The government has embarked on a fresh drive to encourage the people, especially students, to rediscover Jawaharlal Nehru's concept of a modern secular India.
NEW DELHI: The government has embarked on a fresh drive to encourage the people, especially students, to rediscover Jawaharlal Nehru's concept of a modern secular India that is at the same time anchored in its ancient history.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi launched a DVD version of "Bharat Ek Khoj", the famous 53-episode television serial based on the classic "Discovery of India" authored by India's first prime minister, at a function on Friday night.
"It can be an instrument to educate our future generations about the history of our great civilization. Whatever the cost, it would be made available in educational institutions and libraries around the country," Dasmunsi said.
The information and broadcasting ministry will approach the human resource development ministry to ensure that all libraries and colleges have a copy of the DVD of this contemporary classic.
Dasmunsi exhorted private TV channels to be more sensitive to issues and asked them to rise above the frenetic TRP race to contribute to social causes.
The broader aim is to popularize the idea of a modern, secular India that was epitomized in the writings and persona of Nehru, a senior official associated with the project said.
Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who directed the famous TV serial starring Roshan Seth in the role of Nehru, was upbeat about the DVD version of his brainchild.
Fondly recalling the experience of making the serial, he said the 53 episodes were the result of daily shooting for 19 months at a stretch with over 500 actors at 144 different sets, supported by 10 script writers and guidance of 22 well-known historians.
The DVD will encourage the new generation and Indians all over the world to rediscover the spirit of this great nation, Benegal said.
The promotion of Nehru's idea of India that is often contrasted with rightwing versions of Indian history is part of the larger educational agenda of the new government.
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