Bhopal. The journey from “India” to “Bharat” is visibly unfolding before our very eyes today. This is not merely a book, but a vivid narrative of the nation’s ideological, cultural and self-respect-driven renaissance. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav made these remarks on May 5 during a book launch ceremony organized by “Pragya Pravah” (Madhya Bharat Province) at the Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium in Bhopal.
On this occasion, the book “India Se Bharat: Ek Pravas” (From India to Bharat: A Journey) by journalist and author Prashant Pol was released- a work the Chief Minister described as a seminal document of the country’s ideological, cultural and self-respect-driven resurgence. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav attended the event as the Chief Guest.
He stated, ” ‘India Se Bharat’ is not just a book; it presents a living saga of the nation’s ideological, cultural and self-respect-driven renaissance. The period spanning from 2014 to 2026 will be viewed as a ‘Golden Era’ in the history of India, an era that the citizens of the country are experiencing firsthand today.”
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Highlighting the pivotal role played by organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and ‘Pragya Pravah’ in this ideological transformation, the Chief Minister asserted that combating malicious propaganda through the mediums of facts, ideas and culture constitutes India’s true strength. He characterized ‘Pragya Pravah’s’ contribution to the revival of the Indian knowledge tradition as decisive, noting that since 1987, this organization has been actively engaged in the task of nation-building by mobilizing the country’s intellectual capital.
He further remarked that, in this book, author Prashant Pol has effectively chronicled India’s transformative journey, a journey in which the nation has successfully shed its colonial mindset to re-establish its sense of self-respect, cultural consciousness, and strong leadership. He noted that in the post-independence era, there were several instances where India failed to make decisions commensurate with its true potential; these historical episodes, he added, have been courageously recounted within the pages of this book. Presiding over the event, veteran journalist Hemant Sharma remarked that this book is not merely an intellectual work but also a powerful endeavor to reconnect India with its cultural roots. The author, Prashant Pol, has been consistently working to steer Indian society away from a Westernized mindset and instill a sense of self-pride. This book inspires the new generation to reflect upon their identity, history and cultural values.
He noted that there was a time when speaking of “India” (in the traditional sense) was considered regressive; however, a new era of cultural awakening has now dawned in the country. Drawing a parallel to the historic “Quit India” movement against the British, he emphasized the current need for a similar realization- an “India, Quit India” movement, albeit on an ideological plane. Furthermore, expressing concern over the declining habit of reading, he observed that books serve as conduits for contemplation and introspection.
During the event, the book’s author, Prashant Pol, addressed the gathering and explained that his inspiration for writing this book stemmed from specific historical events that laid bare the country’s prevailing mindset and global standing at the time. Citing the assassination of Gujarat’s then-Chief Minister, Balwantrai Mehta, by the Pakistan Air Force during the 1965 Indo-Pak War, he stated that this incident reflected India’s weak response and the state of its national consciousness during that era.
He also recounted the humiliating incident in 1969, when India was turned away from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit held in Rabat, Morocco, due to opposition from Pakistan. He asserted that these events epitomized the mindset of an “inferior and helpless India” during that period. Mr. Pol pointed out that when comparing India’s economic progress with that of nations such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Israel and South Korea, India lagged behind in several aspects right up until the dawn of the 21st century. Explaining the underlying cause, he argued that the nation had gradually become disconnected from its own language, culture, history and traditions, thereby eroding its sense of national self-pride.
He concluded by stating that the year 2014 marked a decisive turning point for India, ushering in a new era characterized by renewed self-confidence, strong leadership and decisive decision-making capabilities. Citing the example of the COVID-19 era, he noted that India not only developed an indigenous vaccine but also demonstrated global leadership by making vaccines available to over 100 countries. Today, approximately 70 percent of the world’s vaccines are manufactured in India, a fact that symbolizes the journey from “India” to “Bharat.”
During the program, a report on a study regarding the Right to Information Act- conducted by the Madhya Pradesh Policy Research Analysis League under the aegis of ‘Pragya Pravah’- was presented by Abhishek Sharma, Sanchita Jain, Dr. Savita Bhadoria and Bhupendra Singh Jatav. Continuing in this vein, a study report concerning key points of discourse among the youth of Madhya Pradesh was presented by Dr. Ram Babu Mehar, Kokila Chaturvedi, Ambuj Tiwari and Arjun Singh Thakur. This research work was carried out by a team constituted under the ‘Pragya Pravah’ initiative. Copies of these research reports were handed over to the Chief Minister, who stated that these studies would be shared with senior government officials to facilitate their utilization in the policymaking process.
Several state cabinet ministers, academicians, professors and a large number of students were present on this occasion. The program was anchored by Abhishek Sharma, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dhirendra Chaturvedi.
