Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: India's 7 great strengths

'Spirituality, without which India would have become like the Balkan States a long time ago,' says Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, continuing our Independence Day special series where 66 well-known Indians tell Rediff.com what they love most about India.

What is it about India that tugs at the chords of our hearts?

What makes this often beautiful, often frustrating, country the best country in the world for us?

What makes it tick? Why does it deserve to be celebrated and constantly nurtured?

Why the journey for its Freedom is a continuing one and how we must build this country every day.

Continuing our Independence Day special series where 66 well-known Indians tell Rediff.com what they love most about India.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

The uniqueness of India is that it has survived the test of time in which many civilisations have perished. The idea of a One World Family (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam) mooted through its philosophy is ancient yet relevant to the modern times. Liberal, progressive and all-inclusive are the hallmark of this beautiful country. 

One wonders how India has not only withstood centuries of invasion and plunder, but also continues to survive onslaughts in today’s times from serious issues like corruption and Naxalism. 

Against the global trend of disintegration India has stood as a united nation despite so many religions, languages, ethnic groups, caste equations.

India’s strength can be grouped into 7 areas:

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The Rediff Special: Why I love India

Earlier in the series:

Amish Tripathi

'India is being built by its people, not by its government'

Shiv Viswanathan

'Gujarat throws many interesting surprises at you' 

Science and Information Technology

From ancient days, mathematics and science have been given utmost prominence in India.

Though the world failed to recognise India as the mother of mathematics, the youth of India still carry its genius in their DNA.

They are good in information technology and given an opportunity they excel in innovation.

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Tourism

India offers a variety of tourism -- from spiritual tourism to eco tourism; from the ancient monuments of Khajuraho to the vibrant temples of Tamil Nadu; from the back waters of Kerala to the ski slopes of Himachal.

India has the great beaches of Puri and Goa and the glorious architecture of Hampi ruins and so much more.

This wide variety of tourist attractions has not been developed to its optimum. Lack of infrastructure is one of the biggest blocks for growth of tourism in India.

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Food

The variety of food in India is unparalleled.

A few years ago, Art of Living had hosted a vegetarian food festival called Annam Brahma and our volunteers prepared 5,600 vegetarian food items -- seven tons of different types of food!

And there are likely to be many more varieties of food that are little known even to all Indians across the subcontinent.

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Music

Traditional music and dance in India has had a higher purpose, that of connecting with one’s higher Self.

Here we have such a rich variety of dance and music which hasn’t been promoted adequately.

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Garments and Jewelry

Indian garments and jewelry have always been in great demand all over the world for their originality, craftsmanship, quality and variety.

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Ayurveda

Modern medicine, with all its technology, has not succeeded in providing total health care because treating just the physical body is not sufficient.

Ayurveda is a complete system of medicine that treats the whole body-mind complex.

This time-tested, holistic system of medicine is fast becoming the main medical system of the future.

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And the most important of all is its spirituality, without which India would have become like the Balkan states a long time ago.

India is more known for its yoga and spirituality world-wide.

Great spiritual leaders like Adi Shankara, Buddha, Mahavir, Nanak, Kabir, Meera and Ramakrishna Paramahansa have kept the spiritual flame burning lit by the sages of yore.

The richness and vastness of Indian scriptures is simply beyond comprehension.

The patience exhibited by the Indian people to accommodate diverse viewpoints is a fine example for nations to exist in harmony.

Having said this, a lot needs to be done to promote spirituality, which has real solutions to many of the ills of today.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Founder, Art of Living Foundation

The Rediff Special: Why I love India

Earlier in the series:

Amish Tripathi

'India is being built by its people, not by its government'

Shiv Visvanathan

'Gujarat throws many interesting surprises at you'