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The Role of Periodicals on Indian Renaissance and National Integration - Pre and Post Independence Scenariotc "The Role of Periodicals on Indian Renaissance and National Integration -Pre and Post Independence Scenario"

V. S. Rama Devi
Former Governor of Himachal Pradesh & Karnataka

Renaissance was the name popularly understood as the revolution in literature and art in Europe during the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries.  However, Renaissance was not primarily an artistic and literary change and it actually began with an intellectual and moral ideal.  It was felt that only the political institution or social organization, which gives maximum actual freedom to an individual, can be treated as meritorious. What was this actual freedom sought by an individual?  It was the freedom which gradually removed all the factors � physical � social, psychological that stood as walls between the  individual and the unfolding of his rational, moral and creative potentialities.  Man wanted a society where his relationship among the members of the society and the forces controlling the society was such that he, as an individual enjoyed the maximum measure of freedom. If it were not happening in a society, which proclaimed itself to be a free and democratic one, then the ideals of social literature and progress were considered to be mere political slogans � untrue and faithless.  Perhaps we are passing through that phase even after independence.

Today we are far away from inner directed society.  We live today in an outward directed society governed by the forces of technology and mechanics.  The world has come to us in our drawing room through the sky, whereas it has enlarged our perspective, it has narrowed down our vision of reality. Today the individual is at the mercy of the technological push-buttons.  He may soon be reduced to a Robot. Time is to put a brake here and to ask for himself the question that was asked by the Upanishadkars ‘What shall I do? Where shall I go?�

Is it not the time to think of a new symbol for the second renaissance or ongoing renaissance which may again show that man is supreme enjoying the actual freedom which was thought of by our forefathers?  Is it not the time to ponder over the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi who emphasized upon morality and humanity?

In human history, education has provided a continuous and a basis for development of human society.  Through development of attitudes, values and  capabilities, both of knowledge and skill, education provides strength and resilience to people to respond to social situation and enables them to contribute to social development.  Thus development of human resources is the main function of education.  Development refers to qualitative improvement of mind.

We have entered this millennium which is promising quantum jumps with added new dimensions and in the context of inter play of international forces impeding mutual struggle against wardness and shadows of the past.  Here we are at the cross roads requiring introspection for better strategy against motivated manoevours of the few against the genuine needs and interests of the poor and the under developed.

While research for organized social patterns will always be a healthy academic exercise, the focus has to be on human considerations and values.  Human behavior and action have to be linked with morality as they are passing through an era of continuous modernization and indiginisation but we have to take a look at our value system.  Our country has its strong historical and cultural values which fluctuate with every turn of century but, our vision of the nation must be built on the strength of our moral fibre, human values, global peace and the mobility of human soul as envisaged in our teachings and sayings of our ancient seers, poets and enlightened souls rather than sheer economic prosperity. In a restructured social order new changes will take place but, the new society should not abdicate traditional human relations and respect for home and hearth.

I am sure the journals like �Triveni� would be a source of inspiration to those who try to evolve such a social order.

Guest of Honour address delivered at the Seminar organised by Triveni Foundation, Hyderabad on 3.3.2004 on the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.