Thiruvananthapuram: The concept of Indian Nationalism is quite different from Nazis’ “Nationalism” of Germany, Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR) member Member Secretary Prof Sachchidananda Mishra said on Thursday.
Inaugurating the two-day National seminar on ‘The Relevance of Sri Aurobindo in Our Times’ at the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram here in connection with the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, Mishra said “While German Nationalism takes pride in assertion of its supremacy and dominance with brute force, the Indian Nationalism does it with love as it has two guiding principles.”
Comparing the Nationalism of India with Nazism on the basis of Sri Aurobindo’s teachings, he said that the latter is guilty of starting the second word war which resulted in Jewish holocaust while India believes in Nationalism of its rich cultural heritage.
“It is understood that any Nationalism takes pride in assertion of its supremacy and dominance. Therefore, many people disclaim any Nationality and want to be world citizens,” he pointed out.
“They don’t want to be associated with any country as humanity has no boundary; the love for humanity should not be limited to the citizens of a particular country rather it should go beyond all geographical boundaries,” he added.
Pointing out that Sri Aurobindo was a staunch exponent of Indian Nationalism but at the same time he was a true lover of humanity, he recalled the meetings between Sri Aurobindo and Dr Hedgewar before the formation of RSS in 1925.
“In Aurobindo’s five dreams, we can clearly pinpoints the differences between Indian Nationalism and German Nationalism.”
“The love for the country a person is born in is very natural. This is the foundation stone of nationalism. The first of Aurobindo’s five dreams was a revolutionary movement which would create a free and united India. This is the strong statement of Indian Nationalism.”
“His second dream was for the resurgence and liberation of the peoples of Asia and her return to her great role in the progress of human civilisation and his third dream was a world-union forming the outer basis of a fairer, brighter and nobler life for all mankind.”
“The first dream and the third dream are not contradictory but supplimentary to each other. Here lies the difference between these two types of Nationalism.”
“The love for the country we are born in is depicted in the quote of Atharvaveda that is Mātā bhūmih pūtro’ham prithivyāh, the earth is my mother and I am a son of her.”
“This is the basis of nationalism and the first dream of Aurobindo is inspired by it.”
The second guiding principle is another famous quote from Sanskrit literature Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the whole world is a family, he said.
“The third dream of Aurobindo is inspired by it. Hence, the Indian Nationalism is very different from German Nationalism.”
“For Aurobindo the problems of existence are problems of Harmony. The love for one’s own country should not be contradictory to the love of another one’s love for their country,” he added.
Delivering the presidential address, Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram Director R Sanjayan said the teachings of Sri Aurobindo can find answers to all socio, political, environmental, transnational conflicts, and moral issues facing human society driven by high technology.
He also recalled the contribution of Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram founder director ‘Padmavibhushan’ P Parameswaran who was an authority on Sri Aurobindo literature and had published a book on Sri Aurobindo in 1977.
The seminar is being organised by the Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram with the support of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (ICPR), New Delhi.
Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram General Secretary KC Sudhir Babu welcomed the gathering, State Treasurer R Rajeev delivered the vote of thanks, State President Dr CV Jayamani chaired the technical session and Programme Coordinator Dr R Subramony made an introduction to the theme of the seminar.
