MADURAI
In the light of the findings of the archaeological excavation at Keezhadi, there is a necessity to rethink and rewrite ancient Indian history, said Sahitya Akademi-winning writer Su. Venkatesan here on Sunday.
Speaking at the ‘Eco Next’ initiative of National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) organised in collaboration with Madurai Kamaraj University here, the writer said that the hitherto upheld perception that Indian history began with Indus Valley civilisation had been challenged by the findings in Keezhadi.
Arguing that the excavation indicated the existence of a thriving urban civilisation with signs of elaborate town planning, he said that the more than 2,000-year-old civilisation also appeared to have given the utmost significance to environment.
“Vaigai is not a perennial river. While all major civilisations were near perennial rivers, the Tamil civilisation here near a non-perennial river indicates their efficient water management techniques,” he added.
Pamayan, an organic farmer, said that ancient Tamil literature was rich with references to farming techniques and water management, indicating how the people lived in harmony with the environment.
“The Kallanai (Grand Anicut) constructed by Karikala Cholan on running waters stands testimony to it,” he said.
Pamposh Kumar, Director, Mission Eco Next, NCSTC, said that the ecological intelligence of the ancient civilisations, which are frozen in time, had to be decoded and used as guidance by the present and future generations.
MKU Vice-Chancellor P.P. Chellathurai said that there was no future for the country or its people until ecological and environmental concerns were addressed. “There is a need to move towards organic farming since extensive use of chemical fertilisers has poisoned our mother earth and the food we eat,” he said.
Pointing out that the university was making its own contribution towards addressing environmental issues, he said that MKU was forming a neem tree forest, for which 12,000 saplings had already been planted. Similarly, he highlighted that the university had adopted 421 villages, where tree plantation drives and a slew of other activities were being carried out by student volunteers.
The Vice-Chancellor also expressed interest to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the NCSTC to work together on environmental issues.
S. Nagarathinam, Head, Department of Communication, MKU, said that the Eco Next initiative focussed on capacity building and skill development among youths through workshops and site visits to groom them as effective communicators on ecological issues.
R.N. Singh, Chair, Technical Advisory Committee, Mission Eco Next, V. Chinniah, Registrar, MKU, S. Jenefa, Chairperson, School of Linguistics and Communication, MKU, A. Santha, Director, Media Research Forum, and P. Sunderrajan, senior journalist, also spoke.
A visit was also organised to Keezhadi and Jain caves and sculptures near Madurai as part of the initiative.