Heritage of India @ whatisindia.com

India is a modern civilization of nuclear capability that continues to nurture its roots that go back to a time before the written record of history. In the words of Linda Johnson, �if you had been around in the third millennium B.C.E, India is where you would have wanted to be. The quality of life was higher there than practically anywhere else in the world. In fact, the towns of North India in 2600 B.C. E. were more comfortable and technologically advanced than most European cities till nearly the time of the Renaissance!�

India�s knowledge, springing from pre Vedic times, followed an oral tradition of documentation and research. Many of these streams of research were documented in the Vedas. The search for information was nurtured through observational research and guarded fiercely. Vedic scholar Jean Le Mee aptly stated, �Precious or durable materials � gold silver marble onyx or granite- have been used by most ancient peoples in an attempt to immortalize their achievements. Not so, however, with the ancient Aryans. They turned what may seem as the most volatile and insubstantial material of all- the spoken word- an out of this bubble of air fashioned a monument which more than thirty, perhaps forty centuries later stands untouched by time or the elements.

Archaeology

� Archaeological Survey of India

� British Library Photo Collection

� Mohenjodaro and Harappa

� Unesco Heritage Sites

� Global Heritage Fund

� Temples

Conservation

� Intach

� Spicmacay

Indology Sites

� Jambudvipa

� Indology

� Culturopedia

Institutes

� Cologne University Indology Centre

Listings

� Sanskrit Studies Abroad

For the pyramids have been eroded by the desert wind, the marble broken by earthquakes, and the gold stolen by robbers, while the Veda remains recited daily by an unbroken chain of generations, traveling like a great wave through the living substance of the mind.�

One asks, what is this Great knowledge that these Indian Scholars sought, guarded and prioritized as their ancestral heritage. It is the concept of Zero, Geometry, the concept now known to the world by the translator for the Western world, the Pythagoras theorem, astronomy with details such as the color of Mars and the influence of the celestial bodies on our lives, the concept of time, the Age and Evolution of the Universe and the Cosmos, the dissolution of the Universe and the Cosmos, Agriculture, some of the earliest concepts of watershed management and environmental conservation, the art of Politics, warfare and peace, Medicine, physical Education and the body mind spirit connection, self control, the integration of the self with the Universe, philosophy, theology and the concept of God, Magic, genetic breeding and how to avoid inbreeding, the science of Art and the paths to the Ultimate Truth

These have been documented in the various �scriptures�; the Vedas, The Shastras like the Yoga Shastra, Shilpa Shastra, Artha Shastra and applied Vedas like Ayur Veda, the medical science of Longevity, The Upanishads and the Bhagavat Gita

While these traditions continue to inspire and teach people beyond her boundaries, Modern India forges the way to make space technology cheaper and more accessible to the developing world.

This ancient landmark of south Travancore now lies in ruins (Royal Remnant, Hindu, SOMA BASU, Nov 08, 2007)

THE selection for this year�s Nobel Peace Prize has indeed come as a surprise. The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body, and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr., the former Vice-President of the United States . . . . (Climate Of Peace, Frontline, R. Ramachandran, Nov 08, 2007)

It is music to the ears of builders in Uttarakhand, but, many residents are warning that the cacophony of construction could destroy Dehra Dun's peace. (Locals Protest Govt Nod For Highrises In Uttarakhand, Times of India, A N Sudarsan Rao , Nov 08, 2007)

IN western India, from the 2nd century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D., there was a prolific creation of art in caves hewn out of rock. (Mind Over Matter, Frontline, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 07, 2007)

Eraniel at first sight appears like any other lush green village bordering Kerala. (Royal Remnant, Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

It was the murals in Mattancherry Palace, Kochi that drew Mary Beth Heston to Kerala and its treasure trove of art and culture. (Drawn By Kerala, Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

The heritage park, proposed by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which will come up adjacent to Lalitha Mahal Palace here, may soon become a reality. (Heritage Park In Mysore May Soon Become A Reality , Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

The Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has proposed to reduce the Lutyen's Bungalow Zone and rechristen it as New Delhi Bungalow Area. (Proposal To Shrink Lutyen�S Zone , Statesman, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

Ireland is a fascinating country to explore. Its uniqueness is built around some of its early visitors from across the seas � the Celts, Vikings and the Normans, who came, conquered and stayed. Each of them left lasting footprints of . . . . . (Guinness Country, New Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

In many ways Indian journalism is at crossroads. Media houses are facing ever-increasing competition. Market forces and globalisation have brought about changes, which were unthinkable even 10 years ago. (India, In Print, New Indian Express, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 05, 2007)

In an article first published in Lalit Kala 23 (1988), author Carmel Berkson sought to conclude that the Amazonmachy sarcophagus (a stone relief depicting a scene of war, and found on the outer walls of a coffin that was unearthed in Israel . . . . (A Different Narrative Aesthetics, Hindu, G. CHANDRASEKARAN, Nov 05, 2007)

Is it natural to see a person caring more for his/ her family than the rest of the world? Yes. Now sample this theorem of geometry: (Life Is Mathematics, Pioneer, Surajit Dasgupta, Nov 05, 2007)

There is silence in music that is why it touches the soul. The same goes for the mountains. Higher the altitude, the more you are away from the madding crowd and at peace with yourself. (Standing Tall, Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 03, 2007)

Kolavara Heritage near Thirthahalli offers a house with a view, some peace and quiet and great food (The Malnad Experience, Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 03, 2007)

George Orwell describes somewhere the bustling arrival at a dak bungalow in Burma of a Burmese official of modest rank. (Ring For The Butler, Telegraph, Sunanda K. Datta-Ray, Nov 03, 2007)

It was late November one Ramzan when Governor Asadullah came to tea. Winter was drawing in, and the Hindu Kush was shrouded by Kabul�s smog. (Fearless In Ghazni, Indian Express, Editorial, Indian Express, Nov 03, 2007)

The fact that there were barely 16 working days in October ~ with a state employees� strike coinciding with the 12+12 mode of disruption ~ may have turned out to be a mite too embarrassing for the West Bengal government. (Edits, Statesman, Editorial, Statesman, Nov 03, 2007)

In the old joke, a man comes across a boy looking resentfully at a half-eaten watermelon. "What's the matter, son?", asks the man. "Too much watermelon?" (Let's Stop Talking Like Brats, Times of India, Editorial, The Times of India, Nov 03, 2007)

Tucked away in a narrow by lane off Triplicane High Road, the nondescript building doesn�t look like a newspaper office from the outside. (Newspaper Nurtures Art, Hindu, Correspondent or Reporter, Nov 02, 2007)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi says the coalition era demands a new Constitution to achieve �real federalism�. (Coalition Politics, Tribune, Shastri Ramachandaran, Oct 31, 2007)