Based in Pondicherry. Director, BhāratShakti, Sri Aurobindo Society. Editor of the Society's monthly online journal, Renaissance (renaissance.aurosociety.org). Ph.D. in Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
250 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.This study explores the at... more 250 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.This study explores the attitudes, expectations, and involvement of Asian Indian parents in their children's education and schools. Semi-structured interviews with parents, children, teachers and principals, and classroom observations were used to collect qualitative data. The analysis involved looking for emerging themes and patterns that were not only common to the four participating Asian Indian families, but also unique to each of them. The study portrays the Asian Indian cultural model of schooling, which is shaped by the group's cultural values and orientation toward education in general and also by parents' individual patterns of incorporation into the dominant culture. Findings suggest that most parents in the study generally identify themselves as Indians, though they are fully aware of the bi-cultural identities of their children. The diversity in the cultural adaptation patterns of different families cautions the educators against stereotyping their Asian Indian students. While most Asian Indian children try to "fit in" both the cultures that they belong to, they experience a discontinuity in their transition from homes to schools where the opportunities for expression of their cultural identities are very limited. The overall history and background of Asian Indians as an immigrant group, and the unique background and experiences of different families based on their social, economic, and educational status in the society are all instrumental factors in shaping their attitudes toward and expectations for their children's education. Asian Indian parents in this study have high expectations of their children for educational attainment, academic achievement, and career choices. All parents closely monitor their children's performance in school, and some of them perceive higher academic achievement as an "edge" over competitors in the professional world. Most parents maintain regular contact with their children's teachers, though children's education is the primary responsibility of mothers. Parental involvement mainly includes reinforcing the learning at home and attending parent-teacher conferences, though some mothers are actively involved in children's schools. The school personnel recognize the support of Asian Indian parents for various school activities, and also confirm a visible lack of involvement of these parents in the school PTA.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD
Have you ever wondered why is it that since ages, people suffering from various kinds of chronic ... more Have you ever wondered why is it that since ages, people suffering from various kinds of chronic ailments – physical or mental – have been advised by healers to spend time in Nature? Perhaps there is something truly special which one absorbs in the company of Nature; perhaps it is the simple joy of being and becoming. One of the many things Mother Nature teaches us is how to be rooted in one’s true inner nature, svabhāva, and blossom simply for the delight of the Divine – with no pretence or performance of any kind for the sake of another, or to live up to one’s ego-constructed self-image.
Love and relationships are the root of all human life as lived in our familial and societal conte... more Love and relationships are the root of all human life as lived in our familial and societal contexts. But ordinarily, most people do not take the trouble to examine and understand the nature of these two things. Life situations generally have a way of making people experience several different aspects of human love and relationships, in the process creating a variety of emotions in them, ranging all the way from pleasure to pain, from passion to indifference, from happiness to sadness, from calmness to rage, and so on. Such ups and downs cause much turmoil in people’s lives – outer and inner, and also lead to strained and troubled relationships. By becoming deeply aware of the nature of human love and becoming more conscious of how this human love expresses through different relationships in our lives we can prepare ourselves more effectively to deal with the changing life situations which are inevitable. By becoming conscious observers of the various emotions – not all of which may necessarily be grounded in love – that fill up the space of our human relationships we can also avoid going through unnecessary turmoil in our outer lives and needless disturbances in our inner lives.
Generally in present times, much of what young people learn about love and relationships is through popular culture – fiction, films, television and social media. Most of the times such unfiltered exposure to a variety of influences, most of which are not necessarily educative but rather meant to stimulate the lower nature of the individual – instincts, passion, and sensations, can end up creating more confusing and muddled understanding of these things.
It is important, therefore, to examine the nature of human love and relationships using a deeper psycho-spiritual view of human nature, given to us by the great yogis, sages and seers who have not only explored the depths of human nature but have also raised themselves to the highest heights of consciousness. No human experience is insignificant in their wider view of life and existence. And that’s why we are able to find relevant insights on almost all aspects of life in their writings and teachings. Through this paper I hope to highlight some of these insights as applicable to the topics of love and human relationships.
Several aspects of NEP 2020 reflect the vision of National Education as given by Sri Aurobindo. T... more Several aspects of NEP 2020 reflect the vision of National Education as given by Sri Aurobindo. This becomes especially clear when we read the policy’s emphasis on holistic education, greater decentralization in decision-making, institutional autonomy, greater curricular choice, rethinking student assessment, revitalizing teacher education and a few more areas. For this article, our focus is limited to the topic of education’s role in inculcating in the learners a healthy awareness of India’s cultural past and knowledge traditions.
This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial ... more This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial phases of adjustment and acculturation at a multicultural elementary school in USA. Constructed using data collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews with children, parents, and school personnel, these stories reveal important linkages between families and schools, and their respective roles in foreign-born children’s acculturation into the host culture. The pressures to maintain Indian identity, language, food habits, and traditions are all important aspects of these children’s experiences. The school context shapes their educational experiences and adjustment. This study also touches upon some important policy issues for schools in relation to multicultural programs, ESL instruction, native language instruction, and support services for their increasingly diverse student and parent communities. One such issue pertains to the recognition of student’s ethnic and cul...
The issue of bias in qualitative research is an important one, and demands special attention and ... more The issue of bias in qualitative research is an important one, and demands special attention and discussion in any qualitative research methods class. This reflective paper, written in the tradition of teacher-research, presents an analysis of how my students and I, working in an online classroom environment, learn together about the role researcher self and subjectivity play in designing and conducting qualitative research. While researcher bias and subjectivity are commonly understood as inevitable and important by most qualitative researchers, the beginners in qualitative research classes are generally not very comfortable with the idea of research that is not value-neutral. A systematic and reflective analysis of some of the teaching and learning activities, and of the online exchanges in these classes suggests that issues that require more critical thinking and reflection are dealt better using the power of written word. When students write down how their understanding of an is...
In order to truly globalize the field of adult education, a de-centering of Euro-centric framewor... more In order to truly globalize the field of adult education, a de-centering of Euro-centric frameworks is needed as we simultaneously integrate non-Western knowledge systems in curricular offerings and theoretical development. This paper explores selected aspects of the philosophy and discipline of Integral Yoga, and presents an example of a curriculum innovation. The literature in adult education reflects many attempts to broaden Western rationalist, positivist ways of knowing. Such perspectives include feminist interpretations, queer theory, transformative learning, and spirituality, all of which value a move toward greater empathy with the other. Less represented are examples of how learners can move to a more expansive view of culturally different perspectives on self (and by extension not-self). While there are newly emerging bodies of literature in adult education that bring our attention to a spiritual view of the world, this discourse may often be seen as an “add-on” to existin...
This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial ... more This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial phases of adjustment and acculturation at a multicultural elementary school in USA. Constructed using data collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews with children, parents, and school personnel, these stories reveal important linkages between families and schools, and their respective roles in foreign-born children’s acculturation into the host culture. The pressures to maintain Indian identity, language, food habits, and traditions are all important aspects of these children’s experiences. The school context shapes their educational experiences and adjustment. This study also touches upon some important policy issues for schools in relation to multicultural programs, ESL instruction, native language instruction, and support services for their increasingly diverse student and parent communities. One such issue pertains to the recognition of student’s ethnic and cul...
Sri Aurobindo's Action - A Journal of Indian Resurgence, 2021
I was blessed to have the opportunity to curate/edit a special issue on the theme – ‘Education fo... more I was blessed to have the opportunity to curate/edit a special issue on the theme – ‘Education for India’s Resurgence‘ – for Sri Aurobindo’s Action. This double issue on Education is first of the 12 special issues SAA is going to release during the year Aug 2021 to Aug 2022, to celebrate the 150th birthday of Sri Aurobindo and 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
Ashrams, as spiritual retreats are a magnet for visitors seeking for the spirit of India. Certain... more Ashrams, as spiritual retreats are a magnet for visitors seeking for the spirit of India. Certainly, the practice of tirtha-yatra or pilgrimage has been an element of Indian social life since ancient times and nowadays remains the mainstay of the domestic tourism industry. There is little doubt that India also continues to attract large numbers of travelers from various parts of the world seeking to experience spiritual India. Visiting
“The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future.” (Sri Aur... more “The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future.” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 85)
Indian cultural vision of human life and existence is the deepest, highest and greatest ever conceived by the human mind. Its attempt to mould the collective life of the community according to its ideals is the noblest attempt ever made in the history of human civilisation. The spiritual vision of our sages and seers has still a living relevance for the future evolution of humanity. But it is important to rediscover this vision and give it a new form suited to the conditions of the modern age.
Most scholars of India agree that women in ancient Indian society enjoyed much higher place of respect and reverence than what is generally seen today. Various historical, cultural, social factors led to a degeneration over time. This essay presents some selected pieces of evidence which speak of the high and revered status given to women in the earlier times of Indian civilisational march. The focus here is limited to the place of woman as a daughter.
A big part of the essay is devoted to the value our ancients gave to the education of girls and women; this not only helps us learn about the upbringing of daughters but also presents a good picture of the overall acceptance by the society of women’s participation in various spheres of activity. While most of the evidence included here is from scriptural and literary sources, some examples are also taken from epigraphic, stories, legends and other such evidence available from the collective memory of the Indian people – none of which can be ignored because this is how living realities have generally been documented among all ancient people.
The evidence included here primarily highlights the positive and inspiring aspects of the prevalent cultural and social ideals, norms and practices. Plenty of negative instances can also be just as easily compiled to show the exact opposite of the points presented here, because given the diversity of texts and even larger number of textual interpretations available there is bound to be much intra-textual or inter-textual contradiction. But the present compilation is guided by the ideal that “a culture must be judged, first by its essential spirit, then by its best accomplishment and, lastly, by its power of survival, renovation and adaptation to new phases of the permanent needs of the race” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 120).
By including selected examples from a few of the ancient Indian texts which speak of the ideal rightful status of women that the ancient Indian visionaries and thinkers set before us, this compilation does not suggest that such high ideal was always perfectly translated into practice, or that the contemporary lived realities perfectly reflected the highest vision of our sages and thinkers. No ideal is ever fully realised in the ground reality, which is inherently dynamic and highly complex. Also, the purpose is not to merely glorify the past and somehow suggest that the past needs to be revived in some way, which is not even possible or desirable.
This essay, however, definitely aspires to encourage an honest student of Indian society and culture to explore if the spirit of the highest ideals given by our ancient visionaries still carries some value and significance for our times, and whether these ideals can show us a way to address some of the challenges and problems in our contemporary society with regard to the status of girls and women. By including several shining examples of India’s daughters from the times past, the essay also aims to inspire the readers, especially girls and women, so that they would not only become familiar with this glorious ancestry which they have inherited but would also be moved to grow in the likeness of these remarkable women.
The need of the times is to sincerely contemplate on the highest ideals which must be pursued for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness. Because as Sri Aurobindo reminds us, “the ideal creates the means of attaining the ideal, if it is itself true and rooted in the destiny of the race.” (CWSA, Vol. 7, pp. 1086-7). Finally, the real intent behind presenting such a compilation can be best expressed with these words of Sri Aurobindo: “Our sense of the greatness of our past must not be made a fatally hypnotising lure to inertia; it should be rather an inspiration to renewed and greater achievement.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 87)
A civilisation as ancient as Indian has well-developed perspectives on key questions of human exi... more A civilisation as ancient as Indian has well-developed perspectives on key questions of human existence, human development, aims of human life, culture, identity, womanhood, relation between individual and society, etc. which not only shape and contextualise women’s awareness of themselves and their experiences, but also facilitate a keener and deeper perception of the world around. In a post-graduate course titled ‘Rethinking Feminism from Indian Perspectives’ which I designed and taught at Pondicherry Central University in 2019, my students and I explored several such aspects as they play out in women’s experiences in the Indian cultural context. A rich variety of learning materials comprising of scholarly articles, stories of women from Indian itihāsas, scriptural and literary evidence from Indian tradition, and films concerning women in ancient times as well as contemporary realities and concerns of women were used for our exploration. Also included were Sri Aurobindo’s and the Mother’s keen insights on several aspects related to the topic of women and society, and particularly the societal evolutionary processes, which helped us explore the evolving nature of ideals necessary for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the eternal Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness.
One such set of study materials included selections from a book titled ‘About Woman’ – a collection of essays written by Nolini Kanta Gupta, one of the earliest associates and close disciples of Sri Aurobindo. The book ‘About Woman’ is an English translation by Satadal of the Bengali essays, written between 1932 and 1949 and compiled under the title ‘Nārir Katha’.
In this essay I explore the themes of Equality and Freedom, particularly with regard to the context of education and marriage – the two issues of much significance in our present times. This inquiry primarily revolves around a few selected insights from the book ‘About Woman’ by Nolini Kanta Gupta which are contextualised in the deeper vision of Indian cultural perspectives as well as contemporary contexts. This helps reveal the profounder dimension of the values of Equality and Freedom, when seen from a yogi’s vision. Relevant passages from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother further deepen and enrich this exploration.
If we have to be reborn as a society, as a nation, if we have to raise ourselves to work toward t... more If we have to be reborn as a society, as a nation, if we have to raise ourselves to work toward the true mission of India, to fulfill India’s true destiny, we must grow in Shakti.
What can help Indians, and especially the youth of India grow in Shakti? What are some of the factors holding us back? What is necessary to infuse our knowledge with courage? What needs to be done to strengthen our society from within?
These are some questions that must be reflected upon in all honesty and sincerity, without the façade of political correctness or ideological prejudice. A clear look at these is important, especially for the times we live in, the times when, according to some voices, a new India is being reborn.
The following conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna explores some of these and other related questions. The conversation is grounded in the present-day socio-cultural-political realities of India, and doesn’t shy away from accepting the contemporary truth ‘as is’. But the purpose is not to stay content with ‘what is’, but rather to figure out ‘what can be’.
This is what makes this conversation relevant for a multi-faceted Indian renaissance that we aspire.
250 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.This study explores the at... more 250 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998.This study explores the attitudes, expectations, and involvement of Asian Indian parents in their children's education and schools. Semi-structured interviews with parents, children, teachers and principals, and classroom observations were used to collect qualitative data. The analysis involved looking for emerging themes and patterns that were not only common to the four participating Asian Indian families, but also unique to each of them. The study portrays the Asian Indian cultural model of schooling, which is shaped by the group's cultural values and orientation toward education in general and also by parents' individual patterns of incorporation into the dominant culture. Findings suggest that most parents in the study generally identify themselves as Indians, though they are fully aware of the bi-cultural identities of their children. The diversity in the cultural adaptation patterns of different families cautions the educators against stereotyping their Asian Indian students. While most Asian Indian children try to "fit in" both the cultures that they belong to, they experience a discontinuity in their transition from homes to schools where the opportunities for expression of their cultural identities are very limited. The overall history and background of Asian Indians as an immigrant group, and the unique background and experiences of different families based on their social, economic, and educational status in the society are all instrumental factors in shaping their attitudes toward and expectations for their children's education. Asian Indian parents in this study have high expectations of their children for educational attainment, academic achievement, and career choices. All parents closely monitor their children's performance in school, and some of them perceive higher academic achievement as an "edge" over competitors in the professional world. Most parents maintain regular contact with their children's teachers, though children's education is the primary responsibility of mothers. Parental involvement mainly includes reinforcing the learning at home and attending parent-teacher conferences, though some mothers are actively involved in children's schools. The school personnel recognize the support of Asian Indian parents for various school activities, and also confirm a visible lack of involvement of these parents in the school PTA.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD
Have you ever wondered why is it that since ages, people suffering from various kinds of chronic ... more Have you ever wondered why is it that since ages, people suffering from various kinds of chronic ailments – physical or mental – have been advised by healers to spend time in Nature? Perhaps there is something truly special which one absorbs in the company of Nature; perhaps it is the simple joy of being and becoming. One of the many things Mother Nature teaches us is how to be rooted in one’s true inner nature, svabhāva, and blossom simply for the delight of the Divine – with no pretence or performance of any kind for the sake of another, or to live up to one’s ego-constructed self-image.
Love and relationships are the root of all human life as lived in our familial and societal conte... more Love and relationships are the root of all human life as lived in our familial and societal contexts. But ordinarily, most people do not take the trouble to examine and understand the nature of these two things. Life situations generally have a way of making people experience several different aspects of human love and relationships, in the process creating a variety of emotions in them, ranging all the way from pleasure to pain, from passion to indifference, from happiness to sadness, from calmness to rage, and so on. Such ups and downs cause much turmoil in people’s lives – outer and inner, and also lead to strained and troubled relationships. By becoming deeply aware of the nature of human love and becoming more conscious of how this human love expresses through different relationships in our lives we can prepare ourselves more effectively to deal with the changing life situations which are inevitable. By becoming conscious observers of the various emotions – not all of which may necessarily be grounded in love – that fill up the space of our human relationships we can also avoid going through unnecessary turmoil in our outer lives and needless disturbances in our inner lives.
Generally in present times, much of what young people learn about love and relationships is through popular culture – fiction, films, television and social media. Most of the times such unfiltered exposure to a variety of influences, most of which are not necessarily educative but rather meant to stimulate the lower nature of the individual – instincts, passion, and sensations, can end up creating more confusing and muddled understanding of these things.
It is important, therefore, to examine the nature of human love and relationships using a deeper psycho-spiritual view of human nature, given to us by the great yogis, sages and seers who have not only explored the depths of human nature but have also raised themselves to the highest heights of consciousness. No human experience is insignificant in their wider view of life and existence. And that’s why we are able to find relevant insights on almost all aspects of life in their writings and teachings. Through this paper I hope to highlight some of these insights as applicable to the topics of love and human relationships.
Several aspects of NEP 2020 reflect the vision of National Education as given by Sri Aurobindo. T... more Several aspects of NEP 2020 reflect the vision of National Education as given by Sri Aurobindo. This becomes especially clear when we read the policy’s emphasis on holistic education, greater decentralization in decision-making, institutional autonomy, greater curricular choice, rethinking student assessment, revitalizing teacher education and a few more areas. For this article, our focus is limited to the topic of education’s role in inculcating in the learners a healthy awareness of India’s cultural past and knowledge traditions.
This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial ... more This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial phases of adjustment and acculturation at a multicultural elementary school in USA. Constructed using data collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews with children, parents, and school personnel, these stories reveal important linkages between families and schools, and their respective roles in foreign-born children’s acculturation into the host culture. The pressures to maintain Indian identity, language, food habits, and traditions are all important aspects of these children’s experiences. The school context shapes their educational experiences and adjustment. This study also touches upon some important policy issues for schools in relation to multicultural programs, ESL instruction, native language instruction, and support services for their increasingly diverse student and parent communities. One such issue pertains to the recognition of student’s ethnic and cul...
The issue of bias in qualitative research is an important one, and demands special attention and ... more The issue of bias in qualitative research is an important one, and demands special attention and discussion in any qualitative research methods class. This reflective paper, written in the tradition of teacher-research, presents an analysis of how my students and I, working in an online classroom environment, learn together about the role researcher self and subjectivity play in designing and conducting qualitative research. While researcher bias and subjectivity are commonly understood as inevitable and important by most qualitative researchers, the beginners in qualitative research classes are generally not very comfortable with the idea of research that is not value-neutral. A systematic and reflective analysis of some of the teaching and learning activities, and of the online exchanges in these classes suggests that issues that require more critical thinking and reflection are dealt better using the power of written word. When students write down how their understanding of an is...
In order to truly globalize the field of adult education, a de-centering of Euro-centric framewor... more In order to truly globalize the field of adult education, a de-centering of Euro-centric frameworks is needed as we simultaneously integrate non-Western knowledge systems in curricular offerings and theoretical development. This paper explores selected aspects of the philosophy and discipline of Integral Yoga, and presents an example of a curriculum innovation. The literature in adult education reflects many attempts to broaden Western rationalist, positivist ways of knowing. Such perspectives include feminist interpretations, queer theory, transformative learning, and spirituality, all of which value a move toward greater empathy with the other. Less represented are examples of how learners can move to a more expansive view of culturally different perspectives on self (and by extension not-self). While there are newly emerging bodies of literature in adult education that bring our attention to a spiritual view of the world, this discourse may often be seen as an “add-on” to existin...
This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial ... more This qualitative study tells the stories of three Asian Indian children dealing with the initial phases of adjustment and acculturation at a multicultural elementary school in USA. Constructed using data collected through classroom observations and in-depth interviews with children, parents, and school personnel, these stories reveal important linkages between families and schools, and their respective roles in foreign-born children’s acculturation into the host culture. The pressures to maintain Indian identity, language, food habits, and traditions are all important aspects of these children’s experiences. The school context shapes their educational experiences and adjustment. This study also touches upon some important policy issues for schools in relation to multicultural programs, ESL instruction, native language instruction, and support services for their increasingly diverse student and parent communities. One such issue pertains to the recognition of student’s ethnic and cul...
Sri Aurobindo's Action - A Journal of Indian Resurgence, 2021
I was blessed to have the opportunity to curate/edit a special issue on the theme – ‘Education fo... more I was blessed to have the opportunity to curate/edit a special issue on the theme – ‘Education for India’s Resurgence‘ – for Sri Aurobindo’s Action. This double issue on Education is first of the 12 special issues SAA is going to release during the year Aug 2021 to Aug 2022, to celebrate the 150th birthday of Sri Aurobindo and 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
Ashrams, as spiritual retreats are a magnet for visitors seeking for the spirit of India. Certain... more Ashrams, as spiritual retreats are a magnet for visitors seeking for the spirit of India. Certainly, the practice of tirtha-yatra or pilgrimage has been an element of Indian social life since ancient times and nowadays remains the mainstay of the domestic tourism industry. There is little doubt that India also continues to attract large numbers of travelers from various parts of the world seeking to experience spiritual India. Visiting
“The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future.” (Sri Aur... more “The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future.” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 85)
Indian cultural vision of human life and existence is the deepest, highest and greatest ever conceived by the human mind. Its attempt to mould the collective life of the community according to its ideals is the noblest attempt ever made in the history of human civilisation. The spiritual vision of our sages and seers has still a living relevance for the future evolution of humanity. But it is important to rediscover this vision and give it a new form suited to the conditions of the modern age.
Most scholars of India agree that women in ancient Indian society enjoyed much higher place of respect and reverence than what is generally seen today. Various historical, cultural, social factors led to a degeneration over time. This essay presents some selected pieces of evidence which speak of the high and revered status given to women in the earlier times of Indian civilisational march. The focus here is limited to the place of woman as a daughter.
A big part of the essay is devoted to the value our ancients gave to the education of girls and women; this not only helps us learn about the upbringing of daughters but also presents a good picture of the overall acceptance by the society of women’s participation in various spheres of activity. While most of the evidence included here is from scriptural and literary sources, some examples are also taken from epigraphic, stories, legends and other such evidence available from the collective memory of the Indian people – none of which can be ignored because this is how living realities have generally been documented among all ancient people.
The evidence included here primarily highlights the positive and inspiring aspects of the prevalent cultural and social ideals, norms and practices. Plenty of negative instances can also be just as easily compiled to show the exact opposite of the points presented here, because given the diversity of texts and even larger number of textual interpretations available there is bound to be much intra-textual or inter-textual contradiction. But the present compilation is guided by the ideal that “a culture must be judged, first by its essential spirit, then by its best accomplishment and, lastly, by its power of survival, renovation and adaptation to new phases of the permanent needs of the race” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 120).
By including selected examples from a few of the ancient Indian texts which speak of the ideal rightful status of women that the ancient Indian visionaries and thinkers set before us, this compilation does not suggest that such high ideal was always perfectly translated into practice, or that the contemporary lived realities perfectly reflected the highest vision of our sages and thinkers. No ideal is ever fully realised in the ground reality, which is inherently dynamic and highly complex. Also, the purpose is not to merely glorify the past and somehow suggest that the past needs to be revived in some way, which is not even possible or desirable.
This essay, however, definitely aspires to encourage an honest student of Indian society and culture to explore if the spirit of the highest ideals given by our ancient visionaries still carries some value and significance for our times, and whether these ideals can show us a way to address some of the challenges and problems in our contemporary society with regard to the status of girls and women. By including several shining examples of India’s daughters from the times past, the essay also aims to inspire the readers, especially girls and women, so that they would not only become familiar with this glorious ancestry which they have inherited but would also be moved to grow in the likeness of these remarkable women.
The need of the times is to sincerely contemplate on the highest ideals which must be pursued for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness. Because as Sri Aurobindo reminds us, “the ideal creates the means of attaining the ideal, if it is itself true and rooted in the destiny of the race.” (CWSA, Vol. 7, pp. 1086-7). Finally, the real intent behind presenting such a compilation can be best expressed with these words of Sri Aurobindo: “Our sense of the greatness of our past must not be made a fatally hypnotising lure to inertia; it should be rather an inspiration to renewed and greater achievement.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 87)
A civilisation as ancient as Indian has well-developed perspectives on key questions of human exi... more A civilisation as ancient as Indian has well-developed perspectives on key questions of human existence, human development, aims of human life, culture, identity, womanhood, relation between individual and society, etc. which not only shape and contextualise women’s awareness of themselves and their experiences, but also facilitate a keener and deeper perception of the world around. In a post-graduate course titled ‘Rethinking Feminism from Indian Perspectives’ which I designed and taught at Pondicherry Central University in 2019, my students and I explored several such aspects as they play out in women’s experiences in the Indian cultural context. A rich variety of learning materials comprising of scholarly articles, stories of women from Indian itihāsas, scriptural and literary evidence from Indian tradition, and films concerning women in ancient times as well as contemporary realities and concerns of women were used for our exploration. Also included were Sri Aurobindo’s and the Mother’s keen insights on several aspects related to the topic of women and society, and particularly the societal evolutionary processes, which helped us explore the evolving nature of ideals necessary for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the eternal Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness.
One such set of study materials included selections from a book titled ‘About Woman’ – a collection of essays written by Nolini Kanta Gupta, one of the earliest associates and close disciples of Sri Aurobindo. The book ‘About Woman’ is an English translation by Satadal of the Bengali essays, written between 1932 and 1949 and compiled under the title ‘Nārir Katha’.
In this essay I explore the themes of Equality and Freedom, particularly with regard to the context of education and marriage – the two issues of much significance in our present times. This inquiry primarily revolves around a few selected insights from the book ‘About Woman’ by Nolini Kanta Gupta which are contextualised in the deeper vision of Indian cultural perspectives as well as contemporary contexts. This helps reveal the profounder dimension of the values of Equality and Freedom, when seen from a yogi’s vision. Relevant passages from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother further deepen and enrich this exploration.
If we have to be reborn as a society, as a nation, if we have to raise ourselves to work toward t... more If we have to be reborn as a society, as a nation, if we have to raise ourselves to work toward the true mission of India, to fulfill India’s true destiny, we must grow in Shakti.
What can help Indians, and especially the youth of India grow in Shakti? What are some of the factors holding us back? What is necessary to infuse our knowledge with courage? What needs to be done to strengthen our society from within?
These are some questions that must be reflected upon in all honesty and sincerity, without the façade of political correctness or ideological prejudice. A clear look at these is important, especially for the times we live in, the times when, according to some voices, a new India is being reborn.
The following conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna explores some of these and other related questions. The conversation is grounded in the present-day socio-cultural-political realities of India, and doesn’t shy away from accepting the contemporary truth ‘as is’. But the purpose is not to stay content with ‘what is’, but rather to figure out ‘what can be’.
This is what makes this conversation relevant for a multi-faceted Indian renaissance that we aspire.
This talk was part of a 2-day webinar organised by Department of Sociology at Pondicherry Univers... more This talk was part of a 2-day webinar organised by Department of Sociology at Pondicherry University, October 22-23, 2020
This study examined the unique patterns of integration into U.S. culture of four Asian Indian fam... more This study examined the unique patterns of integration into U.S. culture of four Asian Indian families, noting how these patterns shaped the identities and experiences of children within the families. Families from a local Asian Indian cultural organization agreed to participate. Parents and children completed open-ended, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis indicated that the four families were very diverse in their cultural adaptation patterns, which challenges educators' stereotypes of Asian Indian students. Most parents agreed that providing exposure to Indian culture at home was important in helping children get in touch with their Indian selves,though some parents were more enthusiastic than others about ensuring that their children learned their religious customs and cultural traditions. Parents differed in their views about the importance of maintaining or learning the native language. Most of the children tried to fit into both cultures, experiencing discontinuity when they left home to enter school,where there were few opportunities to express their cultural and ethnic identity. Some parents implied that teachers and principals needed to understand the beliefs and value systems of newer immigrants, noting the lack of awareness of most Americans about Asian Indians and India. (Contains 17 references.)
This paper highlights an example of bringing a specific cross-cultural awareness into our mainstr... more This paper highlights an example of bringing a specific cross-cultural awareness into our mainstream discussions about online pedagogy. It speaks of a way in which I tried to make my students see a meaning of silence that may be quite different from how silence is understood in more mainstream thinking in the field of learning and teaching. Silence is not only about a feeling of being silenced or having no voice. Silence can also give us profound moments of introspection and learning. While it is certainly easier for us to assess student learning by listening to their online voices, how do we listen to their silences? How do we document Quiet Knowing?
This paper presents a reflective look at the journeys taken by three teacher-researchers in pursu... more This paper presents a reflective look at the journeys taken by three teacher-researchers in pursuit of a simple, solitary goal – to be a better teacher. These 3 teacher-researchers were pursuing their Master’s degrees when they undertook their journeys of reflecting on their practice, critiquing their actions and contexts as and when needed, and constructing ‘teacher autobiographies’ from which they learned, others involved in the process learned, and hopefully other teachers and teacher-researchers will also learn.
Self-reflection, personal narrative, learning by doing are all valid and credible ways to construct knowledge that is personally meaningful and professionally rewarding for teacher-researchers. Emphasis on self has been a noticeable aspect of many teacher-researcher projects. This paper based on a panel presentation led by me briefly speaks of three such teacher-research projects where studying the self, as in personal practice, was the primary goal of the inquiry.
On November 1, Dr. Beloo Mehra, Sri Aurobindo Society was invited to participate and give a talk ... more On November 1, Dr. Beloo Mehra, Sri Aurobindo Society was invited to participate and give a talk at the Book Release function organised by Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA), Puducherry Regional Center. The occasion was the official launch of Dr. Ananda Reddy’s new book titled ‘Sri Aurobindo: The Grand Synthesis’ -- published by IGNCA as a homage to Sri Aurobindo during his 150th birth anniversary year.
The event was organised at Unity Pavilion in Auroville with Dr. Gopal Jayaraman, Director, IGNCA, Puducherry as the official host in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Center of Advanced Research (SACAR).
In her talk, Dr. Mehra pointed out that the book is written with an important objective – to be the first entry point for those who have an aspiration to start reading Sri Aurobindo’s massive works carefully and patiently but may get intimidated by the sheer volume and size of some of these books. The book ‘Sri Aurobindo: The Grand Synthesis’ can give the right light and guidance to such an aspirant to begin the journey.
“Menstruation Across Cultures: A Historical Perspective” by Nithin Sridhar is an important book f... more “Menstruation Across Cultures: A Historical Perspective” by Nithin Sridhar is an important book for several reasons, but I will mention only a few in this review. Instead of giving a chapter-by-chapter look at the key ideas from the book, my purpose and focus in this review is somewhat different. I wish to point out why I think this book must be read by all those interested in gender studies, and especially Indian women.
While speaking of some important points covered in the book, my main purpose is to highlight what I think are some of the main contributions of this book, in two key areas: a) menstruation related discourse in India, and b) connection between culturally grounded understanding of menstruation and a woman’s sense of identity and self-worth.
New Race: A Journal of Integral and Future Studies, Volume I (1), pp. 54-59., 2015
First, a disclaimer. This is not a book review in the actual sense. It is rather a close look at ... more First, a disclaimer. This is not a book review in the actual sense. It is rather a close look at a book, a very special book in the annals of Indian literature in English language, Rajmohan's Wife by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. While the plot and the main characters of the novel are quite appealing in their own way, what is most fascinating about this novel is its history. This is the first Indian novel written in English, published in 1864, and the first and the only novel ever written by Bankim in English. This piece of work was considered a 'false start' by some commentators and critics of Bankim's work and has often been ignored by those interested in Indian writing in English. After Rajmohan's Wife, Bankim never wrote any fiction in English and wrote only in his native language, Bangla. The rest, as they say, is history, of the gigantic literary contribution made by this great son of Mother India.
Maria Wirth’s book ‘Thank You India: A German Woman’s Journey to the Wisdom of Yoga” is an invoca... more Maria Wirth’s book ‘Thank You India: A German Woman’s Journey to the Wisdom of Yoga” is an invocation of the eternal wisdom of Indian spiritual traditions while also bringing a fresh perspective on some of the key social-cultural challenges impeding a true Indian renaissance.
In this talk I summarise the 6 essays by Sri Aurobindo, highlighting the key points from each. It... more In this talk I summarise the 6 essays by Sri Aurobindo, highlighting the key points from each. It is important to note that while the essays were written originally to address the points raised by a ‘foreign’ Rationalistic Critic, one who was not Indian, today the Rationalistic Critic need not be a ‘foreign’ one, because essentially it is about a certain view of reality and existence – materialistic or spiritual – which determines how one looks at Indian culture and its unique aspects.
I also remind of the integral vision with which Sri Aurobindo while elaborating the deeply spiritual nature of Indian culture brings to light several aspects which are not merely rational but supra-rational.
This talk was given at the invitation of Center for Indian Progress, Maharaja Sayajirao Universit... more This talk was given at the invitation of Center for Indian Progress, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, August 23, 2020
This interactive session was given at the Resurgent India workshop for youth of India, organised ... more This interactive session was given at the Resurgent India workshop for youth of India, organised by Sri Aurobindo's Action, Puducherry, October 5-7, 2019.
In this session we were guided by the powerful truth expressed by Sri Aurobindo in these words: “The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future. A continual expansion of what stood behind past endeavour and capacity is the one abiding justification of a living culture.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 85)
We briefly explored the great ideals of our past, those which gave India a distinct identity and a stamp, ideals which made India shine in her own brilliant Light, – materially, vitally, intellectually and most importantly, spiritually – ideals which express India’s soul. But what is the soul of India? We asked this question. And we also asked an even more fundamental question – what is India? A mere piece of land but something more?
The greatest minds and souls, throughout the world and since time immemorial, have been seeking the Truth of Existence, the Ultimate Reality. Glimpses of this Truth, have manifested in various forms and expressions in many places in the world, but India is the only place where the memory of the Truth has been preserved for millennia. It is preserved in the consciousness of the place, in the mind of its race, in the memory of its people, in the very cells of its physical being.
This past of India is what makes India unique, and this is what gives India a unique mission for the evolutionary march of humanity, a uniquely destined role in the world. We briefly explored this idea because our future – as individuals, as a nation, as world and humanity – is intimately connected with this.
We also briefly revisited Sri Aurobindo’s definition of culture as the expression of a consciousness of life which formulates itself in three aspects: a) a side of thought, of ideal, of upward will and the soul’s aspiration, b) a side of creative self-expression and appreciative aesthesis, intelligence and imagination, and c) a side of practical and outward formulation. We came up with a few relevant examples for each of these aspects. And we also discussed some ways to inculcate love for Indian culture as reflected in these aspects.
Some salient facets of what is generally spoken of as 21st century cultural scene in India were discussed. We examined if the outer picture of today’s India gives us some clues to India’s future destiny. We came up with a short list of key challenges facing today’s India, and explored what guidance we can find from Sri Aurobindo to address those.
And finally, this session also gave us an opportunity to ask this question – What should be my work as an Indian, and how best I can contribute to India’s future, to the evolutionary march of India to her future – future that is more brilliantly shining than her past, that is more firmly centred in her true essence, in her soul.
Summary of points covered at a talk given on March 25, 2019 at School of Education, Pondicherry U... more Summary of points covered at a talk given on March 25, 2019 at School of Education, Pondicherry University.
The Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) of Pondicherry University invited Dr. Beloo Mehra to... more The Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) of Pondicherry University invited Dr. Beloo Mehra to deliver a special lecture at the UGC-HRDC: Academic Staff College. This lecture was organised on June 3, 2019 as part of the HRDC Refresher Course on MOOCs and E-learning Content Development, offered for the university and college faculty.
Dr. Beloo Mehra delivered a 3-hour session on the topic: Human Elements in Online Teaching.
The session was primarily based on lessons learned and insights gained by Dr. Mehra during her 15+ years of experience with online teaching and learning at an American university. First half of the session included her presentation, while the second half focused on Q & A and free-flow discussion with the participants.
On December 28, 2018, Dr. Beloo Mehra presented a talk on the topic “Sri Aurobindo and Indian Cul... more On December 28, 2018, Dr. Beloo Mehra presented a talk on the topic “Sri Aurobindo and Indian Culture” to a group of about 20 visitors from West Bengal who were attending a study camp organised by Sri Aurobindo Action, West Bengal chapter.
The natural and serene ambience of the open-air, under-the-tree setting provided the relaxed backdrop for a 3-hour-long session, divided into two smaller sessions with a tea-break in between. Dr. Mehra organised her presentation in an interactive format with a brief introduction of the topic as she interpreted it, and then encouraging the participants to share their thoughts and insights on some of the questions she raised for discussion.
Points from a Lecture-Discussion conducted by Dr. Beloo Mehra at the invitation of the Human Reso... more Points from a Lecture-Discussion conducted by Dr. Beloo Mehra at the invitation of the Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) of Pondicherry University. This was part of the UGC-HRDC Orientation Course offered for the university and college faculty. Dr. Mehra delivered a 3-hour session on the topic: Indian Perspectives on Education.
Glimpses from the book reading and discussion session on Dr. Beloo Mehra's recent book - Understa... more Glimpses from the book reading and discussion session on Dr. Beloo Mehra's recent book - Understanding Contemporary India in the Light of Sri Aurobindo (2022), published by Auropublications, the publications wing of Sri Aurobindo Society. This event was organised at Aura Experience Store, Beach Road, Pondicherry on July 16, 2022. Ms. Gayatri Majumdar from Auropublications facilitated the event.
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Papers by Beloo Mehra
By becoming deeply aware of the nature of human love and becoming more conscious of how this human love expresses through different relationships in our lives we can prepare ourselves more effectively to deal with the changing life situations which are inevitable. By becoming conscious observers of the various emotions – not all of which may necessarily be grounded in love – that fill up the space of our human relationships we can also avoid going through unnecessary turmoil in our outer lives and needless disturbances in our inner lives.
Generally in present times, much of what young people learn about love and relationships is through popular culture – fiction, films, television and social media. Most of the times such unfiltered exposure to a variety of influences, most of which are not necessarily educative but rather meant to stimulate the lower nature of the individual – instincts, passion, and sensations, can end up creating more confusing and muddled understanding of these things.
It is important, therefore, to examine the nature of human love and relationships using a deeper psycho-spiritual view of human nature, given to us by the great yogis, sages and seers who have not only explored the depths of human nature but have also raised themselves to the highest heights of consciousness. No human experience is insignificant in their wider view of life and existence. And that’s why we are able to find relevant insights on almost all aspects of life in their writings and teachings. Through this paper I hope to highlight some of these insights as applicable to the topics of love and human relationships.
Indian cultural vision of human life and existence is the deepest, highest and greatest ever conceived by the human mind. Its attempt to mould the collective life of the community according to its ideals is the noblest attempt ever made in the history of human civilisation. The spiritual vision of our sages and seers has still a living relevance for the future evolution of humanity. But it is important to rediscover this vision and give it a new form suited to the conditions of the modern age.
Most scholars of India agree that women in ancient Indian society enjoyed much higher place of respect and reverence than what is generally seen today. Various historical, cultural, social factors led to a degeneration over time. This essay presents some selected pieces of evidence which speak of the high and revered status given to women in the earlier times of Indian civilisational march. The focus here is limited to the place of woman as a daughter.
A big part of the essay is devoted to the value our ancients gave to the education of girls and women; this not only helps us learn about the upbringing of daughters but also presents a good picture of the overall acceptance by the society of women’s participation in various spheres of activity. While most of the evidence included here is from scriptural and literary sources, some examples are also taken from epigraphic, stories, legends and other such evidence available from the collective memory of the Indian people – none of which can be ignored because this is how living realities have generally been documented among all ancient people.
The evidence included here primarily highlights the positive and inspiring aspects of the prevalent cultural and social ideals, norms and practices. Plenty of negative instances can also be just as easily compiled to show the exact opposite of the points presented here, because given the diversity of texts and even larger number of textual interpretations available there is bound to be much intra-textual or inter-textual contradiction. But the present compilation is guided by the ideal that “a culture must be judged, first by its essential spirit, then by its best accomplishment and, lastly, by its power of survival, renovation and adaptation to new phases of the permanent needs of the race” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 120).
By including selected examples from a few of the ancient Indian texts which speak of the ideal rightful status of women that the ancient Indian visionaries and thinkers set before us, this compilation does not suggest that such high ideal was always perfectly translated into practice, or that the contemporary lived realities perfectly reflected the highest vision of our sages and thinkers. No ideal is ever fully realised in the ground reality, which is inherently dynamic and highly complex. Also, the purpose is not to merely glorify the past and somehow suggest that the past needs to be revived in some way, which is not even possible or desirable.
This essay, however, definitely aspires to encourage an honest student of Indian society and culture to explore if the spirit of the highest ideals given by our ancient visionaries still carries some value and significance for our times, and whether these ideals can show us a way to address some of the challenges and problems in our contemporary society with regard to the status of girls and women. By including several shining examples of India’s daughters from the times past, the essay also aims to inspire the readers, especially girls and women, so that they would not only become familiar with this glorious ancestry which they have inherited but would also be moved to grow in the likeness of these remarkable women.
The need of the times is to sincerely contemplate on the highest ideals which must be pursued for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness. Because as Sri Aurobindo reminds us, “the ideal creates the means of attaining the ideal, if it is itself true and rooted in the destiny of the race.” (CWSA, Vol. 7, pp. 1086-7). Finally, the real intent behind presenting such a compilation can be best expressed with these words of Sri Aurobindo: “Our sense of the greatness of our past must not be made a fatally hypnotising lure to inertia; it should be rather an inspiration to renewed and greater achievement.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 87)
One such set of study materials included selections from a book titled ‘About Woman’ – a collection of essays written by Nolini Kanta Gupta, one of the earliest associates and close disciples of Sri Aurobindo. The book ‘About Woman’ is an English translation by Satadal of the Bengali essays, written between 1932 and 1949 and compiled under the title ‘Nārir Katha’.
In this essay I explore the themes of Equality and Freedom, particularly with regard to the context of education and marriage – the two issues of much significance in our present times. This inquiry primarily revolves around a few selected insights from the book ‘About Woman’ by Nolini Kanta Gupta which are contextualised in the deeper vision of Indian cultural perspectives as well as contemporary contexts. This helps reveal the profounder dimension of the values of Equality and Freedom, when seen from a yogi’s vision. Relevant passages from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother further deepen and enrich this exploration.
What can help Indians, and especially the youth of India grow in Shakti? What are some of the factors holding us back? What is necessary to infuse our knowledge with courage? What needs to be done to strengthen our society from within?
These are some questions that must be reflected upon in all honesty and sincerity, without the façade of political correctness or ideological prejudice. A clear look at these is important, especially for the times we live in, the times when, according to some voices, a new India is being reborn.
The following conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna explores some of these and other related questions. The conversation is grounded in the present-day socio-cultural-political realities of India, and doesn’t shy away from accepting the contemporary truth ‘as is’. But the purpose is
not to stay content with ‘what is’, but rather to figure out ‘what can be’.
This is what makes this conversation relevant for a multi-faceted Indian renaissance that we aspire.
By becoming deeply aware of the nature of human love and becoming more conscious of how this human love expresses through different relationships in our lives we can prepare ourselves more effectively to deal with the changing life situations which are inevitable. By becoming conscious observers of the various emotions – not all of which may necessarily be grounded in love – that fill up the space of our human relationships we can also avoid going through unnecessary turmoil in our outer lives and needless disturbances in our inner lives.
Generally in present times, much of what young people learn about love and relationships is through popular culture – fiction, films, television and social media. Most of the times such unfiltered exposure to a variety of influences, most of which are not necessarily educative but rather meant to stimulate the lower nature of the individual – instincts, passion, and sensations, can end up creating more confusing and muddled understanding of these things.
It is important, therefore, to examine the nature of human love and relationships using a deeper psycho-spiritual view of human nature, given to us by the great yogis, sages and seers who have not only explored the depths of human nature but have also raised themselves to the highest heights of consciousness. No human experience is insignificant in their wider view of life and existence. And that’s why we are able to find relevant insights on almost all aspects of life in their writings and teachings. Through this paper I hope to highlight some of these insights as applicable to the topics of love and human relationships.
Indian cultural vision of human life and existence is the deepest, highest and greatest ever conceived by the human mind. Its attempt to mould the collective life of the community according to its ideals is the noblest attempt ever made in the history of human civilisation. The spiritual vision of our sages and seers has still a living relevance for the future evolution of humanity. But it is important to rediscover this vision and give it a new form suited to the conditions of the modern age.
Most scholars of India agree that women in ancient Indian society enjoyed much higher place of respect and reverence than what is generally seen today. Various historical, cultural, social factors led to a degeneration over time. This essay presents some selected pieces of evidence which speak of the high and revered status given to women in the earlier times of Indian civilisational march. The focus here is limited to the place of woman as a daughter.
A big part of the essay is devoted to the value our ancients gave to the education of girls and women; this not only helps us learn about the upbringing of daughters but also presents a good picture of the overall acceptance by the society of women’s participation in various spheres of activity. While most of the evidence included here is from scriptural and literary sources, some examples are also taken from epigraphic, stories, legends and other such evidence available from the collective memory of the Indian people – none of which can be ignored because this is how living realities have generally been documented among all ancient people.
The evidence included here primarily highlights the positive and inspiring aspects of the prevalent cultural and social ideals, norms and practices. Plenty of negative instances can also be just as easily compiled to show the exact opposite of the points presented here, because given the diversity of texts and even larger number of textual interpretations available there is bound to be much intra-textual or inter-textual contradiction. But the present compilation is guided by the ideal that “a culture must be judged, first by its essential spirit, then by its best accomplishment and, lastly, by its power of survival, renovation and adaptation to new phases of the permanent needs of the race” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 120).
By including selected examples from a few of the ancient Indian texts which speak of the ideal rightful status of women that the ancient Indian visionaries and thinkers set before us, this compilation does not suggest that such high ideal was always perfectly translated into practice, or that the contemporary lived realities perfectly reflected the highest vision of our sages and thinkers. No ideal is ever fully realised in the ground reality, which is inherently dynamic and highly complex. Also, the purpose is not to merely glorify the past and somehow suggest that the past needs to be revived in some way, which is not even possible or desirable.
This essay, however, definitely aspires to encourage an honest student of Indian society and culture to explore if the spirit of the highest ideals given by our ancient visionaries still carries some value and significance for our times, and whether these ideals can show us a way to address some of the challenges and problems in our contemporary society with regard to the status of girls and women. By including several shining examples of India’s daughters from the times past, the essay also aims to inspire the readers, especially girls and women, so that they would not only become familiar with this glorious ancestry which they have inherited but would also be moved to grow in the likeness of these remarkable women.
The need of the times is to sincerely contemplate on the highest ideals which must be pursued for our future growth as individuals and societies in the light of the Indian view of gradual and progressive evolution of consciousness. Because as Sri Aurobindo reminds us, “the ideal creates the means of attaining the ideal, if it is itself true and rooted in the destiny of the race.” (CWSA, Vol. 7, pp. 1086-7). Finally, the real intent behind presenting such a compilation can be best expressed with these words of Sri Aurobindo: “Our sense of the greatness of our past must not be made a fatally hypnotising lure to inertia; it should be rather an inspiration to renewed and greater achievement.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 87)
One such set of study materials included selections from a book titled ‘About Woman’ – a collection of essays written by Nolini Kanta Gupta, one of the earliest associates and close disciples of Sri Aurobindo. The book ‘About Woman’ is an English translation by Satadal of the Bengali essays, written between 1932 and 1949 and compiled under the title ‘Nārir Katha’.
In this essay I explore the themes of Equality and Freedom, particularly with regard to the context of education and marriage – the two issues of much significance in our present times. This inquiry primarily revolves around a few selected insights from the book ‘About Woman’ by Nolini Kanta Gupta which are contextualised in the deeper vision of Indian cultural perspectives as well as contemporary contexts. This helps reveal the profounder dimension of the values of Equality and Freedom, when seen from a yogi’s vision. Relevant passages from Sri Aurobindo and the Mother further deepen and enrich this exploration.
What can help Indians, and especially the youth of India grow in Shakti? What are some of the factors holding us back? What is necessary to infuse our knowledge with courage? What needs to be done to strengthen our society from within?
These are some questions that must be reflected upon in all honesty and sincerity, without the façade of political correctness or ideological prejudice. A clear look at these is important, especially for the times we live in, the times when, according to some voices, a new India is being reborn.
The following conversation with Sandeep Balakrishna explores some of these and other related questions. The conversation is grounded in the present-day socio-cultural-political realities of India, and doesn’t shy away from accepting the contemporary truth ‘as is’. But the purpose is
not to stay content with ‘what is’, but rather to figure out ‘what can be’.
This is what makes this conversation relevant for a multi-faceted Indian renaissance that we aspire.
Self-reflection, personal narrative, learning by doing are all valid and credible ways to construct knowledge that is personally meaningful and professionally rewarding for teacher-researchers. Emphasis on self has been a noticeable aspect of many teacher-researcher projects. This paper based on a panel presentation led by me briefly speaks of three such teacher-research projects where studying the self, as in personal practice, was the primary goal of the inquiry.
The event was organised at Unity Pavilion in Auroville with Dr. Gopal Jayaraman, Director, IGNCA, Puducherry as the official host in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Center of Advanced Research (SACAR).
In her talk, Dr. Mehra pointed out that the book is written with an important objective – to be the first entry point for those who have an aspiration to start reading Sri Aurobindo’s massive works carefully and patiently but may get intimidated by the sheer volume and size of some of these books. The book ‘Sri Aurobindo: The Grand Synthesis’ can give the right light and guidance to such an aspirant to begin the journey.
While speaking of some important points covered in the book, my main purpose is to highlight what I think are some of the main contributions of this book, in two key areas: a) menstruation related discourse in India, and b) connection between culturally grounded understanding of menstruation and a woman’s sense of identity and self-worth.
I also remind of the integral vision with which Sri Aurobindo while elaborating the deeply spiritual nature of Indian culture brings to light several aspects which are not merely rational but supra-rational.
In this session we were guided by the powerful truth expressed by Sri Aurobindo in these words: “The greatness of the ideals of the past is a promise of greater ideals for the future. A continual expansion of what stood behind past endeavour and capacity is the one abiding justification of a living culture.” (CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 85)
We briefly explored the great ideals of our past, those which gave India a distinct identity and a stamp, ideals which made India shine in her own brilliant Light, – materially, vitally, intellectually and most importantly, spiritually – ideals which express India’s soul. But what is the soul of India? We asked this question. And we also asked an even more fundamental question – what is India? A mere piece of land but something more?
The greatest minds and souls, throughout the world and since time immemorial, have been seeking the Truth of Existence, the Ultimate Reality. Glimpses of this Truth, have manifested in various forms and expressions in many places in the world, but India is the only place where the memory of the Truth has been preserved for millennia. It is preserved in the consciousness of the place, in the mind of its race, in the memory of its people, in the very cells of its physical being.
This past of India is what makes India unique, and this is what gives India a unique mission for the evolutionary march of humanity, a uniquely destined role in the world. We briefly explored this idea because our future – as individuals, as a nation, as world and humanity – is intimately connected with this.
We also briefly revisited Sri Aurobindo’s definition of culture as the expression of a consciousness of life which formulates itself in three aspects: a) a side of thought, of ideal, of upward will and the soul’s aspiration, b) a side of creative self-expression and appreciative aesthesis, intelligence and imagination, and c) a side of practical and outward formulation. We came up with a few relevant examples for each of these aspects. And we also discussed some ways to inculcate love for Indian culture as reflected in these aspects.
Some salient facets of what is generally spoken of as 21st century cultural scene in India were discussed. We examined if the outer picture of today’s India gives us some clues to India’s future destiny. We came up with a short list of key challenges facing today’s India, and explored what guidance we can find from Sri Aurobindo to address those.
And finally, this session also gave us an opportunity to ask this question – What should be my work as an Indian, and how best I can contribute to India’s future, to the evolutionary march of India to her future – future that is more brilliantly shining than her past, that is more firmly centred in her true essence, in her soul.
Dr. Beloo Mehra delivered a 3-hour session on the topic: Human Elements in Online Teaching.
The session was primarily based on lessons learned and insights gained by Dr. Mehra during her 15+ years of experience with online teaching and learning at an American university. First half of the session included her presentation, while the second half focused on Q & A and free-flow discussion with the participants.
The natural and serene ambience of the open-air, under-the-tree setting provided the relaxed backdrop for a 3-hour-long session, divided into two smaller sessions with a tea-break in between. Dr. Mehra organised her presentation in an interactive format with a brief introduction of the topic as she interpreted it, and then encouraging the participants to share their thoughts and insights on some of the questions she raised for discussion.