Many people of Indian origin not only made huge impact in the respective societies they adopted, but also influenced thought processes of local nationalities. History is often remembered only on occasions and needs. However, if we go by what German historian Johann Gustav Droysen (1808-1884) had to say, then our civilization, society and education system need some rethinking. He said: “History is the “know thyself” of humanity the self-consciousness of mankind.”
The context is how some great sons of India have influenced the world. It is said that sage Agastya’s expedition to the South East Asia triggered the ‘Indian influence’ in countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and even Vietnam. A Buddhist monk Acharya Ado is credited with the deeper spiritual and cultural link among India, Korea and Japan.
Emperor Ashoka sent medical teams to Europe to propagate Ayurveda; some say Timaeus of Plato is taken from the Ayruvedic concept of Tridosha and the snake symbol caduceus used in medical societies also came from India.
In recent times several Indians have made huge difference in the societies and lives where they went. The most well-known one is Mahatma Gandhi’s work in South Africa. Also associated to India’s freedom struggle is Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA which was established du to active support of Rash Behari Bose in Japan. There are many such stories in Europe and other countries – Vikhaji Kama and M.N.Roy belong to that list.
Nobel laureate and Indian literary doyen Rabindranath Tagore also visited many countries around the world. . He met many best minds of the world during his trips to Europe, Japan and America. His meetings with scientists like Einstein were great occasions of meeting ‘eastern mysticism with western sciences’. During his last visit to the USA, in the 67 days Tagore was in the USA, the New York Times ran 21 reports on him, including two interviews and a photograph of him with Einstein. At his talk at the Carnegie Hall in New York, thousands had to be turned away because it could fit only 4,000 people. The exhibitions of Rabindranath Tagore’s paintings in New York and Boston became very popular. His talks at Harvard in women’s freedom were historical. Though his constant criticism of Western materialism and war hurt his popularity, his invisible impact certainly is being felt in a pluralistic society like the US. Be that as it may, the real relevance of his message is rarely felt.
Chicago was the first city that Tagore visited like Swami Vivekananda. On the occasion of America’s Bicentennial Celebration in 1976, the National Portrait Gallery of Smithsonian Institute had compiled “Abroad in America: Visitors to the New Nation,” which paid tribute to around 20 most impacting personalities who visited America from abroad. The commemorative volume included Swami Vivekananda and it said ”He left indelible mark on American spiritual life.” One may ask how? Well, this short space is not going to do any justice to that. But I just wanted to mention few things. Till the 1893, Columbian Fair in Chicago, and the World Parliament of Religions – science was still undermined by religion. Swamiji challenged the ‘blind belief system’-based religion and associated the term science’ with spirituality that should also be verifiable with any empirical truth. He in a way was instrumental to rescue science from religious domination. Scientist Tesla was his close friend, who apparently was challenged by the Swamiji to show how matter could be created from energy (which he could not), and later Einstein’s ideas lead to generation of energy from matter. Unfortunately many notes and reports on Swamiji’s talks were lost. It is difficult to tell now how many great minds of that era he influenced. That aside, Rockefeller’s philanthropy started after his meeting with the Swamiji. Ditto for Jamshed Tata back home who was inspired by Swamiji to start the Tata industries.
Two contemporary and very influential philosophers – William James, Josiah Royce, who were close with Emerson, Bertrand Russell, Mark Twain and other world thinkers, were equally influenced by Swamiji.
India and Indians across the globe is celebrating the 150th anniversary of both Tagore and Swamiji. Each person related to India has a responsibility to learn ore about these great souls, their contribution and disseminate their teachings among their children, friends and societies they live in. If Steve Jobs could re-discover Gandhiji, we all can re-discover the trails of our great ancestors. In fine, I cannot but quote Swamiji : ‘The deeper and clearer and as far back as we can see the past the further we will see into the future’.
