Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi declared on Friday that the central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is actively working to restore India's ancient cultural heritage and philosophical wisdom, infusing them with new vitality for the modern era.
Linking Rivers and Civilizations
Governor Ravi made these remarks while inaugurating the two-day Indus Saraswati Civilization Conference at Kongunadu Arts and Science College in Coimbatore. Addressing the gathering, he drew a parallel between the fate of rivers and the civilizations they nurtured. "Globally, civilizations originated on the banks of rivers. When rivers perished, those civilizations also disappeared," he stated.
He elaborated that the ancient civilization of Bharat similarly flourished along the banks of the Saraswati river. "Over time, as the Saraswati river dried up, the civilization also faded away. But its influence remains throughout the country," Ravi asserted, highlighting the enduring legacy.
Cultural Threads in Tamil Literature and a Modern Crisis
The Governor emphasized the pan-Indian presence of epic narratives, noting that ideas from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are found in various literary works across the nation. He provided a specific example from Tamil heritage, pointing out that classical Sangam literature like Agananuru, Purananuru, Silappathikaram, and Manimegalai also contain incidents and themes from the Ramayana.
Shifting to a pressing contemporary issue, Ravi expressed deep concern over rising stress and suicide rates. He cited grim statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), revealing that approximately 20,000 people commit suicide annually in Tamil Nadu alone.
Revival as a Solution
In this critical context, Governor Ravi proposed a cultural and philosophical solution. "We must promote the sublime cultures and philosophies of Bharat that enhance human life and emphasize the oneness of all living beings in this world," he urged.
He directly credited the current national leadership for this revivalist mission. "The government led by Prime Minister Modi at the Centre is reviving our lost culture and hidden philosophies, giving them new energy along with the nation's development," Ravi concluded. The conference, a joint initiative by the Centre for South Indian Studies and Kongunadu Arts and Science College, saw participation from nearly 500 students.
