Youth must defeat fundamental forces in country: Guha

Historian and Biographer Ramachandra Guha gave a call to the young denizens of the country to do their mite in solving the problems plaguing society like exploitation of dalits, oppression of women among others.

While delivering the inaugural address at the opening of ‘MYRAGO’, an annual student festival at MYRA School of Business, here, recently, Guha said, “Youth should also defeat fundamental forces which are corroding roots of an emerging nation in the world economy.”

Substantiating, Guha said it was because of historical reasons and patronisation of rich cultural heritage, cities like Mysuru, Bengaluru, Dharwad, Pune etc., were known to all. Youth should develop interest in such aspects of the country.

Guha said the uniqueness of India lies in the adoption of ‘universal adult franchise’ especially in a young nation ridden with poverty and illiteracy. Comparing the evolution of democratic models of different countries such as England and France, where the model of one language, one religion and one enemy united the nation, Guha pronounced that India—a relatively young republic was a successful democracy. This audacious gamble not only worked but was hugely successful as well.
Drawing parallels across diverse countries such as Great Britain and Sri Lanka, he opined the plurality of languages and religion was the strength of India. The credit goes to farsighted vision of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Ambedkar and others.

Unity in diversity is the essence of India that makes it a confederation of more than 30 states and Union Territories with different cultures, languages, music, dance, drama, art and architecture.
He warned against the concept of Hindi, Hindu, Hindustani or one language, one religion, one nation theory citing examples of countries, which have ruined themselves having gone that route.

Today, different states of India follow different languages but follow single rulebook called Constitution of India, which has given equal rights to all citizen irrespective of their caste, creed, region or religion. He elaborated the importance of celebration of multiple languages and history tells that imposition of one language and one culture will have dire consequences. He cited the examples of separation of East and West Pakistan and civil war in Sri Lanka.

While bringing up the virtues of work life balance, he highlighted the importance of music, literature, art, architecture and being with nature. Work life balance does not mean, sitting at home as couch potato and watching IPL, but exploring other dimensions of life, so that one would have a better understanding about oneself and the society in which one lives, he said.
DH News Service