Re: India, Aryabhatta, Gandhi - Non-achievers

Andromedan wrote:
> Indians have always insisted that they are the oldest of cultures and
civilizations inhabiting this
> planet.
>
> They always beat their drums about having the first of scientists and
original thinkers.
>
> Well, if that is really so, why is India in the present sorry state
of affairs? A culture or
> civilization really so ancient would have been at the top of things
by now.

There is no culture, however superior it may be, to keep its
glorification always on the top. Cultures rise to the top of the world
and they fall for reasons of their own. For a moment forget about
Indian culture. Let us take examples from recent history. Roman empire
lasted for about 1000 years, British empire only did last for 400 years
and now American empire is on the decline which would barely last for
about 70 years.

Now coming back to Indian culture. As far as Indian culture is
concerned, it has really survived so many cultural, economic and
militarily invasions despite its weaknesses. This in itself is a great
achievement. Sure India is poor today and there is no leader****p in the
field of science and technology, but, you cannot look at this sorry
status of India in isolation. You have to go back to Indian history and
see how Indian economy was destroyed by invaders. The history also
tells us that the decline of India was because of its thinkers failing
to follow Hindu ethics as mentioned in the Vedas and they resorted to
narrow means of greed and fatalism. Hindu culture is like a human body
which gets sick and fights back to win over the desease. India needed
this kind of shock therapy so that it can look at its past glory and
move on with renewed strength. This is where India stands today.