Rani Gaidinliu was born on 26 January 1915 at a small village in Manipur called Nungkao. She was a Naga spiritual leader inclined towards Nationalism. Rani led a revolt against British rule in India. The title Rani was given by Nehru considering her role in National Movement. Her quest began after she joined a cultural movement called Heraka of her cousin Haipou Madonang. This movement was inspired against the conversion of the Naga Tribe into Christianity by British missionaries. The other distinct feature of this movement was to please the creative spiritual force of Diety Tingkao Ragwang through the truth, love, and respect for the entire creation. As per her, “Loss of religion is the loss of culture, loss of culture is the loss of identity.” However, the Heraka Movement always tried innovation and reforms in their own ways. Their innovation and reforms teach us the valuable lesson of adaptation with time.

You can read about Alluri Sitarama Raju from here.

Gaidinliu followed some of the Gandhian principles. During initial times, she believed in not paying taxes as a rebel against the British Government. The Zeliangrong tribe came together against colonial rule. People refused to pay every fine imposed upon them under the influence of this movement. When Rani was 17, she led tactical warfare against the British in the village of Hangrum. This was creatively sound. Although, she had to escape because there were only 50-60 fighters from her side. She had to use escape routes leading to the Manipur border. On 17 October 1932, Rani was captured by Captain Macdonald. She was taken to Kohima. Later on, Rani was sentenced to life imprisonment under the Political Agent’s Court. She was young but an empowered woman because of her creativity. In 1947, after 14 years Rani was released from Prison. For her whole lifetime, she taught the principles of spirituality to the world with a united worldview. A modern form of Hereka is all about monotheism inspired by Indian Philosophy. After her lifelong dedication towards life, she left for heavenly abode on 17 February 1993 at the age of 78. Her life is an example of, how the creative forces within us and our surrounding areas can help us when we generate a talent (Prathiva). Rani through her struggles had calmed her mind so that she could share the world, knowledge of creative forces that are within us and our surroundings. 

The lessons.

There is unrest in the mind of the people. The need for a fight with that unrest has to manifest. Union of mind and body is only the weapon to fight this unrest. Patanjali also talks of Prathiva (talent and intuition) in the Yoga Sutras. With the proper practice of focus on desired stuff comes Prathiva. However, the best desire is the one that can make the country flourish through Karma Yoga. It is not elsewhere or outside. It is within us, that we can learn through Rani’s teachings. Youth must always understand the fact that everything is within themselves. There is a need for the development of proper intuition through the practice of harnessing the knowledge within our minds selflessly. This knowledge will help in the growth of the Nation as well as individuals through Karma Yoga. 

The schemes of Make in India and the theme of Atmanirbhar Bharat have the potential to transform India globally to make it a superpower. India has been a hub of Yoga for the last 5,000 years. However, today the knowledge of yoga is being used to earn millions of dollars in other countries. In the United States of America itself there are thousands of Yoga Studios helping people for being physically well. Many companies help people in learning it through mobile apps too. We need to understand that, there is nothing wrong with using the models of ‘present times’ for growth. This itself is an adaptation to a time that needs inspiration from Rani’s life and movement. 

Only the condition has to be selflessness without any expectation. As said by Gautam Buddha “No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We must walk the path.” We can use this knowledge better than any other country because this is rooted in us. Although, we also need to respect those who are sharing the knowledge of Yoga in another country from our great history to make people fit in both mind and body. 

Another potential we have is in the Ayurveda, Siddha, and other herb-based medical treatment. These are indigenous knowledge of people across India including the Tribes. For the different forms of indigenous knowledge, Rani dedicated her life. We must be proud of this indigenous heritage. Ayurveda is not only about becoming physically fit but spiritually and mentally fit for the union of mind and body. We have to understand that one of the fathers of surgery lived in our history. He is none other than Suśruta. He was born in 800 BCE at Kashi. The Suśruta-Saṃhitā has around 184 chapters that contain descriptions of 1,120 illnesses. It has a mention of around 700 medicinal plants followed by 64 different preparations from mineral sources. This book also contains 57 preparations based on animal sources. The main aim of Ayurveda is to make people live for 100 years of a fit life so that Yoga can be practiced easily and there is a union of mind and body. 

To help in maintaining a great lifestyle is the essence of Ayurveda. Modern medical sciences have been noteworthy in treating people with an immediate illness. However, Ayurveda believes in the long-term holistic treatment of individuals based on dosas (ailment) caused due to the misbalance of five elements of nature. Start-Ups related to Ayurveda have great potential to make the country fit and economically healthy. Ayurveda can work perfectly on co-existence with medical sciences. As per the market research, the Ayurveda market in India was valued at INR 300 billion in 2018. It is expected to reach INR 710 billion by 2024. If the youth of India understands the vocal for a local scheme for a great future, the revenue can be increased multifold. This vocal for local has to be implemented by utilizing our indigenous ways adapted on models of the present times. There shall be both individual growths as well as the growth of the Nation.

Another creativity is the holy places. Temples are the pride of India. In a maximum of the Puranas, there is a section mentioning the places namely Tirtha Mahatmya. These places are made for spiritual practitioners but have tourism potential also. Pilgrimage Tourism must be promoted to the fullest to share and exchange culture as well as revenue generation. India has the greatest architectural designs in the temples. The talent posed by these craftsmen can also be explored to create replicas in other places. For example, In Sikkim, the integral part of North East India, there is a replica of Char Dham, Jyotirlingas, and other temples. 

Not only in architecture, but India has been great in other forms of art also. Be it music and dancing to martial arts to handicrafts or paintings to toy making. Each one has its unique value in the globe. From the Rock Art of Indus Valley Civilization to the Contemporary modern art, we have excelled in all forms. Youths can identify the art form within localities and try to develop skill and project it to the world selflessly for the Nation’s growth. From Tripura in North East India to Gujarat in the west and from Jammu and Kashmir in North to Tamil Nadu in the South, we have different art forms having high commercial value. Each year students enrolling in art education is increasing. They are joining different institutions to improve their skills. This shows the great future scope for Artistry in India. 

These are just a few potentials of ancient Indian Intellectual Heritage. We have vast resources in this heritage enkindled by spiritual freedom heroes who fought with the dualities of mind and body as well as the duality of struggle and freedom like Rani. We have to refine our skills and use them for the benefit of the nation selflessly. This will make Bharata an economic superpower and Vishwa Guru at the same time.