Preserving the Past, Building the Future: A Plea to India's Future Leaders

Dear Future Leaders,

As you step into the role of guiding our nation forward, we, the people of India, look to you with hope and anticipation of a brighter future. The challenges we face are many, but so too are the opportunities to build a nation that is prosperous, inclusive, and just. Like the nation, I am full of things to say and things to be upset about. I would like to draw your attention to something that is extremely concerning: the removal of history from our educational curriculum and the resulting harm to humanity.

History is not merely a collection of dates and events; it is the story of who we are, where we come from, and the lessons we have learned as a civilization. Yet, we find ourselves at a crossroads where the very fabric of our history is being unraveled.

Our educational curriculum's recent trend toward revisionism and censorship is extremely concerning. This not only undermines the integrity of our education system but also deprives future generations of the knowledge necessary to navigate an increasingly complex world.

Yes, I am aware that politics functions because of fame and power. But India is a land of immense diversity, where millions struggle to make ends meet while a privileged few enjoy abundance. By whitewashing uncomfortable truths and sanitizing our history books, we do a disservice to those who suffered and sacrificed to shape the course of our nation.

The real story about India's wealth and diversity must be told to us. Please do not turn education into a gambling game in an attempt to win over more people. Sanitizing politics in our educational system is what needs to be done.

Acknowledging both its triumphs and its tragedies, irrespective of whether the ones to wage a war were British, Mughal, or Hindu. By distorting or erasing history, we risk repeating the mistakes of the past and perpetuating cycles of violence and injustice that have plagued humanity for centuries.

While knowing Aurangzeb's history won't build a nation, recognizing his impact on India can shape a world transcending religious divides.

I urge you to uphold the integrity of our educational system by preserving the richness and diversity of our history. Let us not hide from our past, but rather confront it with courage and humility.

With hope,

A view from your youth.

Written by Meenakshi Yadav

Meenakshi wrote this article while working as an Intern at the Media Makers Fellowship.

This article was created for the program zine, The DIY Digest.

This zine was established to showcase the work of students and interns at the Media-Makers Fellowship's April '24 cohort.