Swagatakathane Sanskriti O Samaj

Colonialism brought about several radical changes in this land; at the same time, it also introduced many new ideas. Our predecessors attempted the reconstruction of the country through the ideals of *swadeshi* and *swaraj*. In doing so, they had to face numerous hardships. That period witnessed intense intellectual churning, and above all, through various processes of critique and counter-critique, we have been able to continue a successful journey up to the present. The roots of many of our problems lie in our cultural heritage, yet the solutions to those problems can also be found within the same heritage. They are embedded in the history that exists within our own personal and collective spaces. How far this work has been able to maintain balance, and how relevant it is to the present time, can be judged only by discerning readers. Nevertheless, to ensure that this work does not become a mental burden for the reader, simple colloquial language and a fair amount of humour have been used throughout. I hope you will receive this work warmly and give it a place in your list of favourites.