S
Shruti Dasgupta
Guest
At the ongoing G-20 Meet in New Delhi, India is flexing its soft power using Nalanda and the Konark Wheel. In the arena of geopolitics, soft power is often more persuasive than military or economic force. It is the art of influencing and attracting others through culture, values, and ideas. India’s myriad displays of deep-rooted history, cultural richness, and emerging global presence wield its resplendent soft power.
PC Hindustan Times
In the 5th century AD, the ancient University of Nalanda graced the verdant plains of Bihar. This globally acknowledged, first-of-its-kind International University stood as an epicenter of learning. Scholars and seekers from across Asia sought admissions to this august institute. However, Nalanda wasn’t just an institution; it was a crucible of wisdom that radiated far beyond its walls. During the 12th century, the Turkic Muslim invaders led by Bakhtiyar Khilji, sacked the university. History states that Bakhtiyar Khilji’s forces set fire to the complex and its invaluable libraries. The blaze caused by the burning of thousands of irreplaceable manuscripts could be seen from miles away for several months.
PC Prabhat Khabar
The remains of this architectural marvel echo the grandeur of India’s cultural and intellectual legacy. The ruins of Nalanda still resound with the teachings and knowledge that were once disseminated within its hallowed halls. The echoes of scholars, like Nagarjuna, Aryabhata, and Dharmapala, from Nalanda reverberate through history. Thus, Nalanda represents India’s power of critical thinking and intellectual heritage. It represents the bedrock of India’s cultural soft power today.
PC Viator
Nestled on the eastern coast of India, the Konark Sun Temple stands as a testament to Indian ingenuity and artistic brilliance. The Temple, erected in the 13th century in Odisha, serves as an architectural marvel that embodies the precision engineering and aesthetic finesse of Indians.
PC m.rediff.com
However, the Konark Wheel isn’t just an architectural detail. It is a metaphor for India’s intricate and timeless cultural identity. The description of a chariot wheel is the simplest way to define this Sun Dial. The wheel’s 24 spokes correspond to the 24 hours of the day. The Konark Wheel symbolically represents the Hindu belief in the cosmic order of creation and destruction. The wheel represents the cycle of life from birth to death to rebirth. It inspires all to seek moksha and enlightenment. The placement of the Konark Wheel during the G-20 meeting is an acknowledgment of India’s grandiose past and unlimited potential.
PC The Indian Express
As the fifth-largest global economy, India has rightfully secured its place in the G-20 since 2008. This global forum is to enable economic cooperation among like-minded visionary leaders. Thus, the current G-20 meeting in New Delhi provides India with a global platform to project its soft power. Bharat that is India hosts the G-20 summit while shining the spotlight on its vibrant culture and rich traditions.
Through the medium of G-20, India is showcasing its commitment to global challenges like climate change, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation. The snapshots of India’s millennia-old heritage are helping the dignitaries to connect with the glory of Bharat’s past.
The richness of culture, a heritage of intellectual prowess, and a commitment to its roots are India’s burgeoning soft power. The presence of these symbols shows the world that Bharat is connected with cultural and ancient wisdom, while its burgeoning economy presents a kaleidoscope of opportunities to the right sort of investors. Thus, while the opposition is shouting about using Hindu symbols to represent India, they must be made to understand that these symbols represent Bharat and its rich heritage as a soft power.
The Konark Wheel and the Nalanda help build cross-cultural understanding and encourage investment and tourism. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in galvanizing international cooperation on critical issues by highlighting ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ Hindu ideology. They mark the transformation of the British-slave-India into the Mighty Bharat that is proud of its heritage and culture.
The post Nalanda, The Konark Wheel, and the G-20: India’s Resplendent Soft Power appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
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Nalanda: An Emblem of India’s Cultural and Intellectual Heritage
PC Hindustan Times
In the 5th century AD, the ancient University of Nalanda graced the verdant plains of Bihar. This globally acknowledged, first-of-its-kind International University stood as an epicenter of learning. Scholars and seekers from across Asia sought admissions to this august institute. However, Nalanda wasn’t just an institution; it was a crucible of wisdom that radiated far beyond its walls. During the 12th century, the Turkic Muslim invaders led by Bakhtiyar Khilji, sacked the university. History states that Bakhtiyar Khilji’s forces set fire to the complex and its invaluable libraries. The blaze caused by the burning of thousands of irreplaceable manuscripts could be seen from miles away for several months.
PC Prabhat Khabar
The remains of this architectural marvel echo the grandeur of India’s cultural and intellectual legacy. The ruins of Nalanda still resound with the teachings and knowledge that were once disseminated within its hallowed halls. The echoes of scholars, like Nagarjuna, Aryabhata, and Dharmapala, from Nalanda reverberate through history. Thus, Nalanda represents India’s power of critical thinking and intellectual heritage. It represents the bedrock of India’s cultural soft power today.
The Konark Wheel: A Testament to India’s Technological and Artistic Prowess
PC Viator
Nestled on the eastern coast of India, the Konark Sun Temple stands as a testament to Indian ingenuity and artistic brilliance. The Temple, erected in the 13th century in Odisha, serves as an architectural marvel that embodies the precision engineering and aesthetic finesse of Indians.
PC m.rediff.com
However, the Konark Wheel isn’t just an architectural detail. It is a metaphor for India’s intricate and timeless cultural identity. The description of a chariot wheel is the simplest way to define this Sun Dial. The wheel’s 24 spokes correspond to the 24 hours of the day. The Konark Wheel symbolically represents the Hindu belief in the cosmic order of creation and destruction. The wheel represents the cycle of life from birth to death to rebirth. It inspires all to seek moksha and enlightenment. The placement of the Konark Wheel during the G-20 meeting is an acknowledgment of India’s grandiose past and unlimited potential.
The G-20: A Global Stage for India’s Soft Power Projection
PC The Indian Express
As the fifth-largest global economy, India has rightfully secured its place in the G-20 since 2008. This global forum is to enable economic cooperation among like-minded visionary leaders. Thus, the current G-20 meeting in New Delhi provides India with a global platform to project its soft power. Bharat that is India hosts the G-20 summit while shining the spotlight on its vibrant culture and rich traditions.
Through the medium of G-20, India is showcasing its commitment to global challenges like climate change, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation. The snapshots of India’s millennia-old heritage are helping the dignitaries to connect with the glory of Bharat’s past.
The richness of culture, a heritage of intellectual prowess, and a commitment to its roots are India’s burgeoning soft power. The presence of these symbols shows the world that Bharat is connected with cultural and ancient wisdom, while its burgeoning economy presents a kaleidoscope of opportunities to the right sort of investors. Thus, while the opposition is shouting about using Hindu symbols to represent India, they must be made to understand that these symbols represent Bharat and its rich heritage as a soft power.
The Konark Wheel and the Nalanda help build cross-cultural understanding and encourage investment and tourism. Moreover, they play a pivotal role in galvanizing international cooperation on critical issues by highlighting ‘Vasudeva Kutumbakam’ Hindu ideology. They mark the transformation of the British-slave-India into the Mighty Bharat that is proud of its heritage and culture.
The post Nalanda, The Konark Wheel, and the G-20: India’s Resplendent Soft Power appeared first on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Continue reading...