FACT - India's Blog

Sri Sri opens first phase of Museum of Indian History - Media Coverage

2012-01-30T12:56:00.008+05:30

Lokmat, 15th January, 2012 - http://www.scribd.com/doc/79811775/Sri-Sri-opens-first-phase-of-Museum-of-Indian-History-Lokmat-1

Lokmat, 16th January, 2012 - http://www.scribd.com/doc/79811586/Sri-Sri-opens-first-phase-of-Museum-of-Indian-History-Lokmat-2

Pudhari, 15th January, 2012 - http://www.scribd.com/doc/79811256/Sri-Sri-opens-first-phase-of-Museum-of-Indian-History-Pudhari

The lessons of history

2012-01-25T13:26:00.010+05:30

Anjali Jhangiani, Mid Day, 17th January, 2012

Frenchman Francois Gautier has set up a museum that brings out the Vedic point of view of history

"From the integer zero to complex mathematical calculations and even surgical techniques, the contribution of the Vedas is integral to the entire world," claims Francois Gautier, founder of FACT foundation, an organisation that brings attention to forgotten or neglected issues through awareness campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, films and research papers on art, culture, history and human rights abuse.

The organisation has set up a museum in Wadagaon, near Marathwada Mitramandal Institute of Technology, which displays paintings, photographs and films based on themes that cover the spectrum of Indian history, from the Vedas to a peek into the future of India.

Launched on January 14, the museum is akin to an art gallery. Adjacent to the museum, there is a temple dedicated to Mata Bharati and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, as an initiative by FACT to revive the worship of Mother India and get inspired by historic personalities who have contributed to society. Pune-based architect Sheetal Harpale has designed this Sri Yantra temple. Visitors are also welcome for the aarti, which is performed at the temple at the time of opening and closing of the museum.

"Entry to the museum is free for all. The aim is to bring forth historical facts to create an awareness about heritage and history from the Vedic point of view," informs Gautier. Spread across five acres, the museum highlights several dark periods of history such as the Inquisition in Goa by the Portuguese, the Sufi persecution, the Ahmedi persecution, agitation against Buddhism, the prosecution of early Syrian Christians of Kerala and more. The aim behind showcasing the tumultuous episodes is to remind people of the consequences of division and thereby inspire a sense of brotherhood and mutual love for cultures, races and religions.

"Currently, we are displaying exhibitions based on themes revolving around Shivaji Maharaj, Hindu tolerance throughout the ages, Aryan invasion along with 10 rotating exhibitions," says Gautier.

"The rotating exhibitions will feature paintings, photographs and films from our archives at FACT. We have a team of historians in Rajasthan who commission painters to illustrate their research work on different aspects of Indian history. Now, we have displayed exhibitions on topics such as the issue of Naxalites, Kashmiri Pandits, minority communities in Bangladesh and more," he adds.

From 9 am to 6 pm, all seven days of the week. At Wadagaon Shinde, ahead of Marathwada Institute of Technology, Wadagaon, Shinde Road. Call 9970204411

Sri Sri to open first phase of Museum of Indian History

2011-12-20T15:27:00.009+05:30

Above: H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to open the first phase of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum of Indian History in Pune.

Sri Sri inaugurates Shivaji exhibition in Mumbai

2011-10-03T17:22:00.006+05:30

Above: Excerpts of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 's speech during Shivaji exhibition inauguration in Mumbai. View Exhibition Online

Sri Sri inaugurates Sikhism exhibition in LA

2011-04-19T23:18:00.012+05:30

Above: His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar inaugurating FACT - India's exhibition on Sikhism at Los Angeles Baisakhi Mela - 17th April, 2011

A Benefit Concert for Museum of Indian History

2011-04-12T15:20:00.007+05:30

(Click on image to ENLARGE)

Mata Bharati Temple in Pune - Read, Support, Spread the word!

2011-01-26T12:12:00.008+05:30

Dear Friends,

My Foundation, FACT (www.fact-india.com), is building in Pune a shrine ... dedicated to Mata Bharati, so as to revive the worship of Mother India. Indeed, till the early 20th century, India was considered as a Deity, a Living Body. But today it has gone. As a result, Indians often do not feel any particular pride in their own country and their children are even more disconnected from the idea of India.

Our architect Sheetal Harpale, of Pyramid Associates, Pune, has designed a wonderful Sri Yantra temple. From the dome, a ray of light will fall on a bronze statue of Mata Bharati endowing Shivaji Maharaj which we have commissioned from a renowned sculptor.

This unique project, which His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has agreed to inaugurate, will cost 30 lakhs. I appeal to your generosity, this temple can be YOURS.

FACT is a registered Trust with the Government of India, we have FCRA permission (to receive funds from abroad) and tax exemption. Cheques can be made in the name of FACT and sent to this address: François Gautier, Auromodel, Auroville, 605101, Tamil Nadu, via Pondichery, India. We will engrave the names of the bigger donors on one of the walls of the temple. We plan to open by the end of the year. All donors will get a receipt and a letter from FACT.

Best

Francois Gautier

Francois Gautier in Atlanta

2010-09-24T22:48:00.014+05:30

Date/Time:
Friday Oct 1, 2010 at 6.30 PM

Venue:
Café Bombay, 1622 Woodcliff Drive NE,
Atlanta, Georgia 30329,
Tel: 404-320-0229

Snacks, Dinner & one-on-one

Supported by Hindu Temple and Shiv Mandir
Sponsored by: India Awareness Foundation; 770-664-8779, 770-270-1758

Dinner with Francois Gautier

2010-09-17T11:29:00.012+05:30

(Click on image to ENLARGE)

A presentation on Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum of Indian History

Date: 28th September, 2010
Time: 7 PM
Venue: Imli, 167 Wardour St., Soho W1F 8WR
RSVP: 020 7287 4243

An Exploration into Ancient India with Francois Gautier

2010-09-17T11:29:00.005+05:30

(Click on image to ENLARGE)

An Exploration into Ancient India with Francois Gautier

Date: 24th September, 2010
Time: 7.30 - 9.00 PM
Venue: Friends's House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
RSVP: Dr. Kapil Mathur, kapil@artofliving.org

A cup of Chai and Gathia with Francois Gautier

2010-05-30T10:52:00.007+05:30

My Brothers & Sisters,

May I kindly invite you to an afternoon cup of Chai with a distinguished journalist Francois Gautier, a great friend of India and author of dozen of books on Hinduism.

Francois will talk about his initiative to build a Museum of Indian History in Pune, India.

The Museum will convey the Indian History from Vedic Period to present times.

Please make an effort to show our support for this project.

We start promptly at 4.00 pm till 6.30 pm (31st May).

Venue:
Hindu Cultural Society,
HCS Bhawan, 3 Lyndhurst Ave.,
North Finchley, London N12 0LX.

It will be friendly gathering - where you will be able to talk personally with Francois.

Namaste

Veni Vaghela

Sri Sri inaugurates exhibition on Sikhism

2010-02-15T13:25:00.013+05:30

Above: H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar inaugurating FACT - India's exhibition on Sikhism titled "Sikhs, the Defenders of Dharma" at Behala Gurdwara, Kolkata, India - 13th February, 2010. View Exhibition Online

Sikhs celebrate 500 yrs of valour

2010-02-13T10:05:00.006+05:30

Paintings depicting Guru Nanak Dev (Top) and Guru Gobind Singh’s (Above) creation of Khalsa Panth

The Times of India, 13th February, 2010

Kolkata: This weekend, over 100,000 Sikhs will converge at the Behala Gurudwara, opposite the old Mint, to celebrate 500 years of valour and sacrifice of the community for the country.

Scores of paintings depicting the onslaughts that the community has braved since the time of the first Mughal emperor Babar to the Kargil conflict, would be put up on display. Though the Behala Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee is organising the exhibition, members of all six gurudwaras of the city have helped bring this mammoth project to life.

And it all started several years ago due to the initiative of a French Indology expert Francois Gaultier.

Gaultier got initiated into Indian religions and cultures through a chance reading of the teachings of The Mother (Sri Aurobindo’s disciple), who was originally French. Soon he started travelling extensively to write on Indian religions and culture. Sikhism attracted him in particular. He even married a Sikh girl from the city. And it was through her that he came to know the Sikh community in Kolkata.

The Sikh leaders in the city decided that part of his research materials, which include rare photographs on Sikh history, should be converted into life size paintings and exhibited. Artists from across the country were roped in for the project.

One painting shows Guru Nanak Dev sitting across Babar and warning him about sinning against humanity. Another painting depicts the birth of the Khalsa Panth (1699) - an army of Sikh “saint soldiers” raised by Guru Govind Singh.

History has it that Guru Govind Singh’s two sons were buried alive under Aurangzeb’s orders. One painting shows the two innocent boys standing with their heads held high as the Mughal army builds a wall around them. Interesting depictions from the battles that King Ranjit Singh fought against the Mughals and the British, the battle of Saragarhi (1897), the non -violent protests (1921-25) which led to the passing of the Gurdwara Act 1925 are all depicted in the paintings.

“We are passing through troubled times when India is the target of terrorists. It is time to remind our community and to members of other communities how our Gurus, kings and generals sacrificed their lives and their families to protect the country,” said Satnam Singh, general secretary of the Behala Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee.

Ahilyabai's lesser known personality on display

2010-01-30T09:16:00.013+05:30

Above: School children at the exhibition

DNA, 26th January, 2010

Various facets of the personality of the warrior queen, Ahilyabai Holkar, have been projected through paintings, photographs, maps and texts at an exhibition organised by FACT - India, a non-profit trust.

The event, organised in the hall opposite Mahatma Phule Museum on Ghole Road, Pune, will continue till January 30.

Ahilyabai Holkar ruled the Malwa kingdom during the 18th century. Born in Maharashtra, she was married to Maratha sardar Khanderao Holkar. After her husbands death in a battle in 1754, her father-in-law Malharrao Holkar persuaded her to undergo training in politics and warfare. She personally led armies to battle and was known for imparting justice. She has built various temples across India.

FACT - India chose to highlight the social reformer as the organisation feels that she has not been given the recognition she rightfully deserves.

Over 40 paintings depict the childhood and main incidents of Ahilyabais life. The paintings show armed Ahilyabai leading the troops and speaks about the person she was, a warrior queen. Her childhood, training in warfare, expeditions, formation of womens army, her justice to people, emotional blows like death of her husband and son, incident when her daughter decided to do sati have been showcased through the paintings.

The maps show the various works carried out by Ahilyabai during her rule. She built numerous temples, ghats, dharmshalas, wells, tanks, and bridges all over India. The map neatly marks, where which work was taken up. The copies of letters written to Ahilyabai by her father-in-law Malharrao Holkar have also been displayed. The letters show how Malharrao trusted Ahilyabais abilities.

FACT - India was started by French journalist Francois Gautier. The trust is involved in creating awareness about terrorism and highlighting the positive aspects of India.

Brave saga of Rani Ahilyabai comes alive

2010-01-29T21:30:00.014+05:30

Above: H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar inaugurates an exhibition on Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, the warrior queen of India at Balgandharva Rang Mandir, Pune on 13th January, 2010

The Pioneer, 14th January, 2010

FACT has put together a first-of-its-kind exhibition depicting the life and times of the great warrior queen of Indore, writes Tiego Bindra

After the hugely successful exhibitions on Aurangzeb, which raised the hackles of communalists and their political mentors, and Shivaji, FACT - India has put together a fascinating exhibition on Rani Ahilyabai, the warrior queen of Indore. The show was inaugurated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Pune on Wednesday.

“I knew that Ahilyabai had built the Kashi Vishwanath temple,” said Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, “but there are many facts about her which I discovered through this exhibition, such as her being a simple girl from a village and having raised a battalion of women.” Mr Prafull Goradia, a columnist with The Pioneer and sponsor of the exhibition, pointed out that “it was not men who repaired the damages done by invaders to temples, but a woman of courage dedicated to her country”.

FACT - India is managed by François and Namrita Gautier. The acronym stands for Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism. FACT - India not only fights against human rights abuses in South Asia - whether of Ahmadi Muslims and Christians and Buddhists of Bangladesh or the Kashmiri Pandits of India - but also highlights the greatness of Indian culture.

François Gautier said, “In spite of the many abuses on Indian women widely reported, nowhere in the world have women been so honoured like in India. Half of the deities are feminine and the unique concept of Shakti honours the feminine element in all things. Countries such as France or the US never had a woman as their top leader, whereas India had Mrs Indira Gandhi ruling with a strong hand.”

India has had many female rulers, warrior women and poet queens, but Ahilyabai Holkar commands tremendous admiration for her accomplishments during her 30-year-long reign. She was noted for her piety, for her administrative ability, for her keen interest in all her people and for an extraordinary amount of building at holy sites all over the country. Visitors to Varanasi know of the golden domed temple of Vishwanath, Lord of the World, in the heart of the city.

Ahilyabai, though a queen, led a simple life as can be seen by the recount of her daily routine: She rose an hour before daybreak to say her prayers. Then she had scriptures read to her, distributed alms and gave food to a number of poor people. Her breakfast, as indeed all her meals, was vegetarian. After breakfast, she prayed again, and then took a short rest. From two to six she was in her durbar; after religious exercises and a light meal, she again attended to business from nine to eleven. She did not neglect the defence of her motherland and employed a French officer to train four battalions of her army, so as to resist the march of the English troops in Gujarat in 1780.

Her life was marked by prayer, abstinence and work, with religious fasts, festivals and public emergencies affording the only change in this routine. Her devotion was to Shiv, although she respected all religions. “Shri Shankara” appeared on all royal proclamations along with her signature. In spite of all that is known about the warrior queen and all that she has left behind - timeless testimonies to her imagination and beneficence - she has not been given the recognition that she rightfully deserves.

Sri Sri blesses Indian History Museum

2010-01-29T21:25:00.014+05:30

Above: Sri Sri planting the Peepul tree on the side of the museum on 12th January, 2010, Swami Vivekananda and Jijabai's birthdays. For the first time in the history of modern India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will get the recognition he deserves and Indian History will be portrayed as it happened, not as it has been written by mostly British historians

13th January, 2010

Pune: The Bhoomi Puja (foundation stone laying ceremony) of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum of Indian History was performed on January 12th by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Wagdaon, Pune. It was a most auspicious day as 12th is not only Swami Vivekananda’s, but also Jijabai, Shivaji’s mother’s birthdays.

We had erected a colourful pandal on top the land and laid down carpets and chairs. As Guruji arrived with a caravan of cars, the Pandits started chanting Vedic hymns. Guruji looked at the three concept panels which the architect had prepared, liked them and remarked that the roundness of the buildings would blend in the hilly terrain. He then proceeded to plan a Peepul, the tree of Knowledge, as indeed this is conceived not only as a museum of history, but also a place where students will come to browse in the libraries and scholars to fine-tune their researches.

Then Sri Sri began the puja. He made Namrita and François Gautier trustees of FACT - India (a new trustee, Mrs Gayatri Chauhan, FACT - India’s representative in Maharashtra for many years, has just been added), sit next to him. It was a moment of strong emotions and one felt that at last Shivaji Maharaj would be properly honored in his own territory and that something momentous was starting. Guruji then performed a small puja on the old stone taken from one of Shivaji’s forts, which will go in the foundation.

As Guruji left for other commitments, the four pandits continued the puja and all the Museum’s team, D. Jadeja, Namrita, François, Gayatri, Gautam and Anand, along with a few friends, sat quietly in concentration or meditation.

We now start fencing, tree planting, repair one of the abandoned small houses for a watchman and to store materials. As soon as the architect gives us the first plans, foundation will start, which should be sometimes beginning of March.

Sri Sri blesses Indian History Museum (Pictures)

2010-01-29T21:16:00.016+05:30

Above: Sri Sri looking at the concept panels

Above: Sri Sri performing Bhoomi Puja on the very spot where the museum is going to be erected

Above: Sri Sri blessing an ancient stone taken from one of Shivaji's abandoned forts. This stone will now be kept preciously and will be exhibited at the entrance of the museum

Above: Vedic Pandits complete with the Bhoomi Puja, along with FACT - India's team