Tuesday, February 6, 2018

My City My Responsibility - The World is a family

Dear All,

In the last week I got a chance to attend a session on India and the World - A history in nine stories by Neil MacGregor at the Symbiosis School for Liberal Arts. India and the World - A history  in nine stories is a unique exhibition in collaboration between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai, the British Museum in London and the National Museum in Delhi, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Tata Trusts and the Getty Foundation. 

With regard to this exhibition project Neil MacGregor narrated landmark events that occurred in India which show strong connections India had historically with the rest of the world. India has always promoted sharing of ideas as well as knowledge, spices, textiles, and treasures etc., with the rest of the world. India has been an integral part of the cultural history of the world and thus we also inherit a global culture. Mr. MacGregor rightly used the term that the World is a family. This made we feel like a global citizen already and thus could relate to Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam as it is said in Sanskrit.  

History has a record showing we as Indians being global citizens, which is something to be proud of, but it also should carry a sense of responsibility towards the world. Why are we being so self centered today? I mean in spite of facing impacts of climate change, environmental pollution and socio-economic inequities in India and the whole world. Our vision document for 2020 gives priority to economic development giving social and environmental aspects the last priority. Recently we all heard about Cape town in South Africa going to run out of water completely, experiencing a Day Zero by mid May 2018. We are not far from this situation if we fail to understand the impacts of our choices on people, economy and environment locally and globally.

Pournima Agarkar.