There are millions of books available to us for the discovery of the globe and human civilization, and the world is progressing quickly toward previously unheard-of breakthroughs in all fields and dimensions.
Every book we read can transport us to a time before humans had constraints or boundaries of any kind. As soon as humans appeared on the scene, things changed.Even though we don't have the time or space to read about prior events and developments, modern breakthroughs are drastic and terrible.Leave this aside and discuss India. India is a democratic nation, and there is no denying its diversity or other historical significance. However, democracy is somewhat off course because we are still subject to limitations and other exaggerated problems.India was liberated from oppression and tyranny by numerous wars, but we are still not free.
When we read books and acquire information, we ask ourselves, "Why aren't we free?" Why do people still begging on the streets? Why are our society's disadvantaged groups given less weight? Why aren't our freedom fighters respected? Why did we invent the idea of casteism? Why is unemployment on the rise?When we study research-based literature and read books on history, we find the answers to these questions.
Reading your past is difficult, yet nothing is impossible. The book ‘Positive Nationalism’ published by Shri Gopal Rai, a current Cabinet Minister in Delhi, gives us a thorough understanding of how to develop and spread positive nationalism.The definition of positive nationalism and methods for putting away ideas that could turn us toward negative nationalism are presented at the beginning of the book. Additionally, the author cites, “To make India a developed, resourceful, and happy nation, positive nationalism is the need of the hour. Some readers might think that nationalism is nationalism, what is negative or positive about it? This must be pondered over with a calm mind. A person can think about both the positive and negative aspects. Similarly, there is some work which is both positive and negative in their roles. The resultant effects of that work are both positive and negative.
In a similar fashion, nationalism can be both negative and positive.”There is a significant difference between negative and positive nationalism; those that promote violence, bloodshed, hatred, etc., are the proponents of the former.Mahatma Gandhi never prioritized negative nationalism; instead, he used positive nationalism to drive the British out of India.We learn about various topics and elements as we read this book. Indians must alter their views, for example. When we successfully shift our ideals, we become aware of the changes. If we don't, we encourage the spread of negative nationalism.
The author then discusses the worsening circumstances facing women in India. Women are not given priority or space, as we have witnessed for ages. To perform household duties, women are kept at home. The author argues that we should favour equality and that women should have the same rights to speech, education, and other things because when we repress women's rights, we repress the entire nation.We must alter if change is necessary.
Another area of emphasis is secularism, and the author laments the fact that without it, no change can be made and things would stay the same. The writer cites, “The truth is that a country can be strong if all its countrymen are tied in one harmonious thread. When arguments, hatred and, differences are born, then no nation, state, society or family can remain strong. For taking the nation towards strength, at the individual level, the divisive tendencies have to be contained. A country cannot be strong unless these tendencies, be at the level of society, intelligentsia, state or country are curtailed. One way to stop this division is accepting the ‘Constitution of India’. Our Constitution says, even though your beliefs and your thinking may be different, yet you are all human beings and all human beings are equal.”
The book's discussion of India's growing unemployment rate was one of its key topics. We observe a variety of occurrences taking place across the nation as a result of our youth not finding employment despite investing a significant amount of time and money in obtaining degrees.The author provides us with the remedy as well as speaking frankly about the enormous rise in unemployment. After reading the book, we journey along several routes that lead to various locations using accurate mapping and carefully chosen ways for navigating crocodile-filled rivers without even harming the reptiles.Other topics have been brought up, and in order to succeed we must uphold the constitution and its principles. As we read the book, the author also offers all of the remedies to the issues.
The enormous contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, ShaheedBhagat Singh, and Dr. Ambedkar are further discussed in the book along with caste reservation and social justice. The author further cites, “The youth are considered the messengers of change, because they make sacrifices. Every person is attached to his life and it is not easy to give up those attachments. But youth is willing to give up attachments. Elders can also do provided they reduce the attachments. For bringing change ‘sacrifice’ is necessary. Youth have fewer attachments and are more willing to sacrifice. With age the tendency to give decreases and the tendency to take increases that is why the whole world thinks of youth as the messengers of change.
Today negative energy has entered our society, our religion and the minds of people in our country. To change that, we have to have the courage to awaken our inner thinking. Swami Vivekananda asked the youth to ignite their inner awakening. Bhagat Singh asked them to destroy the rotten system. Igniting the inner spirit will create tremendous energy which will end the rotten system. Nature has given you all the capabilities of nation-building. I repeatedly say, the number of rivers that flow in India hardly flow in any other country.” We need to create a cohesive country where we can use positive nationalism to achieve all of our objectives. You should read this book.
*Author is Central Organizer and Independent Research scholar
