COVID-19 pandemic: Government launches national program Vidya Daan 2.0 to strengthen e-learning content

India is not new to online education. Many private and government colleges in the country had been conducting online classes. Now, due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, education of students across schools is impacted and there has been a need to strengthen the e-learning system of education.

Considering the growing need for good quality digital content and to provide the qualitative common national program, Government of India recently launched a national program Vidya Daan 2.0.

The Indian government, of late, has taken a slew of measures to enhance the quality of education. With platforms like SWAYAM, DIKSHA, it has made best-quality education available to over 3 crore students in India, says Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned Indian nationalist, who believes that we need to reach less-digitized regions.

With this programme, academicians and organizations can develop fun and engaging e-learning content aligned with the curriculum. From explanatory videos to animations, assessments, individuals have the opportunity to give back to society. The content once submitted would be reviewed & monitored by a panel of academic experts. The approved content would be released for use on the DIKSHA app to help millions across the nation, whose education has been hampered due to the lockdown, especially in rural areas.

VidyaDaan 2.0: How important is this program?

The content available on the portal will help in creating a uniform structure, ensuring easy accessibility. It would be made available for use across government departments, schools and other institutions. “This is a great opportunity to empower the students with more effective, comprehensive and pertinent curriculum,” believes Sanjay Dalmia, however, we need to ensure that the technological interventions in education are fast tracked and made more thorough, he added.

VidyaDaan 2.0 could also be leveraged by teachers from rural areas to improve their pedagogical training and hence, the quality of education.

Why Choosing Lothal for India’s First Maritime Museum sends out a strong message?

The government of India is planning to establish a National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal in Gujarat. It will act as an independent research centre for the archaeology of boat building, reconstruction of maritime history, etc.

Why Lothal?

A visit to Lothal, though a dream come true for ancient Indian history enthusiasts, is a walk-through ruin engulfed in an eerie silence. So, many have questioned the decision to set up India’s Maritime Museum at Lothal?

In order to understand this, one has to study history which is almost 4,400 years old. The archaeological evidence from South East Asia and the Persian Gulf presents us with evidence of the prominence of Indian maritime voyages even before 4,000 years ago. Amidst all such important ancient cities, Lothal of the Indus Valley Civilization stands out as the prime industrial centre, which had a dockyard as well.

Discovered by Indian archaeologist S R Rao, this small Harappan city in Saurashtra region was not just a residential town but it also housed a warehouse. According to evidence, Lothal was a vital and thriving trade centre in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems reaching the far corners of West Asia and Africa.

“Isn’t it an amazing fact? It’s only logical to build our country’s first Maritime Museum in Lothal. Since it was a part of the major river system, chances are that we would get a chance to study about sunken ships, which can help us trade links with other countries, says Sanjay Dalmia, who is a renowned nationalist.

Dr Rajiv Nigam, head of the geological division of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) published a study of microbial organisms collected from the sediments of the structure. He says that the presence of planktonic foraminifera in material from the present study site indicates the existence of high tidal range during Harappan times.

Why today it is in a nondescript place?

It’s not just Lothal, there are many more ancient heritage sites like Thotlakonda in Visakhapatnam, Kesariya Stupa in Bihar, which is currently in a sorry state. Most of these sites have no parking space, cafeteria and lack of access to public transportation given their proximity to the ocean or remote locations.

Lothal is no exception. At present, there is a museum, where different objects obtained are categorized into groups based on the possibility of their use in the Harappan culture. Furthermore, there is a multimedia room, which shows Harappan culture in both English and Hindi.

Despite this, the significance of Lothal is paramount in Indian culture. Sensitizing local youth with a history of 4000-year-old civilization would have a really dramatic effect, making it both profitable and enriching for the visitors. So, choosing Lothal for India’s First Maritime Museum is not only a wise decision but also a dream come true for every history enthusiast, who associates well with the cultural values that come along with the world’s earliest known dock.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar: A man who fought to abolish untouchability and promote equality

Babasaheb Ambedkar, also known as the father of Indian constitution, was the spokesperson of the backward classes and castes in India.

On 14th April 1891, in the town and military cantonment of Mhow, Ramji Maloji Sakpal's wife gave birth to her 14th and last child. Born into a poor Mahar (Dalit) family, Bhimrao Ambedkar was often subjected to socio-economic discrimination, both by British men and fellow Indians. Children from his caste were segregated and given little attention or help by teachers. They were not allowed to sit inside the class. It was perhaps this initial experience that propelled him to become an advocator of Human rights in India. Ambedkar’s efforts led to the abolition of untouchability in 1950. Who could have a thought a child born to a Subedar, belonging to the backward community would turn out to be one of the most prolific lawyers and force behind the abolition of untouchability?

This year, 14th April marks the 129th birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, a key figure in the global story of human rights but one whose contributions are not duly acknowledged and recognised. Ambedkar Jayanti is widely celebrated across India, where he is best known for drafting the Indian Constitution, in which he embedded several provisions for the protection of rights of the most marginalised.

It would not be wrong to say that while Mahatma Gandhi was uniting India to rise against the oppressive British government, Babasaheb Ambedkar was guiding the Indians towards spiritual development. "Britishers gained an advantage by pitting brother against brother. The current adulteration of the Hindu varashram is a direct result of generations of their bureaucracy," says Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned Indian nationalist. Babasaheb successfully led the fight for human rights, he added.

He was the first one to be a lawyer from a backward caste. In 1990, Ambedkar was posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.  With the nation strictly observing the lockdown following the COVID-19 outbreak; businesses have  come to halt, private companies are opting to work from home, aviation & railway sector have suspended their services, yet the central government has decided to declare April 14, the birthday of B R Ambedkar, as closed holiday for all its offices— noting his significant contribution in protecting the human rights with the conceptual framework of 'liberty, equality and fraternity'.

Amidst COVID-19 outbreak, Namaste most preferred form of pleasantry

Coronavirus has been labelled pandemic. With over 200,000 cases and 8,000 deaths, the virus has scared the world. Since making a cure or vaccine could take 1-2 years, precautionary measures are being given more importance now more than ever.

As the threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SAES-CoV-2) continues to evolve, the world is taking the Namaste route. If there is one country which maintains hygiene and respect, it's our beloved “India”.



Traditionally, we have always greeted our elders, seniors or peers with Namaste. It is not only respectful and an ideal way of exchanging pleasantries but it also reduces physical contact with others, and hence can reduce the spread of the virus, says Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman of Dalmia Group of Companies.

Many public figures like Prince Charles, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu, among others, were seen switching to Namaste. Not just that, they have now also urged their countrymen to adopt to this healthy practice in place of modern-day hugs and handshakes.

The threat is real

Though the efforts to prevent spread like imposing travel restrictions, quarantines, curfews have been made by the world, it’s not sufficient. The threat of the virus is real, and is only expected to grow in the time to come. There needs to be more preventive measures besides hand washing, covering the mouth when coughing, and self-isolation.

Namaste, a healthier way

“For years, the western world has looked down upon us, for our racial differences and practices which for them are not very idealistic and old-age. But now when the time has come to fight the contagious virus, they are adapting to our practice. I appreciate this move by the world leaders as Namaste, does not require touching another and only involves joining your own two palms together- a clean way to greet and meet,” says Sanjay Dalmia.

As the world grapples with the deadly coronavirus outbreak, Namaste is being increasingly accepted as a simpler and healthier way of exchanging pleasantries. The Indian way of greeting has now become the world's favourite. Let’s hope it helps in saving lives across the world.

Ram Temple in Ayodhya: Is turning reality into myth our biggest modern-day failure?

The construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya will commence either on Ram Navmi or Akshaya Tritiya in April, said Swami Govind Devgiri Maharaj, a trustee of Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, while talking to the reporters on 6th February 2020. This announcement comes after the Supreme Court of India ordered the disputed land (2.77 acres) to be handed over to a trust to build the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.

Is Ayodhya really a mythical city-state?

Anyone who has been to Ayodhya or has read about it in the books would identify it as the birthplace of Lord Ram. He is regarded as the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, the most popular incarnation besides Buddha and Krishna. In Ram-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being. Alongside this, his references are also found in the texts of other Sanatana dharma like Jainism and Buddhism.

Such is the story of this legend that every Indian, be it a kid, elder or a working professional, knows about him and that he was born in Ayodhya.

In spite of that, there is not a single temple site dedicated to Ram at his own birthplace. Though our country is secular in nature and has always respected other cultures and religions since the ancient times, no matter how different they are in principles, yet not acknowledging the contributions of our ancestors and turning reality into myth has been one of our biggest modern-day failures, believes Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned Indian Nationalist.

Is Supreme Court's recent decision justified?

(Looks Majestic right? This is Mecca, the birthplace of Prophet Mohammad)

(Looks surreal, doesn’t it? This is Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ)

( Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram)

In spite of being in such a state of affairs, when Indian top court gave the disputed site to Hindus, there were mixed reactions. If there is one institution in India which always takes decisions backed with facts, it is the judicial court. In a unanimous decision over the site claimed by both Indus and Muslims, the five-judge bench asked the government to set up a trust for the construction of Ram temple.

What does the evidence suggest?

Archaeological evidence suggests that the site had a temple structure prior to the building of the mosque. Furthermore, all Persian, Arabic and Urdu history such as Tarik-e-Avdi shows that Babar destroyed Ram Mandir. Even if one overlooks such medieval writings, they can refer to the constitution of India, which contains the painting of Lord Ram, signifying his importance in Indian culture.

Does a place of worship take precedence over basic necessities?

There were some sections of the society, who questioned the decision and asked for the land to be used for hospitals or schools. Such type of statements can only come from people who aren’t aware of their history. It’s true that we need a more holistic approach to eradicate poverty and chronic diseases in our country but that cannot take precedence over the cultural values.

Even after years of invasions and being under repressive foreign rulers, we Indians have preserved our culture. Our ethnicity, culture is what separates us from the rest of the world. An Indian living in London would always remain an Indian, even if he/she gets the citizenship. No matter how strongly one tries to blend in, they can never leave this behind, says Sanjay Dalmia.

Whether it would be a world-class tourist destination or not, only time will tell, but such landmark decisions in Independent India is a testament of how strong our foundations have been. It may not happen overnight but the truth would always prevail. If we can have airports, railways stations and other public places named after politicians, we can certainly have a site dedicated to Lord Ram. 

Not isolating but integrating cultural values of Tribal communities to help conserve wildlife in India

Did you ever visit the Indian Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bengaluru or Mumbai about 10-15 years ago? How good did it feel to visit a city as developed as New Delhi? The amenities such as rising infrastructure, transportation made everyone crave for a piece of land in these urban zones. Compare it with the current situation and you would realize how in the name of modernization we have disrupted the country's natural ecosystem.

The recent initiatives by the government of India thus point towards the involvement of local tribe communities to ensure that humans and animals coexist peacefully.

"We borrowed the idea of national park, thinking it will protect wildlife. But there are a lot of issues about people in national parks," said Aiyadurai, assistant professor of Social Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar.

On the other hand, Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned nationalist, believes that it was the British Empire that caused the stir which continues to this day. To establish their control over the regions like Bengal, Maharashtra, Britishers with their despotic laws and regulations, started transferring tribal land to the outsiders like merchants and moneylenders.

From Santhal Rebellion to the Ramosi Uprising, conservative tribal population decided to retain control over their rights. They fought to eliminate evils and ill-tendencies that existed in the British Era. Modern India does continue to reward their bravery, however the current deteriorating wildlife is a sign of why it is necessary to rehabilitate the modern tribesmen to avert more damage to the wildlife, Dalmia added.

Apparently, the people living in cities take part in conservation drives without knowing the ground realities. They wouldn't know about the realities that forest dwellers or tribal are generally affected by. For instance, a forest dweller needs to collect fuel wood for the purpose of cooking, whereas people living in the cities have access to LPG, a clean cooking fuel. This is one of the many examples and can generally be referred to as the “primitive way of living”.

"Poor people in India are depending on forests for water, fuel wood, and even homes," Aiyadurai said. Rather than isolating these communities, cultural values of these people need to be collaborated with the scientific management.

This old-age fundamentalist idea of ignoring the tribal communities needs to end. The current government has undertaken several progressive steps already. If it can help rehabilitate the tribal community back to national parks, it won't just complement their means of living but would also help in the conservation of wildlife, deems Sanjay Dalmia.

Despite being the world's largest monolithic structure, Why "Kailasa Temple" isn't regarded as one of India's greatest architectural marvel?

If culture and heritage were a currency, we would be the richest country in the world. That said, our land was once referred to as "Sone Ki Chidiya". However years of colonization, conquests and wars led to a decline in wealth, which to this day affects our nation.

Through all of these, one thing that has remained constant is the architectural and artistic prowess. From mighty South Indian temples, to non-corrosive Iron Pillar, Indian architectural marvels have stood the test of time— a testament of great artistry that ancient India possessed.

One such fine example is Kailasa Temple, an ancient Hindu temple in Maharashtra. It has been dubbed as "Cave 16" of the Ellora Caves, and is notable for being the largest monolithic structure in the world that was carved out of a single piece of rock. This beautiful temple is part of the Ellora Caves, which is a religious complex consisting of 34 rock-cut monasteries and temples.

Temple construction:

The construction of the Kailasa temple is attributed to the eighth century Rashtrakuta King Krishna I. In addition to this, the temple also has other influences as its architectural and sculptural treatment show traces of Pallava and Chalukya styles.

As per an estimate, about 200,000 tons of rock were excavated out of a vertical basalt cliff in the Charanandri Hills.

India shouldn't just be known for TajMahal as our country has a lot to offer in architecture and Kailasa Temple is one such beautiful and remarkable sculptural treatment. The temple is designed to represent the sacred mountain of Shiva and the interiors of it exhibit the qualitative and intricate designing skills of ancient India, says Sanjay Dalmia, a renowned nationalist.

The intricate sculptures and carvings:

Where on one hand the exterior designing details of the temple can make any one wonder about the beautiful craftsmanship of ancient India, on the other the interior detailing can leave even the greatest designers and architects astounded.

For instance, in the main courtyard, there is an image of Nandi, the sacred cow of Shiva, who's facing the Shivalinga. Additionally, some of the carved panels in Kailasa temple depict scenes from the two major Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.

There have been numerous attempt made by invaders, especially Aurangzeb to destroy the temple. However, even his ill-fated, evil intentions, which caused destructions of countless Hindu temples in the past, couldn't move this mighty structure, adds Sanjay Dalmia.

India is truly a land of great cultural significance and despite of multiple invasions and loot by foreign invaders, our ancient structures stand to this day. It's because of their timeless beauty, invaluable craft that these structures should be paid more visits by Indians and foreigners alike.