- Monday, May 06, 2024
Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s words come days ahead of the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in India’s Uttar Pradesh state.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Thursday (11) said the ancient Indian epic of Ramayana is a bridge across geographies and teaches people about the complexities of human relationships and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Speaking at an event in Capitol Hill titled ‘Ramayana Across Asia: The Shared Cultural Heritage of the Indo-Pacific’, the Indian diplomat, whose tenure is reportedly concluding at the end of January, said, “Ramayana and its shared heritage across the Indo-Pacific. The lessons and tales from Ramayana are passed down from generations, and it is hard to say exactly when one learns them. It’s as if one was born with them.
“The epic gives insights into the complexities of human relationships, governance and spirituality, dharma or duty, justice, sacrifice, loyalty, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The Ramayana has something to teach us about each of these themes, among many other things.”
Read: Why India envoy to US Taranjit Singh Sandhu feels Modi’s visit to Washington is ‘historic’
Pleasure to join ‘Ramayana Across Asia: The Shared Cultural Heritage of the Indo-Pacific’ event at US Capitol earlier today along with Congressmen @MaxMillerOH, @ShriThanedar, and Ambassador @SangratTanee.
Ramayana’s timeless wisdom transcends geographies, across the… pic.twitter.com/6RTt0fnJBs
— Taranjit Singh Sandhu (@SandhuTaranjitS) January 11, 2024
“The Ramayan is also a bridge across geographies. Stories from the epic are well known in many countries across Indo Pacific, from Cambodia to Indonesia, from Thailand to Laos. The epic has been reimagined, retold, and included in the artistic, literary, and religious traditions of various societies incorporating their unique cultural nuances. I have been personally witness to this influence of Ramayan across boundaries,” he added.
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The event also saw the presence of US lawmakers Max Miller and Shri Thanedar and the Thai ambassador to the US, Tanee Sangrat, among other dignitaries.
Sandhu also said that the epic, in which Lord Rama killed Lanka’s demon king Ravana and rescued his wife Sita who the latter abducted, gives insight into the significance of dialogue and having a measured and strategic approach to working with partner nations.
“The epic speaks to something fundamental, our shared humanity, and reminds us that despite our diverse backgrounds, we share a common need for ethical principles. It has something to teach us all, to householders, to families, to policymakers, and of course to diplomats as well. If we look deeper into the epic, we can see the elements such as the importance of dialogue, of having a measured and strategic approach, and of working with dependable and like-minded partners,” the diplomat said.
The event assumes significance as it was organised amid the ongoing countdown to the opening of the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh on January 22. Prime minister Narendra Modi will be present at the inauguration and festivities and events will be held in several nations to commemorate the occasion.
(With ANI inputs)
