When we were students in school in the early Fifties of the last century we were brought up by our teachers with one book “ The Discovery of India” by Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Discovery of India was written by the Indian freedom fighter Jawaharlal Nehru (later India’s first  Prime Minister during his incarceration in 1942–1945 at Ahmednagar Fort in present-day Maharashtra by British colonial authorities before the independence of the country. The book was published in 1946 in India. The journey in The Discovery of India begins from ancient history, leading up to the last years of the British Raj. Nehru used his knowledge and textbooks on ancient history to introduce to the reader the development of India from the Indus Valley Civilisation, through the changes in socio-political scenario every foreign invader brought, to the present day conditions. Nehru was jailed for his participation in the Quit India Movement along with other Indian leaders, and he used this time to write down his thoughts and knowledge about India’s history. His book provides a broad view of Indian history, philosophy, and culture as viewed from the eyes of an Indian fighting for the independence of his country.

The book became the basis of the 53-episode Indian television series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), directed by Shyam Benegal, first broadcast in 1988 on state-run Doordarshan channel.

Much water has flown down the Ganges these eighty years–since The Discovery of India was published. Over a thousand books have been written on this hugely popular subject by over 100 writers. That hoary institution the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has brought out a series on this subject–the primary and most comprehensive series on Indian history and culture is the “History and Culture of the Indian People”, an 11-volume set edited by the eminent historian Dr. R.C.Majumdar.

 Other sets –equal in depth and size have been produced on this subject.

However, these are tough volumes and not for the common man.

Under such circumstances a slim volume is a good substitute and I warmly commend this bird’s eye view of Indian history and culture.

The book under review “Resilience of a Nation” by Ramachandra Rao Channapragada is only 257 pages long and has  11 chapters. It is a journey of cultural, intellectual and religious resilience of India. It is a stirring tribute to the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual strength that has defined Bharat through centuries of upheaval. Drawing inspiration from the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagavad Gita, the book traces the heroic resilience of India’s civilisation—its defenders, thinkers, saints, and ordinary citizens—who stood firm in the face of invasions, colonisation, and ideological erosion. Blending historical insight with philosophical clarity, the book urges a generation to look beyond borrowed lenses and rediscover the brilliance of Indic thought. Through engaging narratives and contemplative reflections, it shows how the timeless idea of dharma can inform ethical action, leadership, and inner strength even today. This is not just a chronicle of the past—it is a call to awaken. A call to remember who we are, what we inherited, and what we must preserve. It has been neatly divided into eleven chapters that deal with the following subjects—1.Land of illumination; 2.Foundations of Bharat ; 3.Founding Principles of our Society ; 4.The Golden Era of India ; 5.Dark Age of India ; 6.Age of Despair; 7.India awakens from Slumber; 8.The Final Countdown ;9.Education,Research and Economics in India; 10.Men and Thought in Ancient India and 11.Here the author offers a comparison with Israel.

Ramachandra Rao Channapragada is an author and cultural thinker dedicated to revitalising the timeless treasure of ancient Indic wisdom. With a Master’s degrees in Business Management, Economics, and Commerce, and a distinguished career spanning over 38 years in marketing, he has connected with thousands who take pride in India’s legacy—while recognising the urgent need to guard it against forces that seek to dilute it. Through his writing, Ramachandra strives to bridge the gap between reverence and relevance, inviting readers to rediscover the depth and modern-day significance of Indic thought. His work honours the guardians of knowledge—those who laid down their lives to uphold the freedom of India’s philosophical and intellectual traditions. The author explores contemporary issues such as ethical leadership, mindfulness, sustainability, and cultural resilience through the lens of timeless principles. His storytelling is both an homage to the past and a call to action—inviting a new generation to find meaning, direction, and strength through Bharatiya heritage. Beyond the written word, Ramachandra remains committed to the study of classical texts, open dialogue on cultural identity, and the revival of forgotten legacies that shaped the soul of a civilisation.

Resilience of a Nation is a stirring tribute to the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual strength that has defined Bharat through centuries of upheaval. The book is about India’s defenders, thinkers, saints, and ordinary citizens—who stood firm in the face of invasions, colonisation, and ideological erosion. Blending historical insight with philosophical clarity, the book urges a generation to look beyond borrowed lenses and rediscover the brilliance of Indic thought. Through engaging narratives and contemplative reflections, it shows how the timeless idea of dharma can inform ethical action, leadership, and inner strength even today.

The author has connected with thousands who take pride in India’s legacy—while recognising the urgent need to guard it against forces that seek to dilute it. Through his writing, Ramachandra strives to bridge the gap between reverence and relevance, inviting readers to rediscover the depth and modern-day significance of Indic thought. His work honours the guardians of knowledge—those who laid down their lives to uphold the freedom of India’s philosophical and intellectual traditions. Rao explores contemporary issues such as ethical leadership, mindfulness, sustainability, and cultural resilience through the lens of timeless principles. His storytelling is both an homage to the past and a call to action—inviting a new generation to find meaning, direction, and strength through Bharatiya heritage. Beyond the written word, Ramachandra remains committed to the study of classical texts, open dialogue on cultural identity, and the revival of forgotten legacies that shaped the soul of a civilisation.

P.P.Ramachandran.

28/9/2025.