Governor of West Bengal releases book on 'Rich Indian civilisation'

A world-acclaimed book, titled 'Great minds on India (Bengali version) – authored by a Northeast-based writer and researcher Salil Gewali, was launched by the Governor of West Bengal Keshari Nath Tripathi at Raj Bhavan, Kolkata, recently. The special function organised was attended by a galaxy of scholars, academicians, and media houses, and social organisations. The event was moderated by Professor Debanjan Banerjee.

The Governor heaped praises on Gewali's work by saying, "The book showcases exceptionally rich civilization of India and its remarkable contributions to the world in the development of Modern science, Mathematics, Linguistic, Metallurgy, Cosmology, Psychology, and other areas."

Quoting from Gewali's book, the governor said, "Twenty-four centuries before Isaac Newton, the Indian scriptures asserted that gravitation held the universe together. The Sanskrit speaking Aryans subscribed to the idea of a spherical earth in an era when the Greeks believed in a flat one."

Emphasising the importance of the book in the present contest, the Governor further added, "This title doubtlessly serves as a light of wisdom even to the educated who have lost their faith in the ancient heritage. Truly, ancient knowledge has been held as eternal wisdom. Our most beloved eleventh President of India, eminent scientist – Dr Abdul Kalam has regarded Vedas as the oldest classics and the most precious treasures of the East.

Great philosopher, writer, poet, and artist Rabindranath Tagore was highly inspired by the Upanishads and the works of the greatest Sanskrit poet Kalidas while writing his 'Geetanjalee'. And Mahatma Gandhi, an epitome of peace, tolerance, and non-violence also admitted the Bhagawata Geeta as a boundless ocean of priceless gems."

Finally, the governor stated in his speech that "Unless we are awakened now, a day might not be that far when we have to send our children to the western countries to study Upanishads and Patanjali Sutras."

This unique book has been translated into Bengali by Dr RN Das and edited by Professor Nirmal Maity of Kolkata.