The study of history is largely a waste of time since it drifts us away from addressing the challenges of the present times is one of the most debated topics today....well i must say i disagree...
History is nothing but an account of man’s actions right from primitive times till date. The study of history enables us to learn from his experiences – his successes & shortcomings.
There's a saying in English that one should learn from mistakes, but it’s not necessary that mistakes should be one’s own. The fact that history keeps on repeating itself is again an affirmation to the fact that its study enables us to better address the challenges of today. Its study enables us to view the same situation through different perspectives. In short it prepares us to face the realities of today & the challenges of tomorrow.
Many instances can be taken up where the knowledge of history has led to situations being better dealt with. For instance, Indira Gandhi’s stand on the formation of Khalistan – a country for the Sikhs. The consequences of the partition of India & Pakistan being felt even to this very day, were enough for her to counter the demand. As a result today we see that Punjab is one of the most progressive & peaceful state in India and it also has one of the highest standards of living.
Hitler’s attack on Russia is another instance. Poor Hitler had only learnt his history well he would have known of Napoleon. Hitler would have never committed the same mistake of attacking Russia in winter.
The study of history enables us to draw inspiration from the countless men & women who gave their life in fighting for a cause. Mahatma Gandhi’s doctrine of ‘ahimsa’ or non-violence is still the most effective way of curbing the menace of barbarism & terrorism. In fact it is the need of the hour. After all an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Drawing inspiration from Gandhi, his contemporaries like Martin Luther King Jr., Aung Sang Su Ki also used his doctrine and spread the word of love & peace. It may also be recalled that in medieval times King Ashoka himself sent his children to far off lands as ambassadors of peace.
Many disasters have been averted thanks to history. Today the nuclear states of the world think twice before they use these weapons of mass destruction keeping in mind the horrible consequences of the dropping of atomic bombs on Horoshima & Nagasaki which can be felt even to this day.
Thus the study of history enables us to better address the challenges of the present times and is not simply a colossal waste of time.
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