India's Contribution to World Thought & Culture

The volume carries detailed articles on India's Culture contacts with Tibet, Central Asia, China, Japan, Burma, Indonesia, Japan, Afghanistan, Ceylon, Nepal, as well as far away sores of Siberia, Koria and the phillipines, Middle East, Africa, Europe and America. Shree Lokesh Chandra acted as the Eiditor of the Volume and Shri Devendra Swaroop, Sitaram Goel and Swarjya Prakash Gupta were the co-editors. Shri R. C. Majumdar the eminent historian, wrote the Foreword, commending the Volume. He said, contraty to the generally held belief, Hinduism has been taking its ideas across its borders and Puranic form of Brahminical religion was also spread in all parts of Asia. The Role of Swami Vivekananda, according to Dr. R. C. Majumdar, was to revive the spirit of ancient Hindus, though India had to wait for a full one thousand years for such a missionary to appear on its soil. The Volume itself, avers Dr. Majumdar, reminds us of our historical role. In the book, many articles give a broad survey of India's contacts with many stretches of regions and discuss specific items of culture such as medical sciences, art and architecture, geographical nomenclature borrowed from India, articles on India's maritime contacts, shipping and trade contacts with various countries are discussed. Dr. Majumdar concludes his note by saying that this volume is a testimony to the greatness of India. A survey of the articles reveals that in all there are 69 articles running to 705 pages with two special sections, one on Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee and the other on Swami Vivekananda's life and mission. A number of colour pictures, black and while photographs and sketches and line drawings adorn its pages. The book was released 31.10.1970 by Shri G. S. Pathak Vice President of India at Kanyakumari as part of 8 week long celebrations (31/10 was the concluding day). Complimentary copies were sent to eminent persons and embassies. The Mysore University made an offer to translate the contents into Kannada.