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Introduction Introduction India’s contribution to science, technology, mind sciences, architecture, mathematics, 2020 has been an amazing year for Infinity astronomy, linguistics, computer science Foundation with original research, and other fields. numerous game-changing discussions, and academic initiatives, despite the One of the biggest game-changers we unprecedented disruptions brought about envisage for 2021 is the launch of Rajiv by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Malhotra’s latest book “Artificial Important people across disciplines were Intelligence and the Future of Power”. interviewed and participated in lively This is a one of a kind book which highlights debates. the current clash of humanity and cutting- edge technology, and tries to forecast what At the helm of Infinity Foundation, Rajiv an AI-dominated future will look like for Malhotra has successfully navigated the the world in general, and India in challenges in the representation of Indian particular. The book argues that the knowledge and culture, and through his current AI-driven revolution will have an deep knowledge, profound insights and unequal impact on different segments of path-breaking books has established a very humanity. After analyzing society’s viable Swadeshi alternative to the western vulnerabilities to the impending tsunami, schools of thoughts which tend to have a the book raises troubling questions that biased and unsympathetic view of India provoke immediate debate: is the world and her cultural assets. By coining original headed toward digital colonization by USA vocabulary like crash of civilization, and China? Will depopulation become moronization, mutual respect, reversing eventually unavoidable? The book is a the gaze, digestion, U-turn theory among wakeup call to action, compelling public others, Rajiv has brought to the forefront intellectuals to be better informed and numerous challenges confronting Indian more engaged. Details are provided in a society both within and outside India. later section. In 2020, Infinity Foundation continued 26 In this report, we will highlight some of the years of path-breaking research based on key discussions, debates and original Rajiv Malhotra’s works on India’s historical research work conducted in 2020. The and future place in the world. We have report will also discuss the launch of successfully managed to challenge the “Sanskrit Non-Translatables: The existing negative global discourse on India. Importance of Sanskritizing English” - a At the same time we have propagated and very important new book on non- reinforced a very positive narrative about translatability of certain Sanskrit words. India, Hinduism and Dharma, based on 2 Sanskrit Non-Translatables (SNT) SNT Book Launch Event The book launch event was attended by luminaries from different fields. Everyone shared their enthusiasm for the path breaking work that would allow us to present our core concepts in the way that they truly are and not water them down with translations that don’t convey their true meaning. Full book launch video is available here. Swami Govind Dev Giriji endorsed the book enthusiastically explaining that such books The last quarter of 2020 saw the launch of would solve the difficulties that gurus like a path-breaking new book called “Sanskrit him faced when trying to convey the Non-Translatables: The Importance of meaning of Sanskrit words in English Sanskritizing English” by Rajiv Malhotra discourses on shastras. He said that this and co-authored by Satyanarayana Dasa was an important first step to stand up Babaji. against the cultural genocide of Hindus. Video It expands on the original and innovative idea, introduced in the book “Being Different” that Sanskrit is difficult and at times impossible to translate into English because the underlying thought, expression, perception and experience is absent in western thought. The book offers English speakers the knowledge to confidently introduce a list Dr. Subramanian Swamy talked about the of 54 Sanskrit words (across subject areas) book in the context of the cultural into their daily speech. renaissance of India through the development of a modern Indian mindset 3 that is rooted in the past but ready to the entire knowledge system of that innovate for the future. Video culture is represented in its language. Dr. Vijay Bhatkar said that given his So, since the Sanskrit language is the Vedanta training under a qualified guru, he keeper of our cultural heritage, its was aware of the inadequacy of English misinterpretation or misrepresentation translations in communicating the would lead to the destruction of our meaning of Sanskrit words. He welcomed culture. Video the fact that it was an English book that Madhu Kishwar explains how Rajiv was loyal to the tradition. He said that the Malhotra single-handedly took on the book would help not only foreigners but western academia that had pushed also insiders to the tradition. Video Sanskrit into the category of a “dead” language while continuing to digest its treasures. She compares Rajiv’s fight with India’s well-entrenched enemies to Guru Govind Singh’s resolve in his very unequal battle against the Mughals. Video. SNT Terms Mohan Bhagwat said that it was the misunderstanding of words that resulted in conflicts that Sants reincarnated to resolve. So the “gyan” and “vichar” behind the use of words are important. By reading words that the British mistranslated, we are misinterpreting our own history and heritage. The book can help us present Guru ≠ Teacher ourselves correctly. Video This video addresses the common Dr. Kapil Kapoor highlights how the mistranslation of guru as teacher. A destruction of a culture can be perpetrated teacher is somebody who instructs as a by the alteration of its language, because profession in return for monetary compensation. The guru is one who 4 removes ignorance, whether in mundane Non-translatables of Indian Music subjects or spirituality. Guru is considered Noted Carnatic vocalist Vrinda Acharya a personification of the devatas. explains how Carnatic musicians and many Videos – 1, 2, 3 noted musicologists are compromising on the core values of the tradition by loosely Hanuman ≠ Monkey God translating musical terms for the benefit of Hanuman is frivolously translated in people outside the tradition. Video English as “Monkey God” by many scholars. Highly revered as an avatara of Shiva and as a devotee of Rama, Hanuman is an accomplished scholar in his own right, widely acclaimed for his knowledge of the Vedas and Vyakarana. She also explains the significance and philosophical dimension of the term 'Nada' in the Indian musical tradition, distinguishing it from 'Sound'. Video Non-translatables in Ayurveda He bestows strength, wisdom and Vaidya ≠ doctor knowledge on His devotees. Translating Dosha ≠ Humour Hanuman as “monkey God” is an insult to Non-Translatable Ayurvedic Words the all that Hanuman embodies. Videos – 1, 2, 3 Other SNT Terms Dasa ≠ Slave - 1, 2, 3 Seva ≠ Service - 1, 2 Sanskriti ≠ Culture Naga ≠ Naked Shraddha ≠ Faith Agama ≠ Ritual Text Devata-s ≠ gods or Angels Asura ≠ Demon Svarga ≠ Heaven and Naraka ≠ Hell Loka ≠ Planet Shastra ≠ Scripture Shruti ≠ 'That which is heard' 5 Covid-19 and the Aftermath for India in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. Video. With Covid-19 spreading like wildfire globally, 2020 witnessed global disruptions Series on Ayurveda at an unprecedented scale. Experts including Rajiv Malhotra are of the opinion that the world as we know it is changing dramatically and the post-covid world will be quite different from earlier – and we are already witnessing such dramatic changes the world over. Not only are we seeing a severe economic impact on account of industrial shutdowns, In this one of a kind series, Rajiv Malhotra we are also witnessing geopolitical and Vijaya Viswanathan interview top realignments, and large scale shifts in doctors and Ayurveda specialists in India societal structures, cultural norms, and abroad to understand in the context of approaches to sustainability and perhaps Covid-19, how Ayurveda differs from the even in terms of how we think. We are western model of medicine and how it can heading towards a new normal and we help in tackling the deadly pandemic. have to be prepared for it. This is therefore Dr. Anil Kumar Dixit touches upon a time for self-reflection and course important topics like the classification of correction. viruses in Ayurveda, epidemiology, mantra A significant number of discussions this healing, and importance of immunity. year touched upon various aspects of Video: 1, 2 Covid-19, its impact, and how we can be Dr. Dayananda R D touches upon better equipped to deal with an uncertain important topics like dinacharya, yet exciting future. vaccinations, diagnostics, immunity Challenges and Opportunities boosting herbs like Ashwagandha etc. in the context of Ayurveda and Covid 19. Video. Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh T S discusses how ayurveda can help heal the body faster and whether patients should subscribe to long- term Ayurveda therapy whilst they are being treated for COVID-19. Video. Dr. Ravishankar explains problems in the Rajiv Malhotra and Dr Tushar Sharma allopathic system of medicine and how discuss the challenges and opportunities Ayurveda can help fill the gaps. He talks about the integration of molecular biology 6 with the approach and Sidhantas on which In a series of interesting conversations, Ayurveda is based. Video. Rajiv Malhotra and Dr. Subramanian Swamy cover a whole range of issues like Dr. P Rammanohar explains to Rajiv the impact of Covid-19 on the Indian Malhotra the science behind Ayurveda and economy, remedial measures and how different it is from the western potential rescue packages. They discuss medical system. They talk at length about the influence of US on India, the upcoming the difference in understanding of the 2020 presidential elections in the US and human body and the science behind its implications for the rest of the world. creating a balance within the Ayurveda They also have a detailed discussion on system of medicine.
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