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Sometimes you get random reminders that despite the recent prominence of a stridently illiberal streak, India has also historically been home to a very different kind of non-western syncretic liberalism.
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Love for India is pouring from around the world! On the occasion of India's 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Grammy Award winner - @rickykej and 12 refugee singers from 4 nationalities pay tribute to the national anthem. Watch their melodious tribute here ⬇️
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Though this thing is produced by the rather ominous sounding ministry of culture, it’s not that different in tone from stuff voluntarily produced by Bollywood. There’s a whole genre of songs in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil etc celebrating a kind of universal liberal spirit.
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Fair question :) It’s far from perfect, but I’m glad at least a limited liberal streak exists, same as the US. Gotta take what you can get in these illiberal times.
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Replying to @vgr
Carefully chosen nationalities not to upset anyone… why “refugees” and not “residents”?
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Indian equivalent of Emma Lazarus new colossus huddled-starving-masses poem is a popular Sanskrit hymn “sarve bhavantu sukhinah” of obscure origin May All be Happy, May All be Free from Illness. May All See what is Auspicious, May no one Suffer. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
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