Shimla, April 25, 2025 — A seminar on the theme “Glorious Land of Bharat” was organised today at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. The event was jointly hosted by Thakur Ramsingh Institute of Historical Research (Neri, Hamirpur), the All India Literary Council (Shimla), and the Himachal Studies Centre.
The seminar was chaired by Dr. Veer Singh Rangra, Professor in the Department of Physics, Himachal Pradesh University. The event welcomed Shri Rajkumar Verma, Chairman of Sai Eternal Foundation, as the Chief Guest; Dr. O. P. Sharma (former Chairman of the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Chair and Tagore Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla) as the Special Guest; and Shri Harish Chandra, Intellectual Head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, North Region, as the keynote speaker.
The event began with a solemn tribute to the Hindu tourists who lost their lives in a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Following this, the dignitaries on stage lit the ceremonial lamp, formally inaugurating the programme.
Advocate Deshraj Thakur, Coordinator of the Himachal Studies Centre, emphasized that Indian history was often taught from a colonial perspective focused on defeat and subjugation. He asserted that now is the time to highlight the overlooked chapters of India’s glorious past, which is the primary aim of this seminar.
Keynote Speaker Shri Harish Chandra, elaborating on India’s rich cultural heritage and resilient spirit, highlighted that out of 49 ancient civilizations, only the civilizations of India, China, and Indonesia continue to survive. He noted that although Indonesia is the world’s largest Islamic nation today, its culture remains deeply influenced by Hindu traditions. Recalling the golden era of the Gupta period, Shri Harish Chandra explained why India was once called the “Golden Bird.” He mentioned that even Western scholars like Max Müller had expressed great respect for India’s heritage, and that even the gods aspired to be born on this sacred land. In his address, Shri Harish Chandra paid homage to heroes such as Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji, the lineage of the ten Sikh Gurus, Veer Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Rajguru. He emphasized that despite a millennium of foreign domination, India never allowed its cultural soul to be destroyed. He also called for collective action towards achieving the “Five Pledges” (Panch Pran) — promoting social harmony, strengthening family prosperity, conserving the environment, adopting indigenous practices, and fulfilling civic duties.
In his presidential address, Dr. Veer Singh Rangra recalled India’s glorious past and the unparalleled courage of its saints and warriors, noting that heroes like Maharana Pratap and Chhatrapati Shivaji fought relentlessly against the Mughals without ever accepting subjugation. Finally, Dr. Pan Singh, President of the All India Literary Council (Shimla), formally concluded the seminar by expressing heartfelt gratitude to all dignitaries and participants.