I did not set out to write a book. But sometimes, a single moment can shift the course of one's life.
During my first year at university, I was enrolled in a class called Understanding India-a course that, ironically, left me questioning whether India was truly understood at all. The professor, in a manner so subtle it almost passed unnoticed, cast doubt upon the very foundations of Hinduism. Questioning is necessary-it is how we grow, how we refine our understanding and how we seek truth. Questioning itself was not a problem, but the way it was done with disdain rather than curiosity, with scrutiny rather than sincerity, and with an outright refusal to acknowledge the depth and complexity of India's past.
Sacred texts were dismissed, traditions were reduced to relics, and the wisdom that had guided civilizations for millennia was treated as superstition, as if history had nothing to learn from them. This was not an inquiry, it was erasure. I realized then that the world has misunderstood India-not just geopolitically or historically, but at its very core. India is not simply a landmass or a post-colonial nation-state, it is an idea, an inheritance, a truth. And yet, this inheritance is being eroded-not only by external narratives but by the slow forgetting within India itself.
This book was born out of a need to reclaim that truth. Not as an argument, but as a reminder. A reminder that India is not just history-it is a living force. That its sacred wisdom is not an artifact it is a guide for the future. That India does not belong to any one ideology, but to all those who seek meaning in its vast, eternal truths.
But there's another truth that must be acknowledged, India is far from perfect yet. Another teacher in the same class pointed out the glaring weaknesses in our systems, our politics, and our society. I agree there is much to be done. But his words left me uneasy. He said, "I am not the kind of teacher who will tell you to stay in this country, I know it is tough to live here. I don't believe in the concept of Swadesh and all. Just enjoy your lives."
While I understood his frustration, I couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow. You don't leave your children when they are weak, nor your mother when she is sick. So, why do we abandon our motherland when she is not in her full glory? India is yours, yours to shape and yours to change for the better. She is your responsibility.
Shubhanshi's book Past is Forward offers a profound, nuanced and essential exploration of sustainability, blending personal insights with insightful perspectives from ancient texts and from field experiences. With a deep dive into the broader implications of sustainable practices, this book highlights the collective responsibility we bear for the sustainability of our planet and traces its evolution from ancient times to the present.
The book provides valuable observations and progressive and futuristic perspectives on the concept of sustainability.
In the book, Shubhanshi also reminds us of an eternal doctrine - "Once you act, you must be prepared to deal with the consequences. That is the Law of Karma". This philosophical principle prompts readers to reflect on their actions and choices and aligns with the vision of sustainability that we know today.
In Past is Forward, Shubhanshi demystifies the spiritual law and explains how it influences our lives today. Offering actionable insights, the book provides practical steps to break free from negative cycles and create a more fulfilling future.
Given the incredible momentum that the concept of 'sustainability' and the field of sustainability studies has gathered across the planet in recent years, this book is a timely reminder of how the spirit and essence of sustainability is rooted in our traditions, mythology and the art of ancient living in India.
What the book is able to beautifully capture and bring to the fore, is the fact that in the tribal cultures and traditions of the Indian hinterland, lies the key to what sustainability should aspire to be. Our modern views and perspectives on sustainability could derive great strength and inspiration from the traditional knowledge that is brought out so aptly in this book.
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