Book: The Indian Mind Then and Now

The book "The Indian Mind Then and Now" by Michael Danino is a collection of three essays which contrast the Indian mind and the way of thought at the very beginning of the human civilization and the the present day. The author is a long-time student of Indian Culture and Sri Aurobindo. He visted IISc for a talk on Town Planning in Dholavira - an Indus-Sarasvati Valley Civilization site recently discovered. He also discussed the divisive Aryan Invasion theory in the light of recent scientific findings; and how the Aryan invasion theory was formed, in a way to divide the North and South India. He also talked on how the new findings provide evidence to rule out Aryan invasion and Dravidian theories.

However, the book looks at the Indian mind at two extreme periods of Indian History: at the time of Indus-Sarasvati Valley Civilization, with a description of its material and cultural background; and in our post-Independence era, with a study of the deep imprint left by the colonial rule, showing how it affected our education system and how the Indian mind has been presently deprived of its creativity and self-confidence.

The third essay contrasts attitudes toward Nature in Western and Indian Traditions - with evidence from our sacred texts. He also argues that an approach to Nature rooted in the Indian world-view can be effective to reverse the damage done to Nature.

The book is short but insightful, bringing out various nuances of Indian culture at the required context. The emphasis on how the Indus Valley Civilization has a bearing on our culture, refuting the alien cultural invasion theory and evidence to claim that Indian culture indigeniously evolved from the Indus valley civilization is one of the highlights of the book.


Details:
Title: The Indian Mind Then and Now
Author: Michael Danino
Published by Editions Auroville Press International
ISBN : 81-87373-17-2