Latest news with #Valmiki
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
HistoriCity: Mythical flying machines and the false science of ‘Vaimanika Shashtra'
Valmiki's Ramayana is believed to be dated between the 7th century BCE and the 3rd CE. In one of the earliest references to an airborne vehicle it shows the abduction of Sita in the Pushpak Vimana (flowery aircraft), a celestial craft that changed hands from Brahma to Kuber to Ravan. Rama won the epic war and returned the craft to Kuber. The word Vimana today means aircraft but its earlier meanings have been wider and more heavenly. The Adi Parva of the other great epic Mahabharat refers to the Vimana as a divine chariot enjoyed by deities; in the Jain tradition a Vimana is described as a palace which is the abode of the deities serving Mahavira. In temple architecture, particularly, in south India, Vimana means the pyramidal structure built over the garbh-griha or the sacred sanctorum of a temple. These ancient references are also corroborated by at least one known inscription. In the Girnar rock edict left by emperor Ashoka, it is written that 'In times past, for many hundreds of years, there had ever been promoted the killing of animals and the hurting of living beings, discourtesy to relatives, (and) discourtesy to Sramanas and Brahmanas. But now, in consequence of the practice of morality on the part of King Beloved of the Gods, Priyadarsin, the sound of drums has become the sound of morality, showing the people representations of aerial chariots, elephants, masses of fire, and other divine figures'. In the more than two thousand years since Ashoka's edicts were decreed, innumerable Sanskrit texts have been produced. The Gupta period (4th -6th BCE) itself saw the production of a large number of treatises and other works but none mentioned much about flying machines. As per available records it was about half a millennium later that the Samarangana Sutradhara, a 11th century work on temple architecture and attributed to king Bhoja of Dhar, spoke of a flying chariot or vehicle, the Vimana. Dr Mattia Salvini, Sanskrit and Buddhist scholar writes in The Samaranga Sutradhara: Themes and Context for the Science of Vastu: 'The author says something that should not pass unobserved, the instructions to make flying machines are purposely incomplete.' Salvini attributes the exclusion to 'ethical considerations'; he cites the following shloka to support his view: yantranam ghatana nokta guptyartham najnatavasat taira hetu (In this respect, that should be known as the reason, i.e that the details are not fruitful when disclosed). Vaimanika Shastra In 2015, a paper presented at a Science Congress in Mumbai claimed on the basis of the Vaimanika Shastra that aviation technology not only existed during the Vedic period but that it was also more advanced than today. The paper was dismissed as fanciful and false science, which threatened to bring disrepute to the genuine achievements of India such as those in mathematics and astronomy. The paper, titled 'Ancient Indian Aviation Technology' by former pilot Anand Bodas and Ameya Jadhav drew flak from the scientific community and has been forgotten as an embarrassing episode. The paper also brought back into scrutiny the Vaimanika Shastra itself. The shastra published in 1950s is based on a 'divine revelation' received in 1904 by an illiterate ascetic from the mythical sage Bharadwaja. The Vaimanika Shastra makes such impossible assertions, including flying speeds of 8,000 mph, that it was discarded as a flight of fancy. It says for instance, some of the construction materials include the urine of a donkey, cow and an elephant! One of the five aircraft described in the text is shaped like a multi-tier wedding cake, and had precise dietary instructions for pilots. Author Angela Saini writes in Geek Nation: How Indian Science is Taking Over the World, 'There were recipes too, for what these pilots should eat ('56 [roots] should be purified, powdered, and duly cooked, and made into balls, and given out for use as food'). And there was a detailed description of how to generate electricity to power the dynamos that would drive the aircraft ('get a . . .flame-faced lion's skin, duly cleaned, add salt, and placing in the vessel containing spike-grass acid, boil for . . .15 hours. Then wash it with cold water').' In a 1974 essay (A Critical Study of the Work: Vymanika Shastra), S M Deshpande, H S Mukunda and others analysed the historicity of the so-called Shastra and the claims it made. They wrote, 'What we feel unfortunate in history is that some people tend to eulogise and glorify whatever they can find about our past, even without valid evidence... the work 'Vymanika Shastra' was brought into existence sometime between 1900 and 1922…the only evidence in favour of Maharshi Bhardwaja being the author is the textual statement and nothing more'. After examining the technical aspects of the five planes, training of pilots, fuel composition and other claims in the Vaimanika Shastra, the scientist wrote a scathing conclusion. They said, 'the planes described are at best poor concoctions, rather than expressions of something real. None of the planes has properties or capabilities of being flown; the geometries are unimaginably horrendous from the point of view of flying; and the principles of propulsion make them resist rather than assist flying. The drawings definitely point to a knowledge of modern machinery. This can be explained on the basis of the fact that Shri Ellappa who made the drawings was in a local engineering college and was thus familiar with names and details of some machinery... Also, no data have been given about the weights of crafts and their components. This is serious since weight is fundamental to the flying of heavier than air machines. Moreover, the unit of mass does not even appear anywhere in the text.' HistoriCity is a column by author Valay Singh that narrates the story of a city that is in the news, by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal.
DW
22-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
In India, caste still defines who cleans cities – DW – 07/22/2025
People from the lower rungs of India's strict social hierarchy say they're trapped doing jobs like cleaning sewers because of historical discrimination. At least 77% of India's 38,000 sewer and septic workers are from the Dalit community, according to data from India's National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE). Dalits are a historically marginalized group, comprising the lowest level of India's centuries-old discriminatory caste hierarchy. NAMASTE is an organization that claims to protect sanitation workers, while promoting the use of mechanized cleaning machines and securing subsidies to reduce manual labor. In 2020, the Indian government announced measures to end the hazardous practice of manual scavenging — the removal of human excrement from toilets, septic tanks and sewers by hand — by August 2021. The initiatives were part of the "Clean India Initiative," launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government that aimed to enforce laws banning manual scavenging. However, despite the ban, this dirty work goes on, largely carried out by Dalits. Despite their efforts to obtain other municipal jobs for which they are qualified, many Dalits claim to have been denied other work, effectively trapping them in cleaning roles. "The government refuses to acknowledge the social reality that India is fundamentally a caste-based society," said Bezwada Wilson from Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA), a advocacy group in India seeking an end to manual scavenging. "What they claim is less about facts and more about their own opinion," Wilson told DW. "Telling manual scavengers to buy machines themselves under the NAMASTE scheme is a cruel form of 'rehabilitation,'" said Wilson. "Instead of ending caste-based hiring, it simply repackages it under a modern name — NAMASTE is caste discrimination disguised as progress." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Dalits are usually given the most menial and hazardous jobs, which are deemed "impure" by religious and social standards. These jobs are passed down through generations, trapping families into a cycle of social exclusion and economic deprivation. Even among the Dalits, the Valmiki sub-caste, historically faces harsher socio-political and economic exclusion, suppression and violence. "Caste is seen as a result of one's past deeds, condemning scavengers to a life of cleaning others' waste," Vivek Kumar, a professor of Sociology at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, told DW. "Patronizing it by calling it a 'spiritual duty' or 'noble service to society' masks the harsh reality of discrimination," Kumar added. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Dalits often experience segregation in housing, education and social interaction. The association between caste and sanitation work limits Dalits from moving up the social ladder — forbidding their access to other jobs and opportunities. Kumar said that caste has not withered away with modernity or urbanization. Instead, it has spread into urban centers and entered modern institutions, such as industry, civil society, polity and bureaucracy. "Until caste acts as a cultural capital for the 'upper castes' we cannot eliminate it," he said. Kumar believes that "dignity of labor" must be taught from primary to higher education to move past the outdated belief of scavenging work being tied to one's birth. "Once the connection between caste and scavenging is broken and the job is fairly paid, we'll see other communities stepping in these jobs," Kumar concluded. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
India.com
19-07-2025
- India.com
5 National Parks Near Patna So Wild, They Feel Straight Out Of Jungle Book!
The city of Patna sits in Bihar as its political center while rich in historical and cultural heritage. Natural beauty with wildlife sanctuaries exists in the region beyond its historical sites and active streets. The nearness of Patna's national parks and wildlife reserves gives nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts contrasts between exciting wildlife safaris and enjoyable visits with nature. A complete introduction follows the rankings of best wildlife preserves accessible from Patna. 1. Valmiki National Park Valmiki National Park stands as the major wildlife destination in Bihar approximately 275 kilometers west of Patna. The Valmiki Tiger Reserve features this 899 square kilometer park as one of its parts. The park bears the name of sage Valmiki because he is supposed to have spent time meditating at this spot. The biodiversity of Valmiki National Park includes tigers alongside leopards and Indian bison (gaur) as well as wild boar and different species of deer that inhabit its dense forest. The wild bird community attracts observers because the park offers more than two hundred forty distinct bird species together with seasonal migratory birds. The park gives visitors a unique opportunity to observe natural biodiversity and calmness during their safari tour. 2. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife lovers find Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary an attractive destination because it lies approximately 150 kilometers outside Patna. Sitting amidst the Kaimur Hills, this sanctuary stretches across 1,342 square kilometers because of its harsh topography and abundant vegetation. People can find leopards and sloth bears and hyenas together with various deer species at this sanctuary. Birdwatchers find Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary an ideal location because it provides a natural habitat for numerous species of birds. The wildlife sanctuary provides exploration by footpaths and jeep tours enabling visitors to see up close the various plant and animal species. Natural scenic views of the hills enhance the overall appeal of this adventure. 3. Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary exists approximately 180 kilometers away from Patna within the Bihar-based Munger district. The sanctuary occupies 681 square kilometers of land that rests under the scenic Kharagpur Hills. According to legend Bhima the Pandava brother from the Mahabharata erected these hills when he threw rocks during his time of banishment hence the sanctuary received its name. The sanctuary provides wild dog, leopard and fox and jackal viewing opportunities to wildlife enthusiasts. Different species of reptiles along with amphibians belong to this sanctuary. For visitors who want to discover hidden natural sights Jeep safari tours are accessible. 4. Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary The Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary attracts wild animals and historic site explorers because it rests approximately 100 kilometers from Patna. This sanctuary stretches across 18 square kilometers while it surrounds the historic city of Rajgir on all sides. The sanctuary provides shelter for spotted deer together with nilgai and wild boar along with many species of birds. The small sanctuary size remains appealing because it sits near historic places including the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and ancient monasteries. The sanctuary offers visitors the chance to participate in short walks and safaris alongside cultural exploration and admiring its natural scenery. 5. Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary This wildlife sanctuary bearing the name of deity Gautam Buddha positions 200 kilometers away from Patna inside Gaya district. This sanctuary extends across 259 square kilometers in the neighborhood that surrounds Bodh Gaya pilgrimage site. The natural oasis hosts populations of leopards together with hyenas and different deer species that inhabit its areas. Various species of birds thrive in this location which welcomes enthusiastic bird watchers from across the country. Travelers who aim to discover holistic experiences should put the sanctuary on their itinerary as its spiritual value aligns perfectly with its natural attractions. Conclusion Those living in Patna along with tourists can discover natural escapes through the situated national parks and wildlife sanctuaries around the city. You will find something captivating between the three wildlife reserves of Valmiki National Park and Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary and Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary. The parks serve two functions by offering wildlife safaris with exciting encounters as well as protecting the diverse biodiversity of the area. Visiting sanctuaries responsibly enables tourists to support the preservation of these important ecosystems during their exploration of these sacred locations. Start your national park exploration by taking your camera and packing your luggage to experience the excellent sanctuaries near Patna
The Print
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Anger over Dalit teen's death spills over in Haryana, Rahul slams ‘BJP-RSS's Manuwadi ideology'
In a lengthy post Thursday on X, Rahul described the incident as a 'murder of the Constitution' and accused the Modi government of turning the police into 'tools of oppression' against the marginalised communities. The harassment meted out to the family for seeking justice is not just a crime but exposes the 'ugly face of BJP-RSS's Manuwadi system' that discriminates against the Dalits, he added. The Hisar episode from the night of 7 July has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who condemned the Nayab Saini-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Gurugram: Protests are spreading across Haryana in the wake of a Dalit teenager's suspicious death in Hisar, with angry family members ignoring the police's 12-hour deadline to conduct the last rites. While an First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against 10 people, including the Dalit teenager, an Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already started probing the case. The family of Ganesh Valmiki and Hisar police have different versions of the events that unfolded at Hisar's 12 Quarter area. They, the police said, were called to stop the loud music being played late at night in a birthday party, leading to a confrontation with Ganesh and his friends. According to the police, the situation escalated when the group attacked officers with stones and sharp weapons, injuring a sub-inspector and another officer. Ganesh and Akash jumped from a rooftop while fleeing, resulting in Ganesh's death and injuries to Akash, they added. A post-mortem, conducted by a medical board, supports the police's version that Ganesh's death was due to the fall. However, Ganesh's family and Dalit outfits accused the police of pushing him off the roof. The police fabricated the story of a fall to cover up their brutality, they alleged. They have refused to claim the body, staging a dharna outside the civil hospital for over nine days, demanding justice and the suspension of the 'guilty' officers. The family further alleged that when they sought accountability from the police, they faced harassment and brutality, including attacks on women. At a mahapanchayat held Wednesday, the Dalit community formed a 21-member committee that set a three-day ultimatum to the police to carry out action against those responsible for Ganesh's death. They warned that if the police forcibly cremate the body, the family will launch a nationwide agitation, including a permanent dharna at the office of the Hisar deputy commissioner. The unrest has spilled beyond Hisar, with demonstrations in Bhiwani, Karnal, and Jhajjar. In Bhiwani, a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister demanding action. The Youth Congress workers protested alongside the teenager's body in Karnal, while the Valmiki community in Jhajjar staged a sit-in, amplifying the call for justice. Tensions remain high as the police prepare to forcibly cremate the body. The incident has reignited debates on police accountability and the treatment of marginalized communities in Haryana, with the opposition vowing to escalate the fight for justice. In a press conference Thursday, Hisar Range Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) released two CCTV footage showing the youths setting up a cot in the middle of the street, playing loud music, and arguing with officers who attempted to intervene. Rao said the youths tried to snatch a policeman's mobile and attacked the team, forcing officers to seek refuge in a house. The police were only there to stop the disturbance and were willing to undergo a lie detector test to prove innocence, he asserted. Also Read: Nasir-Junaid murder: Accused gau rakshak who 'killed self' named Bajrang Dal Haryana chief in 'last video' Oppn cranks up pressure Punjab's former chief minister and Congress' Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi visited the dharna site at Hisar's civil hospital on Thursday and condemned the police action. Former minister and Dalit leader Raj Kumar Verka told the people that Rahul sent Channi to Hisar, and added that he would submit a report to the LoP to ensure justice to Ganesh. Joined the protesting family of Ganesh Valmiki in Hisar, Haryana. A young Dalit boy was brutally dragged and beaten to death by the police; several others were seriously injured. Instead of delivering justice, the BJP government has filed an FIR against his grieving family. For… — Charanjit Singh Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) July 17, 2025 In his speech, Channi said that the incident reminded him of the old 'Manuwadi Soch' against the Dalits. 'Earlier, they didn't allow us to visit temples or take water from the village well. Today, they can't tolerate a Dalit celebrating his birthday by playing a DJ,' he said. Channi also took to X in which he alleged that a Dalit boy was brutally dragged and beaten to death by the police. 'Instead of delivering justice, the BJP government has filed an FIR against his grieving family. For 11 days, they have been waiting to cremate his body. The anti-Dalit Haryana government remains silent and is protecting the culprits,' he added. Before Channi's visit, Congress MP Kumari Selja visited the dharna site on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with the grieving family. 'This is not just one family's fight but a question of the dignity and justice for the entire society. When the police and administration, under BJP's patronage, become perpetrators, it is an assault on the Constitution and social justice. Congress will fight for Ganesh Valmiki's justice from the streets to Parliament under Rahul Gandhi's leadership,' the Dalit leader from Haryana said on X, condemning the police's alleged brutality. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: 'Ladki Beautiful' to Lok Sabha polls—Rahul Fazilpuria, Haryana rapper who survived Gurugram gun attack
The Print
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Anger over Dalit teen's death spills over in Haryana, Rahul's slams ‘BJP-RSS's Manuwadi ideology'
In a lengthy post Thursday on X, Rahul described the incident as a 'murder of the Constitution' and accused the Modi government of turning the police into 'tools of oppression' against the marginalised communities. The harassment meted out to the family for seeking justice is not just a crime but exposes the 'ugly face of BJP-RSS's Manuwadi system' that discriminates against the Dalits, he added. The Hisar episode from the night of 7 July has drawn sharp criticism from Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who condemned the Nayab Saini-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. Gurugram: Protests are spreading across Haryana in the wake of a Dalit teenager's suspicious death in Hisar, with angry family members ignoring the police's 12-hour deadline to conduct the last rites. While an First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against 10 people, including the Dalit teenager, an Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already started probing the case. The family of Ganesh Valmiki and Hisar police have different versions of the events that unfolded at Hisar's 12 Quarter area. They, the police said, were called to stop the loud music being played late at night in a birthday party, leading to a confrontation with Ganesh and his friends. According to the police, the situation escalated when the group attacked officers with stones and sharp weapons, injuring a sub-inspector and another officer. Ganesh and Akash jumped from a rooftop while fleeing, resulting in Ganesh's death and injuries to Akash, they added. A post-mortem, conducted by a medical board, supports the police's version that Ganesh's death was due to the fall. However, Ganesh's family and Dalit outfits accused the police of pushing him off the roof. The police fabricated the story of a fall to cover up their brutality, they alleged. They have refused to claim the body, staging a dharna outside the civil hospital for over nine days, demanding justice and the suspension of the 'guilty' officers. The family further alleged that when they sought accountability from the police, they faced harassment and brutality, including attacks on women. At a mahapanchayat held Wednesday, the Dalit community formed a 21-member committee that set a three-day ultimatum to the police to carry out action against those responsible for Ganesh's death. They warned that if the police forcibly cremate the body, the family will launch a nationwide agitation, including a permanent dharna at the office of the Hisar deputy commissioner. The unrest has spilled beyond Hisar, with demonstrations in Bhiwani, Karnal, and Jhajjar. In Bhiwani, a memorandum was submitted to the chief minister demanding action. The Youth Congress workers protested alongside the teenager's body in Karnal, while the Valmiki community in Jhajjar staged a sit-in, amplifying the call for justice. Tensions remain high as the police prepare to forcibly cremate the body. The incident has reignited debates on police accountability and the treatment of marginalized communities in Haryana, with the opposition vowing to escalate the fight for justice. In a press conference Thursday, Hisar Range Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) released two CCTV footage showing the youths setting up a cot in the middle of the street, playing loud music, and arguing with officers who attempted to intervene. Rao said the youths tried to snatch a policeman's mobile and attacked the team, forcing officers to seek refuge in a house. The police were only there to stop the disturbance and were willing to undergo a lie detector test to prove innocence, he asserted. Also Read: Nasir-Junaid murder: Accused gau rakshak who 'killed self' named Bajrang Dal Haryana chief in 'last video' Oppn cranks up pressure Punjab's former chief minister and Congress' Dalit leader Charanjit Singh Channi visited the dharna site at Hisar's civil hospital on Thursday and condemned the police action. Former minister and Dalit leader Raj Kumar Verka told the people that Rahul sent Channi to Hisar, and added that he would submit a report to the LoP to ensure justice to Ganesh. Joined the protesting family of Ganesh Valmiki in Hisar, Haryana. A young Dalit boy was brutally dragged and beaten to death by the police; several others were seriously injured. Instead of delivering justice, the BJP government has filed an FIR against his grieving family. For… — Charanjit Singh Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) July 17, 2025 In his speech, Channi said that the incident reminded him of the old 'Manuwadi Soch' against the Dalits. 'Earlier, they didn't allow us to visit temples or take water from the village well. Today, they can't tolerate a Dalit celebrating his birthday by playing a DJ,' he said. Channi also took to X in which he alleged that a Dalit boy was brutally dragged and beaten to death by the police. 'Instead of delivering justice, the BJP government has filed an FIR against his grieving family. For 11 days, they have been waiting to cremate his body. The anti-Dalit Haryana government remains silent and is protecting the culprits,' he added. Before Channi's visit, Congress MP Kumari Selja visited the dharna site on Wednesday, expressing solidarity with the grieving family. 'This is not just one family's fight but a question of the dignity and justice for the entire society. When the police and administration, under BJP's patronage, become perpetrators, it is an assault on the Constitution and social justice. Congress will fight for Ganesh Valmiki's justice from the streets to Parliament under Rahul Gandhi's leadership,' the Dalit leader from Haryana said on X, condemning the police's alleged brutality. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: 'Ladki Beautiful' to Lok Sabha polls—Rahul Fazilpuria, Haryana rapper who survived Gurugram gun attack
