Archaeologists are said to have discovered in 1920s an ancient civilisation in the erstwhile Indian subcontinent, which the historians called Indus Valley Civilisation or Harappan Civilisation. Also described as a Bronze Age Civilisation, the period lasting for 2000 years (3300-1300 BC). Evidence of religious practices in present Northwest India, according to scholars, date back to approximately 5500 BC, the earliest time of urban culture. While that civilisation has been described in glorious terms by chroniclers at different times, urban culture of our times permits itself to be perceived as the culture of towns and cities hosting people in large numbers in a very limited space, with the added features of the residents following different faiths and speaking different tongues. The story of the death of Harappan Civilisation doesn’t end there, but on the other hand begins, more correctly has begun, reaching the point of showing itself.

Visualising the scenario of the distant past in the then sub-continent, particularly the ideal conditions of society, marked by harmony and all-round prosperity, is a far cry from the scenario of disharmony and disturbed conditions in society of our times. People at large, pursuing their varied causes and interests, are themselves engaged on anti-people acts, as reported in the land’s dailies, including Karnataka.

The script in the pages of the land’s long history of several centuries, to a major extent, credits the Kings with narratives of their many pro-people measures, forgetting the fact that many of them also fought wars and hunted animals for fun and further extended an open invitation as it were to invading forces from alien regions, far and near. India has hosted philosophers, authors of spiritual texts of lasting value, social reformers and luminaries in various fields mirroring the rich culture of the land now facing threats from well-marked sections of society indulging in brazenly anti-people acts. Staging bandhs frequently, holding rallies disrupting order in society, raising slogans resulting in uncontrolled emotional outbursts in the public domain and so on, apart from committing frauds have left common people stranded helplessly.

Amidst the turmoil created by vested agencies keen on destabilising the nation, various self-propelled voluntary groups are still holding fort to impress upon the people at large that the old glory of the land can be recreated. It is up to the masses to lend unqualified support to these voluntary groups. That is a fond hope.