Dear Jeyamohan,
I have been watching your comprehensive videos, and I must say, you speak beautifully, clearly, and firmly. Whether it’s the video on the importance of studying or the one discussing Sanskrit and Tamil fanatics, your insights are wonderful.
There is a question that has been on my mind for a long time.
In today’s technologically advanced era, when we (not just Tamils) struggle to build a good bridge, create a well-planned city, or establish a functioning social order, how were we able to construct magnificent temples like those in Madurai, Thanjavur, and Thiruarangam? What have we lost along the way? Sometimes I wonder if we truly built them ourselves.
Thank you,
Austin Sathya Narayan.
Dear Satya,
I will discuss this in detail in a video. My brief answer is this: we have a history of feudalism, which included specific systems, regulations, and mindsets. During that time, exploitation and slavery were prevalent. We dismantled those systems to eliminate exploitation and slavery, but we failed to establish the systems, regulations, and mindsets necessary for modern capitalism. As a result, we find ourselves in a void, lacking a formal structure, order, and social mindset. This is our dilemma.
In ancient times, there were industrial groups that operated like castes. They adhered to strict norms and underwent rigorous training, allowing them to work effectively together. Various forms of village control helped maintain societal order. A century ago, it was forbidden to dispose of garbage in the river. There were regulations in place. (Even today, such village control exists in some ‘undeveloped’ hilly areas.) Nowadays, individuals can dump sewage into the river without any mental reservations. A sense of community has not developed, and there is a lack of control. The only regulation is legal, which people can easily circumvent. Thus, we are left as a disorganized group without any civic awareness.
Jeyamohan
