Gurumurthy at centenary lecture: Indian civilisation is a 'future guide', not just past glory

Chennai, March 6: Addressing the Dr. (Mrs.) YGP Centenary Year Memorial Lecture on 'Indian Civilisation Past Glory or Future Guide' on Thursday, S. Gurumurthy, Editor of Thuglak and Chairman of the Vivekananda International Foundation, said that Indian civilisation should be viewed as a guiding force for the future rather than merely a relic of the past. The lecture was organised by the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB) Group of Schools at Kamarajar Arangam on Anna Salai.

Referring to a study of Generation Z abroad, Mr. Gurumurthy claimed that while young people in Europe, Japan, and America were drawn to the music of the 1970s and 80s and the books of the 1960s, a different narrative was being shaped for India's Gen Z. "Gen Z is being created in India as someone who rebels; rebels against the system, rebels against society, rebels against parents, rebels against tradition, rebels against religion," he said. He attributed this to what he described as "a very peculiar, consumerist approach of western communication experts."

However, Mr. Gurumurthy also noted that many young Indians were engaging with traditional practices. He observed that large numbers of young professionals, including software engineers, chartered accountants, teachers, businessmen, and company executives, were visiting temples and participating in events like the Kumbh Mela. "There is a civilizational connect in each of these activities," he added.

Drawing a comparison between savings habits in India and other countries, Mr. Gurumurthy said that unlike in the West, Indians often save for their grandchildren. He remarked that this mindset was "not there in countries which we have iconized or made examples of."

He went on to define civilisation in terms of continuity and collective memory. "Civilisation means continuity. Civilisation means the memory of the people," he said. Recalling the past, he argued, was both a matter of pride and self-confidence. "The entire answer to how the universe originated, how climate changes are taking place, and how human beings are affected by the things happening in the universe—all these secrets will be unravelled only by studying the Indian civilisation," he asserted.

Earlier in the day, the event also honoured veteran actor A.R. Srinivasan, K. Ramanujam, Founder of Ramcons, and Dr. Mohan Rajan, Chairman and Medical Director of Rajan Eye Care Hospital, for their contributions.

Sheela Rajendra, Dean, Director, and Correspondent of the PSBB Group of Schools, paid tribute to the late Mrs. YGP, under whose leadership PSBB grew into a confluence of Indian tradition and progressive thinking. She said the institution combined academic excellence with learning that extended beyond textbooks to develop character, conviction, and compassion.