Arjuna's arrow had atomic power: WB Guv Dhankhar
Despite the sharp criticism from various quarters for claiming that the arrows of Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata had atomic power, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar Wednesday refused to budge from his stand and asked his critics to delve into Indian history and culture. Dhankhar said he sincerely believed that India was the world leader 4000 years ago, the time which is believed to be portrayed in the epic.
He has been castigated by academicians for his comments and joins a long list of politicians who have in recent years given bizarre interpretations linking mythology to science.
"Sir try to read Indian history, Indian culture. I can join issues with anyone. It is so easy to say it is unscientific. We have given to the world which the world never had. I believe in my speech, I believe in my background of science. Our country has a rich culture which is over 4000/5000 years old," he told reporters at the sidelines of a programme here on Wednesday.
Dhankhar said he respects the views of his critics but has the right to disagree. "Some people may take Lord
Ram to be a mythological figure, but I don't".
Speaking at the 45th Eastern India Science Fair and 19th Science and Engineering Fair, Dhankhar had on Tuesday claimed that flying objects existed during the time of Ramayana.
"It is said that the plane was invented in 1910 or 1911. But if we delve into our scriptures, we will see in the Ramayana that we had the 'uran khatola' (aircraft)," he said. "Sanjaya narrated the entire war of Mahabharata (to the Dhritarashtra) not from the TV. The arrows of Arjuna in Mahabharata had atomic power in it," Dhankhar said, asserting that the world can no longer afford to ignore India.
India’s way is not to be disruptive and it is more of a decider than an abstainer, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday.
In remarks that come at a time several countries have called for a greater Indian role in the Indo-Pacific, the minister also said it is not the India way to be mercantilist.
Addressing a gathering at the Raisina Dialogue here, Jaishankar referred to tensions between the US and Iran and said they are two individualistic countries and what finally happens will depend on the players involved.
Discussing ties with China, he said it is vital for neighbours to reach understanding on crucial issues.
“Neither India nor China can get India-China relations wrong. Our relationship is unique. Each country has gone up in the world simultaneously. It is necessary that the two countries find equilibrium,” Jaishankar said.
India, he said, is a “prisoner of its past image” and must get over it.
“It is not the India way to be disruptive. It is not the India way to be mercantilist. It is the India way to be more of a decider and not an abstainer. I would pick on climate change. India owes it to itself and to the world to be a just power,” Jaishankar said during the session titled “The India Way: Preparing for a Century of Growth and Contest”.
India is firmly dealing with terrorism, he added.
“There was a time when we spoke more than what we did. It is changing now,” the minister said.
On India pulling out of RCEP, he said the onus was on countries which were part of it.
“Where RCEP is concerned, we have to look at cost and benefit. We will evaluate RCEP on its economic and trade merit. We have not closed our mind to it,” Jaishankar said.
He also asserted that “we are not under-delivering on India-US relationship”.
There is no area of activity where India and the US are not working together, he said.
Noting that the world has common challenges, he said, “Terrorism is a common challenge. Separatism is a common challenge. Migration is a common challenge. World has to ask itself how do they handle these challenges. Don’t get fixated on the dots and ignore the line.”