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Seventy Years of Secularism: Unpopular Essays on the Unofficial Political Religion of India
After seventy years, there is a powerful new political, intellectual and cultural churning occurring in India. The Nehruvian socialist era is coming to an end in favor of a new India that has a transformative vision of the future but also honors its ancient dharma and spiritual heritage.
We see a number of individuals and groups active on many fronts of a national revival that reconnects to India’ older Independence Movement on an intellectual and spiritual level. Yet this new movement remains in its initial phases in removing ideological and cultural distortions about the country and its ancient civilization. These distortions remain deep seated and institutionally entrenched, particularly in India’s media and academia that have served as neo-colonial advocates.
The shadow of the previous decades of independent India and its propaganda and intolerance under what was called a “secular socialist” rule still weighs heavily over the country.
These regressive forces continue to have powerful support both inside and outside the country, in several state governments notably Kerala, Bihar and West Bengal, and in the judiciary and bureaucracy that are staunchly resistant, with considerable financial resources and their own enduring agendas.
This book is akin to a stocktaking after seventy years of Independent India, which is sorely needed today. The book attempts to explain what India was before secularism and foreign rule, which was a much more enlightened, expansive and prosperous civilisation than people recognise, and what it became afterwards, which was a shadow of alien domination and subversion.
India’s secularism in fact has been colonialism, not in disguise but in a bold new aggressive and intolerant form, propelled not by foreign rule but by the rule of foreign mindsets by Indians themselves. The present volume documents the cultural genocide that the Nehruvian-Marxist alliance wrought on India over the last seventy years, and its great civilisation of many thousands of years, under the name of secularism and socialism.
The next few decades of India should not be dominated by this biased and deceptive idea of secularism but by reclaiming and continuing India’s timeless and grand civilisation and culture, which is pluralistic and open, yet far beyond the confusion and propaganda about secularism that has made the word pejorative.
We see a number of individuals and groups active on many fronts of a national revival that reconnects to India’ older Independence Movement on an intellectual and spiritual level. Yet this new movement remains in its initial phases in removing ideological and cultural distortions about the country and its ancient civilization. These distortions remain deep seated and institutionally entrenched, particularly in India’s media and academia that have served as neo-colonial advocates.
The shadow of the previous decades of independent India and its propaganda and intolerance under what was called a “secular socialist” rule still weighs heavily over the country.
These regressive forces continue to have powerful support both inside and outside the country, in several state governments notably Kerala, Bihar and West Bengal, and in the judiciary and bureaucracy that are staunchly resistant, with considerable financial resources and their own enduring agendas.
This book is akin to a stocktaking after seventy years of Independent India, which is sorely needed today. The book attempts to explain what India was before secularism and foreign rule, which was a much more enlightened, expansive and prosperous civilisation than people recognise, and what it became afterwards, which was a shadow of alien domination and subversion.
India’s secularism in fact has been colonialism, not in disguise but in a bold new aggressive and intolerant form, propelled not by foreign rule but by the rule of foreign mindsets by Indians themselves. The present volume documents the cultural genocide that the Nehruvian-Marxist alliance wrought on India over the last seventy years, and its great civilisation of many thousands of years, under the name of secularism and socialism.
The next few decades of India should not be dominated by this biased and deceptive idea of secularism but by reclaiming and continuing India’s timeless and grand civilisation and culture, which is pluralistic and open, yet far beyond the confusion and propaganda about secularism that has made the word pejorative.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 8, 2018
77 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Sandeep Balakrishna
21 books78 followersSandeep Balakrishna is a veteran writer, author, editor, speaker and independent researcher with about 20 years of writing on Indian history, culture, literature and temples. During this period, he has authored over 900 articles, essays, critiques, academic papers and delivered lectures on numerous topics related to these themes at institutions like the Indian Council of Philosophical Research, IIM Bangalore, Sri Aurobindo Society, Shree Somanath Sanskrit University, Bangalore University and Amrita University, to name a few. He writes in both English and Kannada. His articles, columns and research papers have appeared in prestigious journals, newspapers and magazines in both print and digital format. Sandeep is the author of the bestselling books Tipu Sultan: The Tyrant of Mysore, which has been widely referenced and quoted in mainstream publications and television programmes, and Madurai Sultanate: A Concise History. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed work, 70 Years of Secularism: Unpopular Essays on the Unofficial Political Religion of India. He has also translated the legendary Kannada novelist Dr S.L. Bhyrappa’s critically acclaimed work Aavarana into English, as Aavarana: The Veil, which is now in its twelfth reprint. Sandeep is the founder and editor of The Dharma Dispatch, an online journal dedicated to Indian civilisation, culture and history, and a contributing editor at Prekshaa Journal.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 18, 2018
Probably one of those books I enjoyed reading it. This book is a collection of various essays. It covers various topics from politics to history. I have read all of Sandeep Balakrishna's books. I even follow his blogs. The amount knowledge he have in Indian politics, History and culture is immense. Each essay is thoroughly researched.
The author has shown the real face of secularism. What can be done in the name of secular and the amount of hypocrisy is done. This book is a critique of what this false Indian secularism has done. The book explains what India was before secularism and foreign rule and how anti Hindu politics are played in the name of appeasement. This book is mix of history, our colonial mind, nationalism and the threats our nation possesses as a whole.
Book covers various topics :
Reviving Hindu temples,
Ellora caves,
Saraswati River,
India’s foreign policy,
Atrocity literature to disarm Hindus and Christianize India,
History of demonizing Hinduism,
Agenda driven Literature fest,
Dream of Dr. Abdul Kalam to revive Nalanda University’s prestige was failed by Amartya Sen,
Organization like Amnesty International,
Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The author mentioned How the history books are distorted by leftist. Marxist downplays the history of Guptas, Palas, Senas, Chalukyas and the Vijayanagara empires are reduced to mere footnotes. It is a fact that academic establishment is well beyond repair and efforts at reforms are hampered by bureaucratic and other obstacles. In the last seventy years, there have been really few instances where serious and valuable work has been done, and whatever little has been hasn’t reached the so called masses. The standard modus operandi of the “Marxist historians” seems to be extolling muslim despots and paint Hindu rulers as rebels.
India became place for Naxals, Marxists, Breaking India brigade is brilliantly explained. The role of Nehru, Congress played a major role in destroying the ancient culture and till date continues.
There are more topics than above I mentioned. I just wrote a few here.
I specially love the part where author talks about Upanishad, Kanika Neeti and Vijaynagara Empire. This book gives real idea of our identity. And I wish author also write history books on Vijaynagara empire and Wodeyar dynasty.
Highly recommended.
The author has shown the real face of secularism. What can be done in the name of secular and the amount of hypocrisy is done. This book is a critique of what this false Indian secularism has done. The book explains what India was before secularism and foreign rule and how anti Hindu politics are played in the name of appeasement. This book is mix of history, our colonial mind, nationalism and the threats our nation possesses as a whole.
Book covers various topics :
Reviving Hindu temples,
Ellora caves,
Saraswati River,
India’s foreign policy,
Atrocity literature to disarm Hindus and Christianize India,
History of demonizing Hinduism,
Agenda driven Literature fest,
Dream of Dr. Abdul Kalam to revive Nalanda University’s prestige was failed by Amartya Sen,
Organization like Amnesty International,
Jawaharlal Nehru University.
The author mentioned How the history books are distorted by leftist. Marxist downplays the history of Guptas, Palas, Senas, Chalukyas and the Vijayanagara empires are reduced to mere footnotes. It is a fact that academic establishment is well beyond repair and efforts at reforms are hampered by bureaucratic and other obstacles. In the last seventy years, there have been really few instances where serious and valuable work has been done, and whatever little has been hasn’t reached the so called masses. The standard modus operandi of the “Marxist historians” seems to be extolling muslim despots and paint Hindu rulers as rebels.
India became place for Naxals, Marxists, Breaking India brigade is brilliantly explained. The role of Nehru, Congress played a major role in destroying the ancient culture and till date continues.
There are more topics than above I mentioned. I just wrote a few here.
I specially love the part where author talks about Upanishad, Kanika Neeti and Vijaynagara Empire. This book gives real idea of our identity. And I wish author also write history books on Vijaynagara empire and Wodeyar dynasty.
Highly recommended.
May 11, 2019
This book is a basically a collection of essays. Quite an educating this book is. Love the way Sandeep Balakrishna writes. I have been following him on twitter and Dharma dispatch website. Hope he write more books like this. Hope he write books on Karnataka kingdoms and dynasties. Simply a fan of this author. Its a shame that he is not in mainstream.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
August 30, 2018
Very good collection of essays. Highly recommended. Each essay is thoroughly researched, and written lucidly.
October 28, 2020
Collection of essays on the pseudo-secularism of India, You might find yourself fool after discovering how you are happily fool\ed
witnessing the degeneration of Indians' ethos, values, and thoughts in the face of baseless secular Ideas with hidden agendas force me to explore the root causes of our inferiority and foolishness.
" If you want to have a clear picture of breaking Indian force, Try to read books by " Rajiv Malhotra".
Sandeep Balakrishna have put lots of effort to outline the breaking Indian forces which spread their poisonous web across all platform to break the dharmic construct to project their agenda.
The author has highlighted the significance of temples in preserving art, music, ithihasa(history) and the well-being of participants in society. According to the author after independence putting temple under the government authority who doesn't understand the functioning and principles of temples which indirectly leading to the fall of classical music, art, dance, and Vedic principles having no one to support them. Since temples were the backbones of Vedic culture from ancient times, they preserved the culture despite invasion by Mughals and British for 800 years. After temples come under government temple bodies become spineless without the real power to preserve the culture.
Generally the spirituality of India seen from a western viewpoint where they try to fit into a religion of negation and ascetic. The author has tried to contradict this limited understanding, He has narrated the " Sprit of Connoisseur" in the " Great Vijayanagara dynasty". To support his argument he had given examples of bathing rituals, dressing sense, and their architecture marvel followed in the Vijayanagar ruling era. His argument is to show Indian values should be seen from will and determination to view life rather than abstinence perspective.
In several chapters, the author highlights the narrative of pseudo-secularism and liberalism which applies only for Hindus, And how in the name of secularism we are forgetting the values which kept ancient Indian in the peak of achievement.
And he tried to expose the fake historian narrative to please the colonizers and socialist politicians after independence, How they implanted the inferiority and hate towards the everything about Hindu and on other hand whitewashing all the atrocities committed by Muslims.
witnessing the degeneration of Indians' ethos, values, and thoughts in the face of baseless secular Ideas with hidden agendas force me to explore the root causes of our inferiority and foolishness.
" If you want to have a clear picture of breaking Indian force, Try to read books by " Rajiv Malhotra".
Sandeep Balakrishna have put lots of effort to outline the breaking Indian forces which spread their poisonous web across all platform to break the dharmic construct to project their agenda.
The author has highlighted the significance of temples in preserving art, music, ithihasa(history) and the well-being of participants in society. According to the author after independence putting temple under the government authority who doesn't understand the functioning and principles of temples which indirectly leading to the fall of classical music, art, dance, and Vedic principles having no one to support them. Since temples were the backbones of Vedic culture from ancient times, they preserved the culture despite invasion by Mughals and British for 800 years. After temples come under government temple bodies become spineless without the real power to preserve the culture.
Generally the spirituality of India seen from a western viewpoint where they try to fit into a religion of negation and ascetic. The author has tried to contradict this limited understanding, He has narrated the " Sprit of Connoisseur" in the " Great Vijayanagara dynasty". To support his argument he had given examples of bathing rituals, dressing sense, and their architecture marvel followed in the Vijayanagar ruling era. His argument is to show Indian values should be seen from will and determination to view life rather than abstinence perspective.
In several chapters, the author highlights the narrative of pseudo-secularism and liberalism which applies only for Hindus, And how in the name of secularism we are forgetting the values which kept ancient Indian in the peak of achievement.
And he tried to expose the fake historian narrative to please the colonizers and socialist politicians after independence, How they implanted the inferiority and hate towards the everything about Hindu and on other hand whitewashing all the atrocities committed by Muslims.
March 14, 2018
There has never been a better time to read a book such as this when there is every attempt from forces inimical to the unity, integrity, prosperity, and general amity among the people of, the country and to portray as the current establishment as somehow descended from hell to destroy our country.
Sandeep Balakrishna provides a timely reminder to all of us of how we have arrived at this juncture and what our earlier generations had to endure over the years and why the above mentioned forces are so desperate we won't recover from those multiple wounds inflicted upon us.
Read the book very carefully for, as good as Sandeep Balakrishna's commentary is on the topic at hand through every chapter, you would find umpteen references to top quality reading material all through - the kind you would most likely have not heard of nor are you likely to come across in everyday life.
I have made a list of books I now want to read and I suspect it is good enough to last a few years.
Sandeep Balakrishna provides a timely reminder to all of us of how we have arrived at this juncture and what our earlier generations had to endure over the years and why the above mentioned forces are so desperate we won't recover from those multiple wounds inflicted upon us.
Read the book very carefully for, as good as Sandeep Balakrishna's commentary is on the topic at hand through every chapter, you would find umpteen references to top quality reading material all through - the kind you would most likely have not heard of nor are you likely to come across in everyday life.
I have made a list of books I now want to read and I suspect it is good enough to last a few years.
June 10, 2019
Extremely wonderful collection of essays by Sandeep Balakrishna. The author’s clarity of thought will impress you. Each essay has scope for lot of further research and study. A lot primary resources have been mentioned for readers benefit. I particularly enjoyed the stories from upanishads, window to Vijayanagar empire’s Krishnadevaraya’s time, achievements of Krishnaraja Wodeyar and description of Ellora. Must read for everyone.
December 10, 2018
A very thought-provoking book. The author doesn't pull any punches when he talks about the hypocrisy of certain people forming the eminent club and he is quite scathing in his summation of the methods they use to befuddle the common masses.
August 22, 2022
Indian culture is thus like Atman, the self:timesless and imperishable.
Dr.S Srikanta Shastri
This is my second book by SNB .
His earlier book 10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes: Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour was such an eye opener.
"It's better to have a learned person for an enemy than a fool as a friend"
Above lines holds much truth.
After 1000 year of struggle against turushkas and yavanas rule Bharatha attained her freedom.
But colonial mindset in the garb of nehruvian secularism was predominantly retained to please the masters. Book contains one of the most sincere political essays from the glory of grand Sanatana civilization past Bharata to secularist india that attained her so called freedom. Author explains about a culture called "syncretic Culture" a child that was borne by the toxic union of Gandhian cowardice, nehruvian secularism and communism treachery. Which we still suffer in the form of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, Uprooting of Sanatana values by trying to defame and ban it from perform it and communism which is nothing but abrahamic way of life has penetrated right from education system to evey NOOK and Corner of our society be it whitewashing glorious past,Cultural Academies, Literature Festivals,media and what not. Hindus are not just fighting a civilizational battle they are also fighting psychological war that threatens the future of dharmic hindu state as a nation.
Dr.S Srikanta Shastri
This is my second book by SNB .
His earlier book 10 Lessons from Hindu History in 10 Episodes: Tales of Grit, Heroism and Valour was such an eye opener.
"It's better to have a learned person for an enemy than a fool as a friend"
Above lines holds much truth.
After 1000 year of struggle against turushkas and yavanas rule Bharatha attained her freedom.
But colonial mindset in the garb of nehruvian secularism was predominantly retained to please the masters. Book contains one of the most sincere political essays from the glory of grand Sanatana civilization past Bharata to secularist india that attained her so called freedom. Author explains about a culture called "syncretic Culture" a child that was borne by the toxic union of Gandhian cowardice, nehruvian secularism and communism treachery. Which we still suffer in the form of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb, Uprooting of Sanatana values by trying to defame and ban it from perform it and communism which is nothing but abrahamic way of life has penetrated right from education system to evey NOOK and Corner of our society be it whitewashing glorious past,Cultural Academies, Literature Festivals,media and what not. Hindus are not just fighting a civilizational battle they are also fighting psychological war that threatens the future of dharmic hindu state as a nation.
March 28, 2021
This is an epoch-making work of erudite scholar Sandeep Balakrishna. The book is a dispassionate & critical analysis of the way in which, since independence, the Indian State and it’s official & unofficial arms have been acting against the civilisational values & cultural ethos of India. And more often than not, the same are aiding & abetting the anti-Indian forces knowingly & unwittingly. Succinctly written with ample quotations, references & examples, the book is an absolute delight for anyone who is interested in knowing about contemporary India. Whatever your ideological bent of mind or political inclination is; this work is a must read for you if you still retain the ability to think, are worried about India, a connoisseur of culture or like reading non-fiction. It is a compulsory recommendation from yours truly.
October 17, 2018
A spectacular book. It will give you a comprehensive view from the golden era of King Krishna Deva Ray of Vijayanagara empire to latest decayed state of Bharat. How Bharat became den of naxal, marxsists, anti national is lucidly explained. The role of Nehru, Congress played a major role in destroying the ancient culture and till date continue. We are getting reflection of that in destruction of Sabarimala tradition.
This books is a compilation of essays written by Shri Sandeep Balakrishna.
This books is a compilation of essays written by Shri Sandeep Balakrishna.
August 16, 2020
Fantastic book by Sandeep Balakrishna. Exposes the ugly underbelly of promoting secularism in India in the last 70 years. The author argues that people in India are inherently tolerant and respectful of all religions and traditions but thrusting a western concept of secularism did more damage to India - from abusing and sidelining India perspective historians to giving access to the biased and nefarious NGOs to the general apathy of majority people in India, this book covers it all. Brilliant.
May 3, 2019
The book is a collection of very poignant and powerful essays enunciating what passes of as secularism in Independent India. Be it the abysmal treatment of ancient Hindu heritage or the way foreign policy is twisted only to soothe a certain section of citizenry or the exploitation of faultlines to reap political dividends or to dismantle the Hindu society itself, the author scrutinises the secularism as practiced in India which is nothing but a facade for the third class treatment of Hindus.
January 15, 2019
Superb book a must read
Very well written. Excellent points brought up the author. The chapters on Jadunath Sarkar and Krishnadeva Raya were eye openers
Very well written. Excellent points brought up the author. The chapters on Jadunath Sarkar and Krishnadeva Raya were eye openers
March 13, 2020
Brilliant essays. A must read book.
This book make you think.
This book make you think.
April 30, 2020
Enlightening on my path to seek the truth!
Thanks so much sir! You have showed do me so many ways in my country is being targeted. Really informative!
Thanks so much sir! You have showed do me so many ways in my country is being targeted. Really informative!
July 2, 2020
Brilliant book... A punch in the gut for our seculars
May 12, 2024
This book is quite fascinating and easy to follow. It's a compilation of essays, as the title suggests. I came across a lot of new information that I wasn't aware of before. As always,I felt helplessness while reading the book.It always happens when I am reading books that discuss India and the forces working against it. However, it's important to stay informed and keep reading to avoid ignorance.
One thing I want to highlight is that, just like the author mentioned in the book, I have also encountered this many times.NRI or Indian authors with high ratings from abroad tend to write books that degrade India.It doesn't matter if you are reading a thrilling novel or any other genre, these authors seem determined to sell their books and gain recognition from their foreign masters, even if it means tarnishing the image of their own country. They possess talent, but unfortunately, they choose to use it against India, while ordinary individuals without a voice or platform can only watch helplessly.But then, a ray of hope emerges in the form of authors who are researching and writing books to support the truth and their country. Their hard work will always be valued.
One thing I want to highlight is that, just like the author mentioned in the book, I have also encountered this many times.NRI or Indian authors with high ratings from abroad tend to write books that degrade India.It doesn't matter if you are reading a thrilling novel or any other genre, these authors seem determined to sell their books and gain recognition from their foreign masters, even if it means tarnishing the image of their own country. They possess talent, but unfortunately, they choose to use it against India, while ordinary individuals without a voice or platform can only watch helplessly.But then, a ray of hope emerges in the form of authors who are researching and writing books to support the truth and their country. Their hard work will always be valued.
July 1, 2022
A great that explains how the word Secularism had ruined India spiritually and culturally from the Colonial days to present day to till. It is in the hands of Indians to make sure that India again glorifies and reinstated its glory that it last
May 20, 2021
Eye Opener Read.
Eye opener. Though these subjects kept coming to mind but without facts and figures. We are a nation till we majority are Hindus...
I was told by my Grandfather and I observed and felt that Hindu and Muslims are poles apart. They can't be a neighbor leave alone a nation.
Eye opener. Though these subjects kept coming to mind but without facts and figures. We are a nation till we majority are Hindus...
I was told by my Grandfather and I observed and felt that Hindu and Muslims are poles apart. They can't be a neighbor leave alone a nation.
November 12, 2019
Balakrishna has divided twenty two essays in the book in two sections: India Before Secularism and India Under Secularism.
That secularism as practiced in Independent India has become almost a joke is something that the man in the street has started realizing of late. For most of the “secular” political class, badmouthing the majority religion for the sake of Muslim votes (who are believed to vote en masse) is what secularism is about.
And this is probably nowhere more painfully evident than in the eastern Indian State of West Bengal.
A State that has been partitioned on the basis of religion seventy years ago with nearly two-thirds of the landmass of the undivided Bengal going to form Muslim-majority East Pakistan, leaving a paltry one-third sliver of land to constitute west Bengal. Successive State Governments have worked hard to live up to their definition of secularism.
The result? The demography of West Bengal is under very serious threat. And the apprehension that this demography is undergoing rapid change is quite well-founded. But ask the local politicians about it. They will, predictably, wax eloquent about the composite culture of Bengal (Ek-i brint-e duti kusum: Two flowers on the same stalk – Hindu and Muslim).
Talk of ostrich mentality?
The first section of the book, which deals with the historical perspective, is OK.
But it is in the second section that Balakrishna has excelled himself. Particularly illuminating are the essays:
1) The Rise and Fall of History Research in India
2) New Age Gurus are Distorting Yoga and Chopping off its Hindu Roots
3) Jaipur Literary Festival as the Harbinger of Political Correctness
4) The Unaccountable Communist Republic of Jawaharlal Nehru University
5) Amnesty International as a Representative Sample of National Security Threat.
We have started at last to see through the pettiness and ugliness that masquerade as “secularism”.
Sandeep Balakrishna’s book is a useful contribution to our understanding of the issue.
However, Balakrishna needs a better proof reader!
And what has happened to “fi”? - - nest; - - eld; ful- - lment; de - - nitely - - nds; - -fth; of - - cer; suf - - ce; magni - - cent (culled at random from pages 34 to 39).
Good job, Sandeep. But get a new keyboard! The keys ‘f’ and ‘i’ are not functioning!!
That secularism as practiced in Independent India has become almost a joke is something that the man in the street has started realizing of late. For most of the “secular” political class, badmouthing the majority religion for the sake of Muslim votes (who are believed to vote en masse) is what secularism is about.
And this is probably nowhere more painfully evident than in the eastern Indian State of West Bengal.
A State that has been partitioned on the basis of religion seventy years ago with nearly two-thirds of the landmass of the undivided Bengal going to form Muslim-majority East Pakistan, leaving a paltry one-third sliver of land to constitute west Bengal. Successive State Governments have worked hard to live up to their definition of secularism.
The result? The demography of West Bengal is under very serious threat. And the apprehension that this demography is undergoing rapid change is quite well-founded. But ask the local politicians about it. They will, predictably, wax eloquent about the composite culture of Bengal (Ek-i brint-e duti kusum: Two flowers on the same stalk – Hindu and Muslim).
Talk of ostrich mentality?
The first section of the book, which deals with the historical perspective, is OK.
But it is in the second section that Balakrishna has excelled himself. Particularly illuminating are the essays:
1) The Rise and Fall of History Research in India
2) New Age Gurus are Distorting Yoga and Chopping off its Hindu Roots
3) Jaipur Literary Festival as the Harbinger of Political Correctness
4) The Unaccountable Communist Republic of Jawaharlal Nehru University
5) Amnesty International as a Representative Sample of National Security Threat.
We have started at last to see through the pettiness and ugliness that masquerade as “secularism”.
Sandeep Balakrishna’s book is a useful contribution to our understanding of the issue.
However, Balakrishna needs a better proof reader!
And what has happened to “fi”? - - nest; - - eld; ful- - lment; de - - nitely - - nds; - -fth; of - - cer; suf - - ce; magni - - cent (culled at random from pages 34 to 39).
Good job, Sandeep. But get a new keyboard! The keys ‘f’ and ‘i’ are not functioning!!
February 25, 2021
The forward was excellent but the essays were bright in spots but generally bland and insipid. I felt a lack of in depth analysis or even good conclusions in most essays. For most part it read like a news paper, reporting a summary of events. May be each topic discussed could form a book by itself! Somehow, at the end of it I felt justice has not been done to the topic of secularism as a creed born out of Nehruvian policies, communist and socialist ideologies. The foreword by David Frawely was more interesting and gripping than the essays. Even the prologue was very crisp and stunning. The episodes from Mahabharata were appropriate for the situation. The way to interpret our vast treasure house of scriptures and other works has been well explained and clearly brings out why translations and interpretations by westerners/ western educated Indians cannot bring out the essence. Over all the saving grace is that the essays can be read in any order and one can choose and pick.
January 29, 2022
The book contains a number of essays about post-independent India. It touches on how Indian history is taught and the influence of left-leaning historians on the modern history syllabus. Some essays are on the role of Amnesty International and other NGOs. The main thrust of the book is to show how the Hindu culture has been victimized after the Independence. I think too much of the book was concerned about Hinduism and no mention was made why after 70 years, India's economy was in such a bad shape compared to China, South Korea, and other Asian Countries.
Read
July 31, 2024What a brilliant hard-hitting book. Sandeep Balakrishna lays out in excruciating detail the crimes against the Dharmic consciousness that is Bharat. It flows like a river meandering through the history of one of the greatest civilisations on earth that has been systematically deracinated, moronised and fed a diet of self-hate and pretentious posturing. Worth reading.
September 8, 2023
A serious and must read
It's a serious read.....the author have tried his best to wake us up from our deep slumber !!! Each essay has its own importance and shakes us to the core....it's a must read !!!
It's a serious read.....the author have tried his best to wake us up from our deep slumber !!! Each essay has its own importance and shakes us to the core....it's a must read !!!
January 18, 2024
Must information for every Indian
The sequence of narration is great, talks about medieval Indian cultural achievements and the current distortion of history but giving many hard faacts and examples. Great read.
The sequence of narration is great, talks about medieval Indian cultural achievements and the current distortion of history but giving many hard faacts and examples. Great read.
November 21, 2021
Essential, no nonsense read to understand The past. A superb perspective changer, almost purification for the garbage taught in school
May 13, 2023
Here is the review - FUCKING AWESOME
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews