyes, not as reason for distaste and hatred.
Conclusion
So, I would like to underline that the strength of India is in the fact that it changes and develops but is it still remains the same. We are successors of one of the most diverse and robust traditions and we must protect it. Wokeness and liberal ideologies should be a model for liberalism and the advancement of society rather than a bashing instrument and proxy for erasure. Let us cherish the dream of Mauryas and Guptas, Savarkar and Bose and let their dream of India remain alive in our conscious and sub-conscious. Only after that it is possible to climb the ranks once more and become an unbroken civilization that people can be proud of.
–Sudhanshu Malviya
