'Authentic' history of modern Bharat needs to be written: India Prez Kalam

[Guest guest]

Srinivasan Kalyanaraman <kalyan97@g...> wrote:

 

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=263349&sid=NAT

'Authentic' history of modern India needs to be written: Kalam

Kochi, Dec 18: Noting that historians can make vital contributions to

national security and economic development, President A P J Abdul

Kalam

today said that an "authentic, comprehensive" history of India from

1857

needs to be written.

 

"An authentic comprehensive history of India is yet to be written in

such a

manner and style that enables citizens, analysts and policy makers at

all

levels to understand the rhythms of social and economic change,

locally and

globally," the president said inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee

celebrations

of the Kerala History Association here.

 

Historians of the 21st century face a great challenge while writing

Indian

history from domination to freedom: political and economic. This

research

and analysis recorded in history books of India will be the document

of

freedom, which should inspire all nations to protect their

territorial and

economic integrity, he said.

 

This would help in implementing strategies for social, technological

and

economic change by empowering people with knowledge to think

strategically

and create their future, he said.

 

India was a "theatre" of invasions from many nations. "I ask myself

why my

nation succumbed to this phenomenon? Why my nation allowed many

nations to

have territorial and other ambitions? Why Indian history very rarely

talked

about India's invasion of other nations? These questions need to be

answered."

 

"There may be many reasons, but it is essential that the knowledge of

history should strengthen the nation by a unified action", the

President

said.

 

The time has come now to think of a new breed of historians, who can

make

the past meet the present and create the future. With value added

approach

to study and use of history, India can develop capabilities as a

nation to

think strategically and create a glorious future, Kalam said.

 

"Let us dispassionately treat our history after 1857, the

commencement of

the war of independence, as our baseline. Let us preserve data and

start

writing accurately after 1857, when the nation in an integrated way

challenged the alien rule", he said.

 

He urged the association to partner academic, research, government and

industrial institutions in this endeavour.

 

The President said that some questions were raised a few years ago on

why

history should be taught as a subject in educational institutions.

 

This was an "extremely shortsighted" view, he said likening history

to a

"great teacher". There is a lot to learn from the "pluses and

minuses" of

the historical past. It was a fact of life which cannot be wished

away,

Kalam said.

 

Historial research can compel a society to analyse itself carefully,

construct coherent arguments, present those arguments persuasively

and draw

intelligent conclusions, enabling a future to be created, free from

the

past.

 

Kalam said historical writing must inspire the younger generation into

enlightened action to realise their full potential.

 

Bureau Report