01-15-2004, 11:38 PM
SSR, part of the problem in India is the way an intellectual is defined. Too often in India being intellectual is confused with command of language (in particular English). Being a part of the English speaking Macaulayized layer of society in India is confused with being synonymous with intellectualism. An intellectual is someone imo who is able to pull together diverse sources of knowledge in order to arrive at conclusions that are far from obvious. This may of course be too restricitive, but the point being , language is only a part of the process of framing and articulating views and opinions that are not mere cliches.
As a consequence of the above , those with a more mundane role such as ekeing out a living from the land are excluded . If we include the vernacular press, i am sure the situation would be somewhat rectified.
The role of secularism in the national discourse of India is subject by itself which is why we have a thread devoted to the Great Indian Political debate. That thread addresses the issue of nationalism vs.secularism in some detail.
As a consequence of the above , those with a more mundane role such as ekeing out a living from the land are excluded . If we include the vernacular press, i am sure the situation would be somewhat rectified.
The role of secularism in the national discourse of India is subject by itself which is why we have a thread devoted to the Great Indian Political debate. That thread addresses the issue of nationalism vs.secularism in some detail.