Adhunik Bharat Aur Sanskruti

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Adhunik Bharat aur Sanskruti" by Devesh Jain, in English:

The document, likely an excerpt from a publication for the Jain community, discusses the evolution and perceived decline of Indian culture, particularly in the modern era, contrasting it with its glorious past and the influence of Western civilization.

The author begins by stating that while the exact origin of humans is unknown, their development is evident. They then highlight the appreciation for arts and culture during the Mughal period, citing Emperor Akbar as a patron of music with Tansen as one of his gems. Akbar, though unlettered, respected scholars. The author asserts that Mughal rule, from Babur to Shah Jahan, saw significant advancements in Indian culture, with emperors being patrons of poetry and learning, fostering the growth of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and Hindi literature, as well as arts and painting.

However, the text laments the gradual erosion of this cultural identity. The author quotes Jayashankar Prasad, suggesting that India once illuminated the world with knowledge and was the first to be civilized, but this is no longer the case. Modern Indians, it is argued, have forgotten their own culture and adopted Western ways. The text recalls a time when people from Western countries were drawn to Indian culture and visited to experience it, citing the journeys of Faxian during Chandragupta's reign and Xuanzang during Harshavardhana's reign as proof of India's civilizational pull.

The pervasive influence of Western civilization is evident in all aspects of life, including lifestyle, dress, and food. The shift from traditional Indian attire like dhoti and kurta-pajama to Western wear like pants and shirts, and the adoption of greetings like "Good morning" instead of "Suprabhat," are presented as indicators of cultural decline.

The medium of cinema is also criticized. While acknowledging it as a form of entertainment, the author argues that it has become corrupt and hollows out Indian culture. Traditional entertainment like plays and folk performances have lost their appeal, replaced by cinema, which is now influenced by Western culture. Most films, the text claims, are filled with themes of love and lust, leading to a significant moral degradation in India. Cinema has become an addiction rather than a healthy pastime, with its negative consequences frequently observed. The author places a significant portion of the responsibility for the moral decay of today's youth on cinema, noting that many film narratives are vulgar and excessively romanticized. These films, it is stated, present inappropriate role models and distort pure emotions like love into vulgar lust.

The text further contrasts the present with India's glorious past, where it excelled in knowledge, philosophy, and peace, possessing a unique language and ideology. These were India's cultural treasures, which have gradually been lost. The author attributes this loss solely to Western civilization, stating that while India's development led to the civilization of other countries, its own cultural decline is also a consequence of its evolution, specifically due to Western influence, which has endangered Indian culture. The British are blamed for stripping India of its pride by making its people indolent, decadent, and corrupt.

The author emphasizes the importance of culture as a defining characteristic of India, which has historically held a special place in the world due to its unique qualities. The text then addresses the declining respect for gurus in modern times. Gurus, traditionally revered as guides leading disciples to God, are now disrespected by students. The teachings of Kabir, who considered the guru even greater than God and advocated for obtaining a guru at any cost, are presented as a stark contrast to the current situation. This disrespect for gurus is seen as a decline in ideals, directly impacting culture.

The author calls for the reawakening of these traditional ideals and a return to that path. The text concludes by stating that Indian culture is slowly dying in the present era, and the government, teachers, and students are all responsible. Teachers have a duty to educate students about Indian culture. The author urges the preservation of this precious heritage passed down by elders, as India's identity is intrinsically linked to its culture. The success in saving the culture would make the words of Makhanlal Chaturvedi – "Centuries have passed, but this Ganga flowed, it's fortunate that you diverted its course" – truly meaningful.