India is a civilizational state. Over the centuries, it has evolved from being Aryavart, Jumbudweep, Bharat, Hindustan to India. One thing that has remained constant throughout its evolution is the role as the wisdom capital of the world. Across history, India has been a fountain of knowledge, wisdom, and spontaneity in various spheres of life. In this essay, we’ll try to highlight India’s contributions in the past, where we stand now, and how we can proceed with this role.

Philosophy has been a core contribution of India to the world. Through its many treatises such as the Vedas, Upanishads, etc., it has shown the world the ideal way to live, interact, and prosper. The message of ‘vasndeva kutumbakam’, which considers the whole world as a family, teaches us to let go of narrow interpretations and, as Tagore has put it, “Not to break the world into fragments of narrow domestic walls.” Similarly, with “Sarve Bhavintu Sukhina, sarve Santu Niramaya”, India sends a message seeking happiness and health for all. It does away with a self-centered and individualistic approach and emphasizes seeing the whole world as one collective that swims and sinks together.

India has also been home to the birth of many major religions of the world such as Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Sufi traditions, Shaution, etc. One core theme of all these is a humanistic feature, emphasizing peace, non-violence, service, brotherhood, etc. Buddha, for example, spread the message that ‘Desires’ are the root cause of all sufferings. He proposed a fourfold path to overcome it. Similarly, Mahavira emphasized the virtues of non-violence, satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), etc., as tenets of life that are to be pursued for a good life.

In literature, two of India’s greatest epics—Ramayana and Bhagwatgita—and Silappadikaram and Tolkappiyam from the south hold wisdom that has been a guiding light to the world. The emphasis on living a virtuous life like Ram, to overcome the dichotomy in decision making as Arjuna did on Krishna’s advice, etc., has been a guiding light to millions across the world.

In the field of administration, Kautilya’s Arthashastra is considered the oldest and most valuable treatise. It elaborately explains the ‘Duties of the king’, strategies for war and peace, and the basis of good governance and elimination of corruption. Similarly, Ashoka’s ‘Dhamma’ approach to administration, where the enemy now need not be won through war but through knowledge and wisdom. In medieval times, Akbar’s secular policies and the conciliating approach in dealing with people of other faith are lessons for today’s world leaders engrossed in divisive and war/conflict-ridden strategies.

Later on, India’s glorious freedom movement under the leadership of Gandhiji that put up its demand for swaraj in peaceful and non-violent ways inspired world leaders from Luther King Jr. to Mandela. The idea of ‘hate the sin, not the sinner’ even won the hearts of many Britishers who supported India in its struggle.

India’s contribution could also be highlighted in its long tradition of education. Glorious universities like Nalanda, Odantapuri, Taxila had students and scholars from around the world—e.g., T-sing and Huensang from China. At present too, Indian institutions like IITs, IISC are at the center of groundbreaking research and have contributed to e-education for Asian and African students through ITEC programs.

Further, India’s contribution in the wisdom of health is unparalleled. From Sushrut (surgery), Charak (medicines) to the development of yoga (Patanjali) and Ayurveda, India has contributed immensely. At present too, India is seen as the ‘pharmacy of the world’, manufacturing 20% of all generic medicines and has been at the forefront of COVID vaccine research and development—COVAX, Covishield, Covaxin, etc.

On the environmental front, India is an example of sustainable and respectful balancing. The Bishnois of Rajasthan and Chipko movement have contributed to the wisdom of balance between consumption and conservation. Further, policies of the Government of India, both domestic and foreign, have contributed to world wisdom. For example, The unity in diversity model pursued in India to give equal rights to minorities and protecting their interests is a lesson to multicultural societies of the world. Similarly, India’s policy of NAM (Non-Alignment), No First Use policy for Nuclear weapons, as first responders to help in cases of disasters, policy of Panchsheel Sagar etc., points to the wisdom of a pacifist culture and non-assertive, cooperative rise.

However, despite all the contributions to the world’s wisdom, we ourselves too have deviated from the path. The rise of violence towards minorities and SC/ST (NCRB), sexual assault and harassment of women, criminalization of politics (43% ministers have criminal antecedents), polarizations during elections, rising cases of “sons of the soil” phenomena, the horrors of a rigid caste system, decreasing social security for the old and weak, declining standards of the environment (14 out of 15 most polluted cities of the world are in India), the hatred towards each other as seen on social media, and a shift away from truth (fake news) etc. highlight that it’s high time we revisit our wisdom and learn to inculcate them in letter and spirit.

By acting on what we preach, we can gain immensely by creating a better country and also improve the credibility of our wisdom to the world. To be able to achieve this implementation part, the first step needs to be taken at the level of home. Indians should follow their constitutional Duty (Art. 51A) to develop scientific temper, preserve composite culture, respect the environment, protect the rights of women and minorities etc. Along with people, government, private sector, and civil society need to join hands to cleanse politics and administration to re-establish India as “Vishwa Guru”. India and Indians must, “Arise, Awake, and stop not till the goal is reached” (Vivekananda).