Det moderne INDIA

When India 🇮🇳 dominated the world. Finally - released this week. William Dalrymple´s book «The Golden Road» is here. This is the book about the 1500 years of world history when ancient Indian transformed the world. Its hard to underestimate how Western scholars suppressed the history of India. When I studied history at the University of Oslo we were thought about Greece and Rome and the modern history of Western Europe. We read not a word about India. Or China. It was called «world history». 😡 Dalrymple brings back the real old world. From 250 before Christ to 1200 after Indian art, religion, technology, literature and mathematics had profound influence from Bali to Europe. It was a conquest of ideas and language, not so much by arms. Hinduism and Buddhism became the dominate religions over vast areas. The largest religious structure in the world is Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It’s hindu. The old capital of Thailand was named after Ayodha. Indian mathematics spread to the West and was misnomed as «Arab numbers». Trade with India made Rome rich. Sanskrit and Tamil language had huge influence. Dalrymple sets history straight, with India as a center. Added its a fun and entertaining read. Run and buy!

How amazing when an Indian 🇮🇳 river is brought back to life. Big kudos to Natasha Zarine and all the other extraordinary people in the Kham River Restoration Mission who have made a tangible difference in Chhatrapati, Maharashtra. 1.3 million residents now have access to a safe, biodiverse riverfront. Over 54 acres of riparian zone have been cleaned and restored, bringing new life to what was once a heavily polluted area. EcoSattva with local government and private partners, have revived 11 freshwater springs and planted 94,000 saplings, contributing to a thriving local ecosystem. Huge social impact also! By integrating 25,000 households into waste collection services and providing safe livelihoods for 32 waste pickers, they are creating a more inclusive and resilient city. This is such a powerful example of what can be achieved through sustained commitment and community engagement! Please be inspired!

🇮🇳 Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳 I had a wonderful morning in Pune. C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Govenor of Maharashtra, invited me to the flag hoisting ceremony at Raj Bhavan and at the Council Hall. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and many leaders from the state were present, with numerous officials and ordinary citizens. Its 77 years of independence today. Its a lot to celebrate. The nation is stronger, richer, happier, more self confident. But today is also a day to look ahead - to the great challenges of the 21st century - peace, economy, ecology. Happy Independence day to everyone!

Focus on India´s 🇮🇳 green leadership in Norwegian 🇳🇴 Parliament. India provided outstanding leadership to G20. Bharat will soon be the second largest solar nation in the world. Huge renewable projects are on the way in the deserts of Gujarat, at the coast of Tamil Nadu, at rivers in Madhya Pradsh and in many other states. Telangana has increased the tree cover with 7% and the number of tigers in India is doubled. Prime Minister Modi just launched plan for 10 million roof top solar homes. WOW! These and other green achivements of Bharat was higlighted at inspiring event in Norwegian parliament. India is now a global green leader. Great turn out of business leaders at the event! Per Niederbach Murali Srinivasan, SENATOR Dr. PKC BOSE Anilesh Mahajan Sverre Alvik Kjetel Digre Ajit Krishnan Eugenio Longo Dilek Ayhan Heidi Furustøl Kathrine Sund-Henriksen Vandit Verma Subodh Narain Agrawal and many others made impressive inputs. Warm thanks to my good friend from the wrong party, Himanshu Gulati, who hosted us in my old work place, the Parliament. Thanks to Rina Sunder who brought us togehter with her pure will power. And to ambassador Acquino Vimal who dilligently drives better India - Norway relations by the day. How lucky we are that India has sent one of its finest diplomats to Oslo!