MEMO FROM NARA

 

History – the study of the past - was one of the subjects taught to me when I was studying in high school. The history teacher used to teach me Indian history and World history. The past events and personalities were the central themes in this subject. I still remember the past stories taught to me but I have not seen those personalities except their pictures. The events like war, planting trees in the roadside for shade, digging wells for drinking water, constructions of temples, mosques, churches, palaces and monuments, are some of the topics still I remember from my study of history. In the world history chapter, World War I and World War II were important topics. In addition the historic personalities Adolf Hitler, Napoleon, Winston Churchill, Mountbatten, Mahatma Gandhi – and their life history were taught. Of course, some of them were interesting whereas some others were boring. Anyway, I remembered these events, dates and names of personalities just to pass the examination. More than that, I never showed a real interest in history.

History really tells us about our past and its culture, the lifestyle of old generation, their way of life and the type of governance etc. Obviously it is important to keep a record of our past in the name of history in order to pursue the progress of our human civilization. In fact history teaches us the mistakes committed by the past personalities. They constructed many things and also destructed many other things including monuments and human beings. However Indian history is instrumental for creating a constructive society with a basic philosophy of diversity in unity. Aryans, Mohals, and Britishers invaded India and made changes and organized the political systems. Pre-independent India was under the stupid rule of Britishers.

Many historical personalities including Mahatma Gandhi through the principle of non-violence succeeded in sending the Britishers out and made India free. India became independent and the people of India, although speak different languages, eat different kinds of food, wear different types of clothes, believe in different religions unified and accepted the union with a number of States. Democracy flourished and still flourishing in India.

History thus becomes a part of our past and tell us about what our grand-father and great grand-father were and what they did etc. Because of those people and their ideas and good thinking we are building up India today in a modern way. Today’s progress will become tomorrow’s history. Today’s personalities and celebrities will be the historic figures in future. Our future generation will learn about them and pick up the good qualities from them. Let the life go on history after history.