THE PLACE AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SHORT STORY IN TODAY’S LITERATURE 

Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute

Faculty of Philology and Social Sciences

1st year student

of the Uzbek language and literature

Bakhtiyorova Zakro Farkhod qizi

bakhtiyorovazakhro1@gmail.com

 Phone: (+998) 77 219 02 28

Abstract: The article analyzes the role and historical significance of the short story genre, one of the genres of fiction, in fiction today from a historical, literary and theoretical perspective. It sheds light on the formation and development of the short story genre, as well as its inextricable connection with religious, historical and educational sources. In particular, the role of the short story traditions in classical literature, including the work “Qissasi Rabguziy” in the development of the genre, is considered separately. The study substantiates the role of short stories in preserving historical memory, forming a moral and aesthetic ideal, and understanding national identity with the help of scientific evidence. It also analyzes the transformation of the short story genre in modern fiction, the processes of renewal in its compositional and methodological features.

Keywords: stories, historical, significance, contemporary fiction, spiritual nourishment, human qualities, linguistic theory, stories mentioned in the Holy Quran.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, for lovers of fiction, each work has its own unique charm and unique harmony of meaning. Such works, with their aesthetic richness and spiritual maturity, gently touch the heartstrings of the reader, give them a good mood, make them laugh, inspire them, teach them to look at life in a new way, to be loving to those around them. At the same time, with their underlying meaning, they lead to moral perfection. Most of such masterpieces are written in the short story genre. When did the short story genre originally appear? Who were the first to create in this genre? What is the purpose of writing short stories? What spiritual nourishment can be obtained from the short stories being written today? To find answers to such questions, we need to look at history.

The historical significance of short stories and their place in the present day are very important for us. A number of stories are narrated in the work of Nasuriddin Rabguziy, “The Story of Rabguziy” and in the Holy Quran. This study serves to shed light on the moral ideas in these stories and to reveal their intended purpose. In addition, it also conducts research on the language of the work from a linguistic perspective.

REVIEW OF USED LITERATURE

 Over the past 5 years, especially in 2024-2025, the genre of the story has been actively studied in literary studies, new interpretations and methodological approaches are being developed. Azimov.A. cites the following information in his dissertation: Current Uzbek stories have been studied by many literary scholars. These include scientific studies such as S. Mamajonov’s “Uslub jilolari”, U. Normatov’s “Ufqlari nasrimiz”, A. Rasulov’s “Ardoqli adib”, H. Umurov’s “Kahramonning man’ami olam i epiclik” (The Spiritual World of the Hero and Epicism). The methodological basis of the work is theoretical works created on literary works, published works on the nature of the short story genre and the spiritual world of the creator. The work mainly uses descriptive analysis, and in some cases comparative analysis methods.

This scientific work examines the ideological and aesthetic assessment of contemporary Uzbek short stories, the study of the objective and subjective aspects of the characters in the stories, the portrayal of the characters’ psyche, the extent to which contemporary writers have been able to reflect life in a work of art, and the transformation of life’s conflicts from a social phenomenon into an artistic phenomenon based on contemporary Uzbek short stories.

Ulugbek Hamdam, in his article entitled “The Interpretation of Morality in the Poetics of the Story in Subconscious Experiences,” makes the following points: “When analyzing a work of art, we either do not see or cannot see the presence of the author’s personality along with the participating characters. In works of art, the image of the author is manifested in the style of narration, the language of the work, and the methods of depiction. In a word, the image of the author consists of his aesthetic perceptions, thinking, ideology, the objects depicted, and his vices, which are vividly expressed in the work.”

Annayev Davlat Ismatovich, a 1st-year master’s student in the field of literary studies and Uzbek literature at Termez State University, provides the following information in his article entitled “The uniqueness and genre composition of the work “Qissasi ar-Rabguziy”: The first writer in the history of Turkic literature to start creating stories from narratives and stories in prose was Nasuriddin Burhoniddin Rabguziy. Only the work “Qissasi Rabguziy” (1309-1310) has survived to us. The work was written by order of the Muslim Mongol bey Nasuriddin Toqboga. The book is written in Turkic, mainly in prose, with hymns, summaries of some stories, lyrical experiences and the final part in verse.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

 It is known that the work “Qissasi Rab’guziy” is the first work in the genre of short stories written in prose. This work is very rich in spiritual terms, it covers a wide range of moral issues, and many stories mentioned in the Holy Quran are also given in this work, which both in history and today contribute to the education of the reader’s soul and the ability to control his soul, to distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful, and to reveal how bad envy is and that no human child can achieve salvation through it. The stories in the work, such as “Ibrahim alayhis-salamu wa Maa Namrud alayhil la’ana” about Abraham and the infidel king Namrud, “Ya’qub alayhis-salamu” about Jacob, who was an example of patience for all people, and “Yusuf Siddiq alayhis-salamu” about his son Joseph and his brothers who were always jealous of him, always serve as an example for us in terms of human qualities.

In addition, from the point of view of linguistics, a large part of this invaluable national heritage is attributed to V.V. Radlov, V. Thomsen, P.M. Melioransky, S.E. Malov, V.L. Kotvich, A. Fon, Gaben, G. Ramstedt, A.N. Kono

LIST OF REFERENCES USED:

1. Rabguziy, Nosuriddin Burhoniddin. “The Story of Rabguziy” (Editor N.A. Asilova; Foreword by E. Fozilov). K.I. – T.: Writer, 1999.-240p.: illustration)

Inv. In front of: Institute of Manuscripts named after H. Sulaymanov of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

2. Professor of Chirchik State Pedagogical University, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Ulugbek Hamdam: “Interpretation of morality in the poetics of the story in the subconscious experiences”, p. 23.

3. Jabborov E. Folklore: image and interpretation.-Karshi: Nasaf, 1999.

4. Hamdamov U. Loneliness.-Tashkent: Yangi asr avlod, 2019

5. Muhammadjon Xolbekov. Landscapes of 20th-century modern literature. A progressive interpretation of 20th-century modernist prose Source taken from www.kh-davron.uz. 2018.

6. Azimov.A. Dissertation for the degree of Master on the topic “Artistic features of modern Uzbek stories”. Andijan 2021. 5 pages.

Diaspora

when you are a tree without any roots you fall right over

and fall here and there and there and here

turning over and over without roots

till your neighbors run out with pots of soil

we are each other’s roots

Of Glasses and Poems

If I were not a poet,

I would be a glassblower.

The disciplines share a logic:

Heat.

Restraint.

Calibrated breath.

Unstable materials must first be tamed,

Then persuaded into a desired form.

Sand enters fire.

Language enters breath.

In each case, raw resistance must be guided,

not forced.

What slowly emerges as fragile

Is the lovechild of reason, faith, and science —

An interplay of delicate opacity with force,

Or, of primeval obstinacy with light

Where elements that do not agree must interact and hold — 

Until they meld for eternity.

Evolutionist nightmare: creation at its most exacting —

Less of mortal manipulation

than Divine expression.

Bionote: 
Emeniano Acain Somoza, Jr. considers himself the official spiritual advisor of his roommates, Gordot and Dwight – the first a goldfish, the other a Turkish Van cat. His works have been published in The Poetry Magazine, Moria Poetry Journal, Fogged Clarity, Everyday Poem, Loch Raven Review, The Buddhist Poetry Review, The Philippines Free Press, Troubadour 21, Full of Crow, Indigo Rising, Asia Writes, Triggerfish Critical Review, Troubadors 21, Gloom Cupboard, TAYO, Haggard & Halloo, and elsewhere. His first book, A Fistful of Moonbeams, was published by Kilmog Press in April 2010. His second, Kleenex Theory, published by Createspace-Amazon, came out in 2015. He is busy anthologizing emptiness and boredom at the moment.

Motivation and Discipline as Key Drivers of Achieving Personal Goals

Boymirzayeva Dilrabo

1 st year student of University of World Economy and Diplomacy

E-mail: d1lrab0ym1rzayeva@gmail.com

Tel: + 998 99 098 51 01

Supervisor: A. Kh.Aripov

Associate Professor of the Department of Uzbek and Russian Languages,

PhD University of World Economy and Diplomacy

mumtozim@mail.ru

Abstract : This article explores the role of motivation and discipline in achieving personal goals. While motivation provides the initial drive, discipline ensures consistency and long-term commitment. The paper analyzes how internal motivation and self-discipline interact, highlights common challenges in maintaining goal-oriented behavior, and presents practical strategies supported by statistical data. The study emphasizes that sustainable success is built not on temporary inspiration, but on structured habits and personal responsibility. 

Key words :  motivation, discipline, personal goals, self-development, consistency

Shaxsiy maqsadlarga erishishda motivatsiya va intizomning o‘rni

Dilrabo Boymirzayeva

Jahon iqtisodiyoti va diplomatiya universiteti 1-kurs talabasi

Elektron pochta: d1lrab0ym1rzayeva@gmail.com

Ilmiy rahbar: A. X. Aripova

O‘zbek va rus tillari kafedrasi dotsenti, PhD

Jahon iqtisodiyoti va diplomatiya universiteti

mumtozim@mail.ru

Annotatsiya : Ushbu maqolada shaxsiy maqsadlarga erishishda motivatsiya va intizomning ahamiyati tahlil qilinadi. Motivatsiya insonni harakatga undovchi kuch bo‘lsa, intizom ushbu harakatni davomli va barqaror qiladi. Maqolada ichki motivatsiya, o‘zini boshqarish, odatlarni shakllantirish va natijaga erishish jarayonlari misollar asosida yoritiladi. Tadqiqot shuni ko‘rsatadiki, muvaffaqiyat tasodif emas, balki ongli tanlov va qat’iyat mahsulidir.

Kalit so‘zlar: Motivatsiya, intizom, shaxsiy maqsadlar, o‘zini rivojlantirish, barqarorlik

Роль мотивации и дисциплины в достижении личных целей

Дилрабо Боймирзаева

Студентка 1 курса Университета мировой экономики и дипломатии

E-mail:d1lrab0ym1rayeva@gmail.com

Научный руководитель: А.Х.Арипова

доцент кафедры Узбекского и русского языков, PhD

Университета мировой экономики и дипломатии

mumtozim@mail.ru

Аннотация : В данной статье рассматривается значение мотивации и дисциплины в процессе достижения личных целей. Мотивация выступает источником первоначального импульса, тогда как дисциплина обеспечивает устойчивость и регулярность действий. В статье анализируются внутренние факторы самоконтроля, формирование привычек и личная ответственность как основа долгосрочного успеха.

Ключевые слова: Мотивация, дисциплина, личные цели, саморазвитие, устойчивость

Introduction: 

   In modern society, achieving personal goals has become increasingly challenging due to constant distractions and high expectations. Many individuals start their journey with strong motivation yet fail to maintain progress over time. This raises an important question: what truly determines success? This article argues that while motivation initiates action, discipline sustains it. Understanding the balance between these two elements is essential for long-term personal development

Motivation as a Starting Force: 

   Motivation is the psychological energy that pushes an individual toward a desired outcome. It can be intrinsic, driven by personal values and satisfaction, or extrinsic, influenced by rewards or social recognition. Intrinsic motivation is generally more sustainable, as it aligns with a person’s identity and long-term aspirations. However, motivation is often unstable and influenced by emotions, environment, and temporary circumstances

Discipline as a Stability Mechanism: 

   Discipline is the ability to act consistently regardless of emotional state. Unlike motivation, discipline does not rely on mood or inspiration. It is built through routines, self-control, and conscious decision-making. Individuals who develop disciplined habits are more likely to continue working toward their goals even during periods of low motivation.

Statistical Example and Explanation:   

   According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, individuals who rely primarily on habits rather than motivation are 40% more likely to achieve long-term goals. This statistic demonstrates that discipline-based systems, such as daily routines and measurable plans, significantly increase the probability of success by reducing dependence on emotional motivation

Continuation of the Article:

   Combining motivation and discipline creates a powerful framework for personal growth. Motivation provides direction, while discipline ensures execution. When individuals learn to act first and wait for motivation later, productivity and confidence increase. Over time, disciplined actions reinforce motivation, creating a positive feedback loop.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, motivation and discipline are not opposing forces but complementary elements of success. Motivation ignites the desire to change, while discipline transforms that desire into results. True achievement comes from understanding that progress depends not on how one feels, but on how consistently one acts. Developing discipline allows individuals to move forward even when motivation fades.

 References: 

1. Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance.
2. Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits.
3. American Psychological Association. (2021). Motivation and Habit Formation Studies.
4. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation.

Shavkatova Mohinabonu Oybek qizi

Uzbekistan state world languages university

The student of group of 2517

The role of public transportation in improving tourism in Uzbekistan 

Shavkatova Mohinabonu Oybek qizi student of the Uzbekistan state world language university

Scientific adviser: Zulxumor Xatamovna Bannopova senior teacher of State world language university

Annotation

      This article examines the critical role of public transportation in enhancing tourism in Uzbekistan. It highlights three key aspects: accessibility and convenience for tourists, economic and social benefits, and sustainable tourism development. Drawing on the works of C. Michael Hall (2010) and Stephen Page (2009), as well as policy reports by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2013; 2019), the study demonstrates that efficient public transport systems increase tourist mobility, promote regional economic growth, support social inclusion, and preserve cultural and natural heritage. The article argues that strategic investment in eco-friendly and well-integrated transport infrastructure is essential for Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in the global tourism market and for fostering responsible and sustainable tourism development.

Keywords: Public Transportation, Tourism Development, Accessibility, Economic Benefits, Social Benefits, Sustainable Tourism, Policy and Planning, Uzbekistan, Eco-friendly Transport, Cultural Heritage

Introduction

Tourism has become one of the key drivers of economic growth and cultural exchange in Uzbekistan. As the country continues to open its doors to international visitors, the development of effective infrastructure has gained increasing importance. Among various factors, public transportation plays a central role in shaping tourists’ experiences by determining how easily and efficiently they can access destinations. A reliable and well-organized public transport system not only improves accessibility and convenience for tourists but also generates significant economic and social benefits while supporting sustainable tourism development. Therefore, examining the role of public transportation is essential to understanding how tourism in Uzbekistan can be strengthened in the long term.

1. Accessibility and convenience for tourists 

A well-developed public transportation system is a fundamental factor in improving accessibility for tourists in Uzbekistan. Efficient railway networks, urban metro systems, and intercity bus services enable visitors to travel comfortably between major destinations, reducing dependence on private transport and minimizing travel-related difficulties. High-speed rail connections such as Afrosiyob significantly reduce travel time and encourage tourists to explore multiple regions within a limited period, thereby enhancing the overall tourism experience. Moreover, clear transport routes, improved service quality, and the availability of multilingual information systems increase convenience for international visitors. As a result, effective public transportation not only improves tourist mobility but also increases Uzbekistan’s competitiveness in the global tourism market by making the country more accessible, attractive, and tourist friendly. Hall, C. M. (2008). Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships. Pearson Education.

Inside the ‘black box’ of tourism planning and policy: setting a context

Tourism is now a major area of academic, government, industry and public concern. While it is now an oft-cited truism that tourism is the world’s largest industry, tourism is significant not just because of its size in terms of the number of people travelling, how many people it employs, or how much money it brings into a destination. Tourism is significant also because of the enormous impact it has on people’s lives and on the places in which they live, and because of the way in which tourism is itself substantially affected by the world around it.

The World Tourism Organization’s (1997, 2001, 2006a) forecasts predict that by 2020 international arrivals will reach nearly 1.6 billion. Of these worldwide arrivals in 2020, 1.2 billion will be intraregional and 378 million will be long-haul travellers. By 2020 the top three receiving regions will be Europe (717 million tourists), East Asia and the Pacific (397 million) and the Americas (282 million), followed by Africa, the Middle East and South Asia (Table 1.1).

International tourism flows and patterns do not occur randomly. They are the result of a number of factors including economic growth, cultural factors and access to transport. However, most importantly for the purposes of this book, they are also the result of the activities of states and their policies and planning strategies and behaviours. For example, at the most basic level international travel requires a policy decision with respect to the agreement of a state to allow entry. Nowhere in international law is there en-shrined a right to enter foreign spaces. Even the non-binding Universal Declaration of Human Rights only postulates a right of exit and entry to one’s own country (article 13) (Hall 2006c). Indeed, the right to control and restrict entry into state territory as well as to determine where people can travel within a country has ‘historically been viewed as inherent in the very nature of sovereignty (Collinson 1996: 77).

This chapter will set part of the context for the book by overviewing some of the key concepts of ‘planning’ and ‘policy’ and the relationships between them, as well as discussing the concept of tourism utilised in this book. The chapter will then go on to sketch the scope of tourism planning before briefly outlining the remainder of the book. 

2. Economic and social benefits (Policy and development focus)

Efficient public transportation systems generate significant economic and social benefits that extend beyond the tourism sector. From a policy and development perspective, improved transport infrastructure facilitates greater tourist mobility, leading to increased spending across various regions. This stimulates local economies by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, including hotels, restaurants, and cultural services. In addition, public transportation development creates employment opportunities and encourages balanced regional growth by improving access to remote and less-developed areas. Socially, enhanced mobility strengthens social inclusion by connecting communities with economic and cultural centers, while also improving the quality of life for residents. Consequently, investment in public transportation serves as a strategic policy tool that supports sustainable economic development and long-term tourism growth. Stephen Page Page, S. J. (2009). Transport and Tourism: Global Perspectives. Even though there is an ongoing controversy over the extent to which tourism can be defined as both an industry and a service activity (see Leiper 2008 for example), 

it is widely recognised that tourism combines a broad range of economic activities and services designed to meet the needs of tourists. It is also evident from some of the recent studies of air transport (e.g. ATAG 2000, 2008; Graham et al. 2008) that the tourism sector is a broad, all-encompassing term which includes accommodation, catering, transport and ancillary services. Therefore, using the term tourism can tend to obscure the wider significance of the transport sector in tourist travel due to the tendency to generalise its role and significance. For example, Figure 1.1 shows that if one looks at the air transport sector as a component of this wider tourism sector, it is a complex amalgam of interests comprising producers and consumers, of which the airline industry includes a wide range of stakeholders.

The same can be said for other transportation sectors that are involved in transporting tourists or in the mobility of tourists. Likewise, if one then considers the interrelationship between air transport and tourism from an economic perspective (Figure 1.2), the wider significance of direct tourist spending on transport and the indirect benefits in terms of employment and other spin-offs is self-evident. All too often there is a tendency by analysts and researchers to overlook these fundamental relationships that become more obvious when an economic perspective is taken and critical relationships between consumers and producers are highlighted.

Consequently, transport provides the essential link between tourism origin and destination areas and facilitates the movement of holidaymakers, business travellers, people visiting friends and relatives and those undertaking educational and health tourism. Transport is also a key element of the ‘tourist experience’ (Pearce 1982; Moscardo and Pearce 2004) and some commentators (e.g. Middleton 1988; Tourism Society 1990) view it as an integral part of the tourism industry. 

3. Sustainable Tourism Development (Strategic Importance)

Sustainable tourism has become a strategic priority for countries aiming to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. According to C. Michael Hall (2010), the development of eco-friendly public transportation systems is essential for reducing the environmental impact of tourism, particularly in historically significant and ecologically sensitive areas. Efficient public transport minimizes private vehicle use, reduces traffic congestion, and lowers carbon emissions, thereby protecting cultural heritage and natural resources. Stephen Page (2009) emphasizes that sustainable transport not only supports environmental goals but also enhances the long-term attractiveness of destinations by improving the quality of the tourist experience.

Furthermore, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2019) highlights that integrating sustainable transport strategies into tourism planning strengthens regional development, promotes social inclusion, and ensures economic benefits are maintained over time. In the context of Uzbekistan, prioritizing sustainable public transportation is therefore a crucial policy measure that can support responsible tourism growth, safeguard the country’s unique cultural and natural heritage, and enhance its global competitiveness as a tourism destination. Hall, C. M. (2011).

Policy Responses to Tourism Sustainability. Policy problem attributes of sustainable tourism. Sustainability is a meta-policy problem that has led to new institutional arrangements and policy settings at international, national and local scales. Sustainable tourism is a sub-set of this broader policy arena with its own specific set of institutions and policy actors at various scales as well as being a sub-set of tourism policy overall.  

It has long been recognised that the various elements of sustainability affect the capacity of public policymaking to provide effective sustainable tourism outcomes (e.g. Bramwell & Lane, 1993; Butler, 1991; Hall & Lew, 1998; Wheeler, 1993). Yet, despite the length of time the policy problem attributes of sustainability have been recognised, there appears little advance in making the sustainability of tourism more tractable to solution. Several reasons for this can be advanced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, public transportation plays a pivotal role in enhancing tourism in Uzbekistan by improving accessibility, providing economic and social benefits, and promoting sustainable development. As C. Michael Hall (2010) emphasizes, well-planned transport infrastructure not only facilitates tourist mobility but also supports regional economic growth and preserves cultural heritage. Stephen Page (2009) highlights that eco-friendly and efficient public transport enhances the overall tourist experience, encourages longer visits, and increases expenditure across local businesses. Furthermore, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO, 2019) stresses that integrating sustainable transport strategies into tourism planning reduces environmental impacts, strengthens social inclusion, and ensures long-term economic benefits. Therefore, strategic investment in public transportation should be a central policy priority for Uzbekistan, as it can improve the country’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination while fostering responsible and sustainable growth.

Reference:

1. Hall, C. M. (2008). Tourism Planning: Policies, Processes and Relationships. Pearson Education.

2. Page, S. J. (2009). Transport and Tourism: Global Perspectives.

3. Hall, C. M. (2011). Policy Responses to Tourism Sustainability

Chirchik State Pedagogical University

Faculty of Tourism 1st-year student

Father – Love Spoken in Silence

       My father never speaks much, yet his silence becomes the most reliable presence in our home. In the morning, he closes the door quietly as he leaves for work, and in the evening, he places his shoes neatly in their place. The order he maintains, even on the table, reflects his strong inner discipline. This silence does not feel cold; instead, it creates a sense of stability and reassurance. For my father, life is not expressed through loud words. He values action over speech and sees being a father not as a special status, but as a continuous responsibility. He never feels the need to highlight his efforts, because fulfilling his duties is simply a natural part of who he is.

      My father gives little advice, but every word he says is meaningful and timely. He allows me the freedom to choose while gently guiding my path, showing trust rather than control.

      As time passes, I understand more clearly that my father’s quiet nature comes not from indifference, but from inner calm. He chooses to bring peace into the family and carry worries on his own shoulders, protecting us from unnecessary anxiety. Sometimes I study his face and find support in his thoughtful seriousness and stability. He teaches not through long speeches, but through his actions. His life feels like a lesson written in silence yet filled with deep meaning and quiet strength.

      Today, I know that a father’s love is not always openly expressed. It often lives in quiet care, constant responsibility, and the unspoken words that shape a child’s life.

THE COSMIC REGENERATION OF MANKIND

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand

[India]

The Great Disconnect

Heart is the radioactive matter placed inside the body of every living being, which receives and radiates messages to the cosmic divine.  In fact, we are, all the time, connected with supernal forces, through our breath, and we are a part of the manifestation of God’s creative magic. The scriptures want us to realize how we are a part of the cosmos, and how we should act, so that we respect that eternal bond. Education is meant to give us light, in which we could see, what we are, and where we stand, and what is the surrounding reality, and how we should relate to it meaningfully. But, education has gone overboard, and overreached its ends, so that now man thinks he can outdo his creator. Science and technology are treated as challenges to the divine authority. 

There is immense knowledge in the vaults of the earth, but it is not available to men in its entirety because earth reveals its mysteries only to people who have the capability to assimilate, and look beyond their self, and see the overflowing reality. The cosmos tests the beneficiaries of its intellectual affluence, and very few stand the severe test of elements, which ensure that after getting knowledge, it will be used, not for the gratification of one person, but for the betterment of the creation. This is the point at which most of the seekers falter and lose to infernal forces. Divinity does not trust people who show lack of higher purpose and whose passion has no higher perspective. That is why, whatever more or less knowledge we have, it is being directed towards destruction of nature and ultimately, man will land himself in a state where he will die of suffocation as the clean air will not be available for breathing. 

This is how education and limited understanding of scriptures has brought us to a situation in which we are in a state of disconnect. We have our own wisdom which is in contention with the divine wisdom. Today men believe that man is born to live for himself, and die for himself, in utter disregard of any higher purpose. Struggle for existence signifies man’s struggle for survival. But now that we have survived so many onslaughts, we have to contend with the unfolding reality of how to live? How to make our life meaningful. We have to think of beauty, decency, goodness and our commitment to the divine for promoting the welfare of the cosmic community going beyond the idea of humanism.

Post Connect 

The world that thought from the heart, and felt from the mind, the world of unified sensibility which T.S. Eliot talks of, has been buried deep in the opaque layers of history. This is the world which only thinks with its mind, which is trained in such a way that it is focused on the elevation of the self. Education now serves to sever a young man’s connection from the society around, and turn all his passions inside, so that he starts thinking nothing matters except the package and then the apex of success. This is not expected from people with a universal consciousness. Rather, it is the rotten mental stuff which will infect the whole lot. Pitiably, we have got millions of teachers now trained in this passion for self-possession, who are imparting tips to the young through videos on you tube, how to serve their self, become rich, and land astronomical packages. And, I have no hesitation in saying, cheating, double dealing, and fraud are tricks in trade, and they are not considered outlandish for this society nurtured on moral complacency. 

Decyphering Disconnect 

The societies are crying hoarse in the name of culture. But folk dresses, folk dances, and folk songs end up only to lend a spectacular splendour only. At heart, nobody looks back. Efforts at cultural revival are proving counter-productive and blowing hot and cold at the same time. Young men in colleges who love modern life, its chores and its thrills, when don traditional dresses, only present a false spectacle of love for the things gone by. Who wants to go back to times of the bullock cart age which is being idealized in our revivalists songs? It is only noise and clutter in the music albums or in social media. Nobody wants to lead a life without a mobile phone. Farmers know their youngsters don’t like to work in the fields, rather they prefer to mortgage their lands, and migrate to cities and enjoy making films on culture. A culture which they have deserted. The culture of parents, village, the water tank, animals. So, what I want stress here is: it has caused a disconnect between what we are and what we profess to be. The electronic songs won’t salvage our condition in which we do not believe. 

The same disconnect is evident in the case of religion also. Look at Youtube and the deluge of the holy hymns being played.  In spite of such an electronic spurt in religious activity, the religious content in human life is on the decline. People who are truly religious believe in a life of piety, humility, compassion, and honesty. But the men we meet who often visit shrines are just the reverse. What is the reason? Even in religious orders, we see instances of indecent behaviour. The idea of righteous living, which means ethical conduct, has disappeared from the life of these people. 

Let me revert to my statement in the beginning of this article, that our hearts are radioactive, and we connect with the divine through our breath, which is a part of the cosmic equipment. We are a part of the spectacle, and the manifestation. So long as our heart is involved in an activity, it is radiated to the cosmos, and Gods listen to our prayers. And they do respond.  But, look at what is going on now. Instead of our heart, instead of our consciousness , it is the TV which is singing religious songs, and those who sang these songs have already made a lot of money. We have lost our connect with the divine, and all our actions aimed at pleasing gods are just playing to the gallery. Contentless. That is why, all our prayers go unheeded. We play games with divine forces and disregard all our cosmic responsibilities.  And this process of disunification is going on at a faster speed. We think we have accumulated knowledge.  I think this knowledge has hastened our fall. All our actions now onwards, when we are overusing knowledge, overplaying our wisdom, we are actually overreaching ourselves. The breakup with the divine is complete and absolute. 

Cosmic Regeneration of Mankind 

Here, the role of literature gains significance. What time has not corrupted is the essential wisdom of the Vedas. The Prophets still say what they said, unaffected by the currents of time. The great poets and scholars and philosophers still stand aloft, no matter how great the storms in the oceans of time were. The wisdom of humanity still remains ingrained in our scriptures. Only the teachers can check this drift of mankind into the ocean of nothingness. It is not enough to dissect the malaise; there have been scholars who have very effectively diagnosed the social issues. In fact, time has come when the philosophers take the lead, and followed by writers, they should impact the thought processes of the upcoming generations, to weed out ambition, and criminal psychology. Scientists who are working with technology and creating new inventions like the AI need to be informed by the saner elements to stop the research which can lead to the extinction of human life. 

The message is very clear. If philosophers and scientists do not come together to halt this suicidal march, there is no hope for mankind.  That is why, I think that after the dystopian times, we need to introduce a new horizon to our life and letters. It is the new world of hope and all efforts of the writers and philosophers, and scientists and technologists should be on the cosmic regeneration of mankind. 

Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, with an opus of 200 plus books, is Laureate of the Seneca, Charter of Morava, Franz Kafka and Maxim Gorky awards, and a Permanent Senator on the International Academy of Rome.   His name adorns the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. Anand is a towering literary figure whose work embodies a rare fusion of creativity, intellect, and moral vision. He is not only one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian poetry, but a global voice, challenging readers to confront the complexities of existence while offering hope through art and ethics.