Ancient rishis gave us gift of pure sprituality that never existed in the religions of the west. We adopte christs teachings leaving christianity because we are spiritual.
Study Vedanta a mind blowing spirituality. The entire universe is guided by a single consciousness called Brahman.
Like you enjoy sun rise and sun set though you know that sun never sets and rises, we poeple enjoy our separated self but we are all one.
Like you enjoy food and through garbage but you know that everything has electrons and protons and nuetrons, Brahman is one but Maya separates us.
Ayurveda, Yoga, Advaita the list goes on.
Media and consumerism fool us. I simply ignore media these days. I rely on internet news and I am not brand conscious.
RE:Hindu Culture
by R K Reddy on Jul 29, 2008 10:42 AM Permalink
Well, you are one in a sea of billion souls. Do you see the tide turning against consumerism or do you accept the fact that hinduism is a very good religion that existsed in ancient history.
Too good....seen such a article in Rediff after a long time. Indian Civilization will rule the World in future. Don't just ape any country ...make ur own identity so that the world fears and respects u.
RE:In order to whip India out of the torpidity she finds herself in,
by Dipak Bose on Jul 29, 2008 10:32 AM Permalink
Three M's that are strangling can very well be:
(1) Marwaris and their counterparts from other communities;
(2) Media full of English speaking convent educated journalists or retired officers.
(3) Muslims who should be in Pakistan after 1947 but refused to go even after creating their exclusive homeland.
We are not a civilization anymore. We are just a bunch of apes. We ape the West for everything. The problem is that we don't follow any restraint or responsibility while imitating the West. We think eating pizzas and burgers is hep where as in the West it is convenience or at the low end of the food chain. We wear like them. Particularly women's dress is becoming smaller and smaller. For us that is progressive. Now we have cheerleaders in every sports and games. I don't understand what or who they are chearing. We just want to do something the West does. Even in the West I don't believe in every game they have this nonsense. In developed countries women smoke more than men. I don't know if we are getting there but women have started drinking in our country. Dating, sex before marriage and living together are all considered advanced culture by us.
No wonder divorces are going up. We are becoming obesse society with large diabetic population. When West is trying to move in our direction by embracing Yoga and meditation, we are going in their direction. We think a population that is educated and wealthy would definitely move in this direction. That is not true. Look at Japan. They are wealthy by any means but still they preserve their culture so well. West looks at them even now and say they have a few things to learn from them. There are several books written by White people on how Japan has preserved the friendliness of Baseball games without too much commercializati
RE:Apes
by dfh hhj on Jul 29, 2008 05:11 AM Permalink
Even speaking in Hindi has the danger of you being labelled "Bhaiya" or "Behenji" I think the Indians have a deep sense of inferiority complex and also they cannot stand each other. In the west, the custom is to greet even passers by on the street with a polite "How are you" or "G'mornin'" and a smile , but when Indians see one another, they just look away or size each other up as in "oh no! another Indian" Look at the Indian's behavior in airplanes, restaurants etc: talking loudly, never clean up after themselves, forever trying to pick an argument etc.
RE:Apes
by santosh valipe on Jul 29, 2008 05:04 AM Permalink
I think the west really hate the weak. i can explain you. Columbus went to america and then all British went with him. They killed all native americans and made america, Very simple. The british came to India Ruled India and said we are irresponsible people, Monkeys in heaven like country and so on. Well same people Killed so many there as we had kings and civilization they were not able to finish indian race. Such a brutal west. Iraq in modern time is same thing you cannot meet a Iraqi man who did not loose his family member in a war. Iraq had 6,000 years of civilization and history. It applies same on us if we are weak we will suffer and die. But India can win this rubbish bad diplomatic war and get good benefits. Finish pakistan issue and move on to the next level. Culture Indian culture is unique weather or not some one like it at all. Westerners in general do not like Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Arabic cultures. Christianity is what they like and believe so the war in Israel. This goes on and on with Osama asking to wage war against India right now it is too complicated but surely one of the strongest and matured countries in world especially most matured country in Asia. It cannot loose if it looses the world has to face terrible destiny.
RE:Apes
by Mahesh on Jul 29, 2008 03:05 AM Permalink
These days we don't even see bindi on the forehead of our women. Anything that is typical to our culture is considered backward. With such aping mentality we will not get any respect from other cultures as we only follow others and we don't lead on anything.
1) when they know that elections even if UPA loses the trust vote will happen in march and if they win by may. so the 100 crore loss should go for BJP with communists did that.
2) as far as my knowledge is according to Indian constitution the defence of a state is under state govt (BJP in the matter of gujrat and karnataka) and center cannot take part till either it is presedent rule or it is requested from them by state govt. so for bomb blast BJP should be blamed.
3) For cash for vote. if somnath would have deffered does it not means India would have lost another 50-80 crore rupees.
4) if somnath would have regined does it not going against indian constitution
5) well about nuke deal advani has quoted they will accept the same deal if they are in govt but they will oppose it if they are oposition like women's bill
I agree with this article 100%. With the recent events of parliament vote, back to back blasts (or 6-7 blasts during UPA regime), accepting Hyde act for nuclear deal, India has hit a new low where significant nation building is required to avoid its disintegration in future years. People and politicians have become corrupt to the extent that they will sell their country's soul and morale to be in power for short term and to satisfy their personal ego. Honest is almost non existent. It smacks of pre British India where different rulers sold their sovereignty for the want of British protection ultimately enslaving the country. We are on the same road again.
I may be called a dalit, for my blood. But I still believe in cast system, we have been potters throug out history, now I became an graduate, I work in an office, and I am an educated papper pusher.
This is what the west wanted. Potters come out of their work, after few years we forget our art, skill and become good for nothing. My people look to the west an appreciate a much lesser work and appreciate.
This is how the west intends to destroy our great civilisation. Caste system is to be used properly not abused. Like some short sighted priest did and which brought shame to all of us.
think caste system brings dicipline. If I can do the best pottery on earth and business does his job and a janitor his India will again reach its greatness.
Priest need to be carefull when they talk and act. If people cross lines, they will be curbed.
I think, time has come to go back to my roots and do justice to my clan. I may be better of to make the best pottery on earth and gain fame rather than push paper in this huge
RE:Men with no Ideals
by Global Hindu on Jul 29, 2008 03:25 AM Permalink
You got it right. Hindu culture is like best practices put in place. God is just one of the aspects of Hinduism GOD not everything. That is why even an Atheist can be a Hindu.
Caste system gives diversity and abusing caste system is bad.
The times are changing now. Tirumala is training 30 fishermen so that they can take care of local temples. I hope every Hindu learns Hinduism in the coming years to come.
RE:Men with no Ideals
by CatchTwentyTwo on Jul 29, 2008 06:19 AM Permalink
Its ridiculous to think that the caste system will not be abused and that everyone will live in a utopian world.
uh.. sorry my friends... it aint gonna happen.. and I gotta disagree... I will ape the western culture when I want to and I will ape the eastern culture when I want to and I will turn into an ape if I have to and I will be myself when I want to.
All such articles that try and glorify one religion and use such sentimental crap to get hordes of Indians shouting from the top that theirs is the best culture are nothing but meglomaniac fantasies.
As for the menace of terrorism, it has to be treated from the root and is not a political treaty that can be signed or something a BJP government or a Congress government can wipe out in a year. There can be a parliament attack when BJP is in power but that does not mean that its the BJPs fault and similarly here for the UPA.
Having said that, the point to ask is, is it too much to expect peace in this country? No. But, is it so easy to wipe out Terrorism and if it is, why is the entire world struggling? NO, its not that easy but yes, it is easy to question and we should. But,is it enough to blame the UPA or the BJP or someone else so long as it is not you and your religion? NO. NO. and NO.
So stop kidding yourselves by working to eradicate terrorirsm by educating ALL Indians to respect ALL religions and stop blaming others. That is our snigle biggest flaw, if you ask me. So, first, stop the blame game!
RE:Men with no Ideals
by Global Hindu on Jul 29, 2008 07:44 AM Permalink
I am sorry you got it all wrong. I respect religions period. But how can you tolerate intolrence? If the participating religions in a secular world are nore torelent, secularism is a joke.
Today the problem persists because we dont call a spade a spade. You will never find a pastor or mulla who will agree with Hindu Budhist ideas but a priest and monk will be perfectly ok with Xianity and Islam.
RE:Men with no Ideals
by CatchTwentyTwo on Jul 29, 2008 10:30 AM Permalink
Funny you say that I got it "all" wrong and talk only about the intolerance part. And moreover by not mincing words and "calling a spade a spade", you want to blame some mullah or a pastor. But you dont offer any solutions.
SO, once again this "global hindu" can only blame someone else for all the trouble in the world. My friend, as a Hindu, I am secular enough and secure enough to understand that just as there are muslim fundamentalists, so also, there are hindu funtamentalists. The scale and the numbers may differ elsewhere in the world but in India, they are almost the same.
So, you have got to stop kidding yourself and stop blaming "secular" people and stop glorifying your own religion... and thinking its the only way to live. There are other religions which also present a path to a good life. They may be misused, misunderstood, and mis-interpreted just like Hinduism is. But, really, to state caste system in Hinduism is the best societal form for the world is a stretch, my friend.
Good article, but overall you've made some kichdi by roping in Christain missionaries and Nuclear deal and Ratan Tata and so forth. What wrong has Christian missonaries done other than feed the poor? So what if a few of them convert on their own? Don't swamis and gurus go all over the world? What about the Art of living guru? The Nucler deal is totoally misunderstood, civilian and weapons are separate in the deal.
And lastly why blame Rata Tata? He has dedicated his life for the Indians, Tata Memorial hospital, cancer society, scholarships etc. Tatas contribute more than 20% of their profits to improve illiteracy.Sometimes they are forced to play the political game, due to no choice of theirs.
I think you should spell it out clearly Indian traditions have been hijacked by Islam. Islam is a dangerous sect of violent criminals. Abolish ISLAM and the world will be a better place. If they are insistent on continuning we should ship them to the Moon. They can breed there.
RE:Good artcile but kichdi
by sam on Jul 29, 2008 02:29 AM Permalink
Dear I wonder at your intelligence, I believe this guy is the only sane guy with his head on shoulder. I have not seen any article of this class which is hard hitting truth. He is not making Khichadi, read the article again if you still dont understand then stop writing for shake of writing.
RE:Good artcile but kichdi
by Reformer on Jul 29, 2008 02:50 AM Permalink
REALLY.. Google this guys name and read his bried biography and find out then from where these "hard hitting truths" are coming.
RE:Good artcile but kichdi
by Guest on Jul 29, 2008 02:53 AM Permalink
Francois is correct, from the fact that the politicians who cannot distinguish guerrilas from gorillas, and act and look like the latter, we find the modern day industrialists going the same way. Maybe the Tatas can only escape this criticism. The fact is, in this modern India, nobody wants to accept social responsibility, hence the teachings of Chanakya should be made compulsory in the Indian education with a reival of Sanskrit language. Hail Francois
I don't understand why a French guy is commenting on India...dude there are enough problems in France that you should be paying attention to...It is statistically impossible to find harmony in India!
RE:Is the author French?
by Reformer on Jul 29, 2008 02:55 AM Permalink
andddd.. a noted western hindu convert..writer of book "rewriting history of India"...lived in India since 1970 in Ashrams...a major contributor to "voice of India" publications ....and now writing books and articles to payback his tribute to the people who have given him shelter and so called "spiritual guidance" ...note that but his writings, books and articles are coming only at times now when the seed of Hidutva has become a well grown tree in name of BJP in the Indian politics and administration during last 19 years
RE:Is the author French?
by Malathi U on Jul 29, 2008 07:25 AM Permalink
We should be very thankful to Francois for having soo much respect for our culture and country. He has more Indian blood than many of us. I loved this article, thanks Mr. Gautier. Thank you.
RE:RE:Is the author French?
by roger manuel on Jul 29, 2008 11:31 AM Permalink
Hi French Dont like Americans. and India was a french Market for war planes. Now India is turing to US. So the french Dont like it cause they lose Buzz
RE:Is the author French?
by Guest on Jul 29, 2008 03:03 AM Permalink
This French guy talks hardhitting sense to those Indians who have forgotten their cultural values, hence this bitter truth hurts people like you and refuse to accept his prognosis. Instead of rhetorics practised by typicaly uneducated Sonias who have descended in India to make ungainly wealth and power, please do some research on Fancois and you will come to realise the intensity with which he regards the cultural values imbedded within India
RE:Is the author French?
by deepak on Jul 29, 2008 02:26 AM Permalink
He is more indian than many indians themselves.. At least, he does ape western like many of the indians do and without evaluating the consequence to society...
