Page 29 - PR Communication Age - JULY 2016
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states that there exists just one infinite Indian philosophy. It is generally agreed What about the other
existence that reveals itself in myriad that he established a fine but strong philosophical strands
forms. Brahman is beyond distinctions, balance among various levels of real Sankara was opposed to?
qualities, descriptions, or definitions. It ity, and it is difficult to find a logical
is Parabrahman, Nirguna Brahman flaw in the formulations of this philoso There is a fundamental contradiction
(formless entity). Sankara's philosophy pher who was only 32 at the time of with Nastik philosophy, which India's
has evoked the admiration of a spec his death. Even as he propagated the 'National Philosopher' should not ide
trum of thinkers through the centuries. Nirgun (formless) Brahman, he created ally have. Sankara was extremely caus
the epistemic space for Sagun or Sakar tic about Buddhist philosphers, and
So, can Sankara be called Isvara (God) as well. equated their ideas with "a well in sand
India's 'National Philoso- that has no foundation". In Sharirika
pher'? Despite some later criticism, Sankara Bhashya, he wrote that The Buddha
is almost unanimously seen as the was "either fond of making contradic
Sankara came at a time when the most logical and coherent of the tory statements, or his hatred of
Sanatan Dharma was divided and bat Vedanta masters. S Radhakrishnan people made him teach three contra
tered, and Buddhism was advancing; termed him a "mind of very fine pen dictory doctrines so that people may
he established four maths in four cor etration and profound spirituality". He be utterly confused and deluded… All
ners of the country, unified the divided wrote: "His (Sankara's) philosophy persons who desire the Good should at
Santana Dharma, and is credited with stands forth complete, needing neither once reject Buddhism."
the philosophical 'defeat' of Bauddhas. a before nor an after… whether we
agree or differ, the penetrating light of Significantly, the RSS has been trying to
For many Indian and western thinkers, his mind never leaves us where we assimilate the contemporary Buddhist
Sankara's nondualism is the acme of were." icon Dr B R Ambedkar in its pantheon.
(Source: The Indian Express)
Sohan Lal Kadel, an anonymous backup of the BJP in Assam
Sohan Lal Kadel, BJP's unsung hero, was not only involved in getting the Asom Gana Parishad
(AGP) into the NDA fold in 2013, but secretly worked for the winning alliance in the North
Eastern state in the 2016 Assembly Polls.
Kadel had joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), when he was in class eight and
also an active member of the Jan Sangh before joining BJP. "I have played an active role in
the BJP for the last 40 years. I used to take assignments from senior national leaders of the
party. I am very fortunate that wherever I have taken up an assignment, I achieved a 100
per cent positive result for the party," says Kadel.
In the month of May the BJP came to power in Assam, ending 15 long years of Congress' rule. While the BJP and its
allies, AGP and Bodo People's Front, won 86 of the 126 seats in the state, the Congress managed to win just 26 seats.
Kadel's simple strategy focused on promoting local BJP leaders and raising the burning issue of unabated 'Bangladeshi
infiltration'. This helped BJP gain significant ground in the state and strengthen the party's position. "Our strategy
was to have local issues, including infiltration burning right to the poll day. National issues would never have worked
in Assam" Kadel said.
With the election over, and Kadel's endeavours quickly forgotten, he is back to his usual morning strolls in the bylanes
of Hyderabad. He only smiles when asked about why he is still the `backroom boy' of the party. "I am thankful to party
leaders that they took my advice and today we have a full majority in Assam," Kadel merely said.
"People have romantic notions about television. In the highest realms they think it's some sort of art medium, and
it's not. Others think it's an entertainment medium, it's not that either. It's an advertising medium. It's a method to
deliver advertising like a cigarette is a method to deliver nicotine."
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