आम्ही कोण?

Nation and Nationalism ….what are these concepts? Are they some abstract concepts which do not need any further explanation, thought or analysis? I delved into my conscience. And found some answers. I analyzed it just like I analyze any other feeling or intuition which comes naturally to me. Suppose tomorrow, children are taken from different parts of the world, and are assembled in a hypothetical non-national area, say a hospitable part of Antarctica. They are to lead their lives there. They are provided all facilities there. All the apparatus necessary for the functioning of a STATE such as a judiciary, a constitution, a government, legislature, law enforcement agencies, and army are provided. In schools their teachers, and guardians at dormitories, constantly keep on telling them, that they are a part of a new nation . They are nationals of a newly formed nation with no history whatsoever. Will they develop a feeling of nationalism towards their newly formed nation ? There will ...

Indian culture and civilization have their roots in remote antiquity and so are the Indian traditions related to food and cuisine. India is considered to be the home of spices and hence the concept of taste. India has enjoyed a monopoly in production and trade of spices since the dawn of history. The typical climate of the Indian subcontinent, Monsoon climate, has been instrumental in development and evolution of large number of herbs and shrubs from which various spices are produced. According to ancient Mesopotamian records, the Mesopotamian civilization traded with ancient India which included spices as a commodity of primary importance. Ancient Indian civilization, or more particularly, the Indus-Sarawathi Civilization, traded with the rest of ancient world which included Egypt and Mesopotamia through ports like Lothal (on the coast of present day Gujarat ). Rivers like Indus and Saraswati were also used for navigation of spices from hinterlands to the ports. T...

The recent trail of events which took place in cities across Maharashtra can definitely be categorized as unfortunate not as entirely unexpected। The huge influx of people from northern states especially Uttar Pradesh and Bihar was building up resentment among locals and the comments made by Mr। Raj Thackeray, irrespective of the motive, genuine or political, gave vent to it. While the comments by him can be labeled as opportune and politically motivated, the problem itself cannot be ignored. The feelings expressed by him have certainly met with an echo from sections of Marathi populace which testifies the existence of the problem.The problem itself is multifaceted and cannot be stated by making rhetorical remarks or blanket statements. The reaction to Raj Thackeray's remarks has been equally or even more hostile, not only from the expected quarters of political parties but also from self styled human rights activists, armchair social workers and bourgeoisie intelligentsia(likes of...