Thursday, May 24, 2007

Google to Digitize 800,000 Books at Mysore University

One of the recurring themes here on Mera Bharat Mahan is the protection of India's heritage, be it natural or cultural, tangible or intangible. From Hindustan Times via Hindu Press International:

Google will digitize 100, 000 manuscripts, many inscribed on paper and palm leaves, held by University of Mysore. Topics cover ayurveda, mathematics, medicine, science, astrology and economy. In addition, Google will digitize 700,000 books held by Mysore University. All digitization will be done free of charge.

This is wonderful - using modern technology to protect traditional knowledge.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Common Myths About Hinduism

For me, India's nationhood is based in its Hindu culture. To put it another way, India is (or rather, should be) a secular state (राज्य, rajya), but a Hindu nation (राष्त्र, rashtra) (Thanks to Santhosh for providing the Sanskrit words).

This article Hinduism is Not a Religion: Common Myths About Hinduism from about.hinduism.com neatly makes these points: in particular, read the sections A Culture More than a Religion and A Common Faith of the Indian Subcontinent. The only section that I quibble with is Hinduism is Not Really Polytheistic! I agree with Sita Ram Goel that terms such as "monotheistic" or "polytheistic" are terms adopted from revealed religions that divide and confuse.