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Times of India, Pune Edition, 13/10/2010.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Youngsters-should-take-interest-in-study-of-history-President/articleshow/6738395.cms
PUNE: President Pratibha Patil has highlighted the need for the
younger generation to evince keen interest in the study of history,
which, she said, plays a vital role in linking the country's past
with the present and shows the path to a bright future.
"History need not be seen as the subject matter of research
within the confines of veteran scholars," Patil said while
addressing the concluding ceremony of the year-long centenary
celebrations of the Bharat Itihaas Sanshodhak Mandal, one of the
country's premier research institutes in history, here on Tuesday.
Maharashtra Governor K Shankaranarayanan presided over the function.
"We live in the present and we have to move into the future
by solving the problems of the present. Yet, one can not ignore
the fact that the present is always linked to the history of the
past. Understanding this history can help build a bridge between
the present and the future," said Patil.
Taking an overview of the work done by the mandal, Patil said,
"Initiatives like studies in ancient scripts and languages
like Modi and Farsi, numesmatics, like study of coins, genuine
historic documents and old newspapers need to be encouraged in
a big way."
Patil said, "History also need not remain the subject of
mere research but, should become a mode of experiencing the glorious
past of the country. This entails an objective and non-prejudiced
analysis of historic events, which can help put the country on
the path to a bright future."
She said, "The world today is drawing closer and closer
and the nations were making effort towards establishing good relations
with each other. Historical and cultural links play a crucial
role in fostering such relations."
Patil cited her recent visits to Laos and Cambodia and their
ancient links with India, which, she said, were evident from the
temples, languages, music, dance and various traditions that continue
to prevail there.
For instance, she said, "Ancient kings of Indian origin
like Suryavarman II ruled the erstwhile Camboj (now Cambodia)
and went on to built the world famous Angkor Wat temple. Courageous
leaders like Jaiverman also ruled this country."
Patil said, "The Indian government's ongoing involvement
in the restructuring and restoration of ancient temples in Cambodia
and Laos is not mere strengthening of the building structures
but, it is an effort to strengthen the relations with these countries
through historic and cultural ties."
Earlier, Patil paid glowing tributes to the vision and dedication
of noted historian V K Rajwade, who established the Mandal in
1910 with an objective of providing key resources to researchers
engaged in study of history.
She also recalled the role played by Rajwade's successors in
the organisation including Datto Waman Potdar, G H Khare, Devisingh
Chauhan, W S Bendre and Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandre. The octagenarian
historian, Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare, was felicitated on
the occasion by Patil.
Union power minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who headed the centenary
celebration committee, Maharashtra minister for transport Radhakrishna
Vikhe Patil, MP Shivajirao Adhalrao Patil, Mandal president Shobhana
Gokhale, secretary S M Bhave, Ravikiran Sane and Raja Dikshit
were also present.
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