Keshub Chunder Sen

“ In regard to India, therefore, you must not look only into her condition today, but travel back in imagination thousand of years, and see what she was in ancient times of primitive Hindu simplicity and purity. Even in the earliest books of the Hindus, the Vedas, which must be regarded as the earliest record of Aryan faith – even in them you find glimpses of high moral and religious truths which are unmistakable – not duly formed and organised religious thought, but the crude instincts and aspirations of the human mind in the state of religious infancy, seeking the Deity. ”

“ The results already achieved are indeed wonderful; but still the question stares us in the face, whether after all we have succeeded in planting in the country a radical and abiding civilization.
Many are apt to congratulate themselves on anything that is new and good; but we natives of the country, must look into the depths of the matter. We cannot congratulate ourselves upon those excellent things which float always on the surface of society. ”

“ It is true that to-day India sits in state of abject humiliation at the feet of modern nations and is content to receive lessons which she ought to receive, which she cannot reject for her own interest. ”

“ Is the work of reformation that is going on in India really abiding and permanent, or is it only the innovation of a moment? A few individuals may have received education; but may they not one day go back to the ancient system of things, forget the effects of education, and obliterate the influence of modern civilization? ”

“ Is civilisation an indigenous growth in the country, or has it been forced upon the people of India?
Anything forced upon a nation, however good and grand it may be, does not and cannot last long. True reformation, in order to be lasting, must come from within. The English people are trying to carry into India the machinery of the present day with the view of more effectually and rapidly developing the physical resources of the country ”

“ In that great country, we find the results of an ancient civilization lying side by side with the achievements of modern thought and refinement. The mists of superstition and idolatry are vanishing before the light of modern science. We see schools and colleges multiplying throughout the length and breadth of the land. Idolatry and caste are being imperceptibly undermined by the effects of English education. The people are hankering after, and in many cases successfully achieving, a better and more improved social and domestic economy. ”

“ Thus in the early books and institutions of the Hindus, there is a substratum for future reforms as strong and firm as a rock. We find unmistakably the principles of pure Theistic religion and morality; and the duty of all those who trying to enlighten, educate, and civilise that great country ought to be to establish modern civilization upon a firm and enduring national basis. ”

“ I do not think there is anything in any other book which can be compared to this:- “Let us endeavour to know the Ruler of the universe, who is the God of gods, the Deity of deities, the Lord of lords – above all, who manifests Himself, and is worthy of his reverence.” Passages like these are clear and unmistakable proofs that the Hindus, at one time in the history of their religious development, did worship One True God of the universe, and not only theoretically but practically protested against and denounced all manner of idol-worship. ”

“ Thus intellectually, morally and religiously, the country is making great strides, to say nothing of material improvement – for we see already, spread over the length and breadth of the country, a vast network of railways and telegraphs, and neglected wastes are being converted into smiling fields, and inter communication with distant races is being established. ”