Here's what Sadhguru said about Gyanvapi Masjid dispute, language row
INDIAN spiritual leader Sadhguru has said that there’s no dispute that can’t be resolved.
By Eastern EyeMay 23, 2022
In an interview with India Today, the Isha Foundation founder has urged India's Hindu and Muslim communities to sit together work out which two-three sites are iconic and should settle all disputes.
"The two communities should sit together and work out which two-three sites are iconic and settle it. Instead of discussing one site at a time and keeping the controversy and unnecessary enmity between communities alive," he pointed out.
"There has to be some give and take - that's the way forward for the nation. We should not be thinking in terms of the Hindu community and Muslim community."
When asked about the ongoing Gyanvapi mosque controversy, Sadhguru said that he is not 'up to date' regarding the issue.
He added that India can be a significant force in the world if we do things right as the country is at a critical juncture now.
"We should not squander that away by making everything a big dispute. I beseech people and news agencies not to make this (mandir-masjid row) controversial but to move towards solutions," the spiritual leader said.
"There's no dispute that can't be settled. There is pain in people's hearts so we should sit down and talk instead of arguing endlessly. People in active politics should be kept out of this because it should not become political mileage for anyone."
While highlighting the fact that all languages have equal place in India, Sadhguru appealed not to change the fundamental ethos of the nation just because a certain language has more speakers.
He added: "South Indian languages have more literature than Hindi, actually. India is a unique nation not formed on the sameness of anything. We are a kaleidoscope - that's the beauty of the country.
"When we formed linguistic states, it was a natural promise that all languages will be respected. Please keep it that way."
Trip to Gulf region
The 64-year-old guru is currently in the gulf region where he addressed the gatherings in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE.
He praised the UAE's efforts to add organic content to the sand and make it soil.
"Not even a single nation in the world has a minimum three per cent organic content in its soil. The highest organic content that you find in the world is in Northern Europe, which is 1.48 per cent which is less than the minimum requirement. Southern Europe has 1.1 to 1.2 per cent. The US has 1.25 to 1.3 per cent. India has 0.68 per cent. Africa as a continent has 0.3 per cent, which is disastrous. So, this is where we are,” he said while addressing a huge gathering in Dubai world trade center.
The event was part of his Save Soil Journey on a BMW K1600 GT motorcycle that started in London on March 21. As part of the solo trip he will cover 30,000km in 100 days, visiting 27 nations.
In Saudi Arabia, The Muslim World League, has pledged its support for the global movement to Save Soil from extinction when Sadhguru met with its Secretary General Dr. Al Esa.
AN ASIAN writer has explained how his new book makes Britain’s imperial past “accessible, engaging and thought-provoking” for a younger audience.
Award-winning author and journalist Sathnam Sanghera’s new book, Journeys of Empire, explores empire through 10 journeys he described as being “extraordinary”. Sanghera said his book, published last month by Puffin UK, is “a way of helping children understand how Britain’s biggest story still shapes the world today.”
“We’re not taught this history very well,” he told Eastern Eye.
“The empire is morally complex – sometimes we were good, sometimes bad – so, how do you even begin talking about it? It’s also contentious. There are millions of us whose families were colonised, and millions whose families were the colonisers.”
Teachers cannot teach what they themselves were never taught, Sanghera pointed out.
“There are multiple layers to why British people are so bad at talking about this history. It touches on race, misogyny and geopolitics. It’s easier just not to talk about it.”
And , the cover of his book
Following the success of his bestselling children’s title Stolen History, Sanghera’s this latest work continues Sanghera’s mission to write for readers aged nine and above. With a focus on human experiences, Sanghera said he wanted show that history is not just a list of dates or conquests – it’s a tapestry of stories that connect people.
Born in Wolverhampton to Punjabi immigrant parents, he began school unable to speak English. Later he graduated with first-class honours in English language and literature from Christ’s College, Cambridge.
He has since built a career as a writer and journalist.
His memoir, The Boy with the Topknot, and his novel, Marriage Material, were both shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. Empireland, Sanghera’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy, was longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non- Fiction, named a Book of the Year at the 2022 National Book Awards, and inspired the Channel 4 documentary series Empire State of Mind.
His first children’s book, Stolen History, introduced young readers to the complex and often overlooked realities of empire. With Journeys of Empire, Sanghera aims to go further. “When I finally learned about the British empire, it changed how I saw myself, how I saw Britain, and how I saw India,” he said.
“It seemed obvious that you’d want to give this gift to young people – because your 40s is a bit late to be learning all this.”
Sanghera said the 10 journeys in the book take readers across continents and centuries, revealing both the ambition and the brutality of empire.
“The British empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and a large portion of its population. It was seven times the size of the Roman empire,” he said.
Aiming to ensure diversity in both perspective and geography, Sanghera said he chose stories from various countries and different phases of the 400-year history.
Alongside India and Mahatma Gandhi, readers will learn about Guyana’s indentured labour system, Gertrude Bell’s adventures in Iraq, and the British invasion of Tibet led by Francis Younghusband.
“I wanted to highlight areas often left out of mainstream narratives,” the writer said. The stories are written with an accessible and honest tone, and with humour.
“Violence is a tricky area,” Sanghera said. “You can’t go into graphic detail, but you also shouldn’t whitewash it. The violence and racism of colonialism were intrinsic. “I tried to strike a balance - acknowledging the brutality without overwhelming young readers.”
Writing for children isn’t much different from writing for adults, Sanghera said.
“You still need engaging stories and to hold attention. The main thing is to avoid big words that might put them off.”
He pointed out how storytelling can counter the allure of digital screens.
“Kids are addicted to screens, and reading rates are falling globally. That’s disastrous for mental health, intellectual development, and politics,” he said.
“When you get news from screens, you’re in an echo chamber – you’re not being challenged or taught to think in a nuanced way.”
Sanghera’s hope is that stories of Journeys of Empire – from pirates to princes and explorers to rebels – will draw in young readers to a world of curiosity and reflection. He said, “The British empire is a complex story. Even the ‘good guys’ had flaws. That’s what makes it worth understanding.”
At the heart of his book is a message about complexity and contradiction. “The empire involved slavery and the abolition of slavery. It caused environmental destruction and inspired environmentalism. We live in a world that struggles with nuance, but that’s what makes us human,” Sanghera said.
“My hope is that readers – kids and adults – learn that opposite things can be true at the same time.”
After six years of writing about empire, Sanghera said he’s ready for a change. His next book will focus on the late pop star George Michael, due out in June next year.
“I thought George Michael would be a nice break from empire. But then I learned that his father came from Cyprus - which was under British rule. The reason he left Cyprus was because of the British. So, even George Michael’s story connects back to empire. You can’t escape it, wherever you go.”
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