HFS International's Reading Club feels privileged to host author Amish Tripathi, whose titles have a colossal resonance with the current readership. The Principal, Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik believes that such wizards are necessary to bring in good values and ignite the young minds with rich, stirring thoughts.
His presence brought to life the multidimensional Indian mythologies for the young audience. An enlivening discussion with the student arose, where the room buzzed with references from the Mesopotamian, Greek, Central American, Norse and Indian mythologies.
Mr. Tripathi deconstructed the term 'myth' for the eager listeners. Building up to the rich Indian cultural heritage, he traced the roots of words in popular usage, such as 'Thursday' from the Norse Thor's day.
The discourse covered a wide range of topics, where the author and the HFSI students grappled with a diverse range of questions. Mr. Tripathi asserts that unlike the other cultures, braving the changing times, our stories are still alive in India because we believe in them. The multiple truths and stories that the Vedic scholars had once sought out – have adapted to the vagaries of time. Drawing beautiful analogies to answer the questions, the speaker explained that sturdy trees are the first ones to be demolished in hurricanes, while the flexible woods prevail.
Outlining the religiousity and liberality that go hand – in – hand in the Indian culture, Mr. Tripathi spoke of the construction of the story of 'Lakshman Rekha', which did not exist in the original Valmiki Ramayana or the later Ramcharita Manas. This is the cultural influence on language, where today, we find Lord Ganesh on a motorcycle during the 'visarjan' ceremony or the touch of the divine blessings in our scientific space expeditions. The stress on the equality of men and women was laid, with examples of the ancient 'rishikas' and 'Shakti' as an embodiment of power.
The final turn of the invigorating discussion mused over the status of Indian education, where the author asserted the need to Indianise our education system. From the Indian concept of six seasons to the mathematical geniuses of Baudhayana and Bhaskaracharya, our stories are replete with illustrations of the prolific pedagogues.
At the end of the session, the students were left with new questions and ideas to consider. Their curiosity for the Indian cultural heritage is kindled and their interest piqued.