LIBERATING INDIAN MIND -19
LULLABY HISTORY

“Do you know what is being taught, these days, at the senior secondary level in the name of history?”
“I Have been teaching in the university and I do not know what exactly is being caught there today, with the stick and staff wielders changing everything they do not understand with unprecedented haste. How can I know what is being taught at the senior secondary level in the name of history? But, how did you become so curious, about the history books prescribed at the secondary level?”
I did not answer straightway, “The book is called Themes of History.”
“But why… “
He was going to repeat his question. I ignored him, “Do you know what the themes of history mean? “
I knew he was getting irritated with every new query, but I just intended it. “ It means, teaching history is although important, but you shall not be allowed to know your history. You shall be told grandmothers lullaby and fairy tales told at the bedtime of a child, to give him a pleasant sleep. I mean, the education of history has now become a bottle of sleeping pills to soothe irritated souls.”
“That is what we are complaining. Illiterate as they are, these RSS people are out to ruin our educational system, to facilitate the advent of Nazism and dictatorial regime and throw us centuries back by by the time we realise the mistake.”
“I agree with you but with a minor correction. This book was prepared during the penultimate sway of the Congress government. It may or may not have been planned to perpetuate dictatorial functioning but democratic set was destroyed from within no doubt. It was leading precisely to autocracy no doubt.”
“In that case, it should have been revised during the past four years.”
“ The problem with the new set up is, that it is full of vigor and good intentions, but is hollow of head. It does not care to improve intellectually as at the very outset it had chosen a military role for itself, of course, a defensive role at that. Both, soldiers and bureaucrats, are required to keep clearly off political education involvements, and as such it had decided never to participate in politics. Once it decided to taste the forbidden fruit of political power, it should have made Panchatantra and Arthashastra compulsory readings for its cadre and even this limited exposure would have made it the most competent rival in Indian politics, much earlier, even without love for erudition. As of now, it knows neither its enemies well, nor understands its cultural priorities. In has no historian, no creative artist, no thinker or ideologue to handle cultural and educational problems. It is evident from choices made so far by it to head culture and HRD ministries, higher educational centres and research bodies, besides its emphasis on producing skilled slaves for abroad. We are in a piquant situation in which on the one side we have the gangs of vociferous and erudite miscreants, who care more for their loaf than their freedom and conscience and on the other simpletons who do not know which weapon should they carry and how should they use it in the changed circumstance, nor have ability to select the best available from the lot neither inimical nor friendly to it. It suffers from persecution mania, not to believe or tolerate anyone not belonging to its larger family as it calls it.”
He was joyous to see me so severely judging the BJP. “don’t you forget that there is some truth in the comparison of Hindu parivar or Hindu Brotherhood with Islamic Brotherhood.”
“Don’t digress into Realpolitik which has become a cesspool of the ugliest and dirtiest maneuvers. We have parties ready to make a hell of our country which throughout rated superior to the paradise, as and when they are out of power. Despite all their limitations these people have never indulged into dirty game detrimental to the country to gain or remain in power. Once getting another chance these power hungry guys may do what they planned but failed to execute in their previous turn to prove their comparison valid.”
“But you were also critical of their organization. Weren’t you?”
“I am examining the status of the educational system and cultural spine of the country and am covering larger issues. I was just going to admit that these simpletons in power today do eulogise personal experience, on the line of person-to-person contact in their propaganda mill, even in education. Books and researches may wait till they clean every head of everything learnt from written, or for that matter, even of oral traditions. They can not even perceive the danger posed and harm already cause by irrationally and unscientifically prepared textbooks to avail political mileage by deliberate destruction of our culture, suppression of factual information and destruction of cultural understanding by you people. They could not visualise even the remedial measures?”
He got a bit charged but I took him head on, “Do you know what history is?”
He showed his displeasure but did not speak.
“History is chronologically ordered account of events and deeds that affect our society so that we may have an idea as to when and how and why they took place and what were the results that followed. In the words of Buddha imasmim sati idam hoti, imasmim asati idam na hoti. imass uppaada idam upajjati, imass nirodhe idam nirujjhati. (‘इति इमस्मिं सति इदं होति, इमस्मिं असति इदं न होति, इमस्सुप्पादा इदं उप्पज्‍जति, इमस्स निरोधा इदं निरुज्झति), In case this happens that will occur, If this is sown this will crop, if this is checked from taking place,this will be warded off.”
“Don’t bore me. I know what history is.”
“Then you must have known that this lullaby-anthology is not history, because it knowingly escapes catalytic events and chapters in our history.”
“I haven’t seen the book yaar. I told you right at the beginning.”
“Sorry! I should have not expected a censure from you. But do you know why it was left?”
“Hadd hai. How could I know the reason.” He could not conceal his displeasure.
“It is a long story with criminal intents. But looking at your mood, it is wiser to defer it for tomorrow.”