In the galleries of Delhi’s historic Travancore Palace, Indian Ambassador to Spain and Andorra Jayant N. Khobragade is proving that a paintbrush can be a powerful instrument of diplomacy. His ongoing solo exhibition, Journey with the Divine Flow, curated by Gargi Seth, transforms India’s ancient civilizational wisdom into vibrant canvases, reaching hearts and minds far beyond formal negotiations.&nbsp;“Art is diplomacy, diplomacy is art,” declares the seasoned diplomat and painter, while speaking to WION. A member of the Indian Foreign Service for over 30 years, Khobragade has served in Moscow, Islamabad, Bishkek, and as Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic and ASEAN. While steering India’s diplomatic engagements, he has quietly used art to highlight civilizational bridges. Many paintings in the current show, rooted in Indian civilisation, were created during his ASEAN posting.&nbsp;“In fact, many of the paintings in this particular hall, which are connected with the Indian civilization were painted in Indonesia. I was the ambassador of India to ASEAN… I could go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I could see temples in Indonesia… It has created a deep impact on me,” he shares. “I have been visiting Ajanta, Ellora and monuments in India. But you know that connection happened, and because of that, I started doing a subject of like, civilizational connect. So I have a painting on Ramayana, and paintings on Buddha. Travel and then assimilation, those things help.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-vows-all-necessary-steps-to-stabilise-energy-markets-as-crude-oil-surges-to-116-amid-escalating-west-asia-war-1774882203136">G7 vows ‘all necessary steps’ to stabilise energy markets as crude oil surges to $116 amid escalating West Asia war</a>&nbsp;Through these works, Khobragade spreads India’s soft power. One powerful canvas shows Lord Krishna guiding Arjuna on the battlefield, emphasising Karma Yoga, performing one’s duty without attachment to results. Subtle figures of Lord Buddha and Meera Bai symbolise Jnana Yoga (wisdom) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion), presenting India’s multiple paths to spiritual liberation. Other paintings portray Buddha’s life on Vesak full moons, with eight lotuses representing the Noble Eightfold Path amid cosmic imagery.&nbsp;His artistic journey began 35 years ago. This is his 15th solo exhibition, the second in Delhi after a 1997 show at Lalit Kala Akademi inspired by Ghalib’s poetry. Since 1993, he has held 11 major solo exhibitions across Spain, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and India.&nbsp;Art, he believes, builds the personal connections essential for effective diplomacy. “I’m able to connect with the people. Like, for example, when I did an exhibition in Kyrgyzstan… then the president’s wife, she came for the inauguration. Then I did an exhibition in Jakarta, and the Minister for Culture and Creative Economy came… It’s very important for ambassadors… You have a vast circle of friends. So in that sense, this has been quite helpful to me.”&nbsp;“I have been doing exhibitions by way of that you also connect with the people,” he adds.In an age of strategic partnerships, Ambassador Khobragade shows how art quietly advances India’s civilizational narrative, turning exhibitions into platforms that celebrate shared heritage, foster goodwill, and strengthen people-to-people bonds from Madrid to Southeast Asia. &nbsp;

Through his works, Khobragade spreads India’s soft power, depicting Lord Krishna guiding Arjuna to illustrate Karma Yoga, while figures of Buddha and Meera Bai represent Jnana and Bhakti Yoga, highlighting diverse paths to spiritual liberation.

In the galleries of Delhi’s historic Travancore Palace, Indian Ambassador to Spain and Andorra Jayant N. Khobragade is proving that a paintbrush can be a powerful instrument of diplomacy. His ongoing solo exhibition, Journey with the Divine Flow, curated by Gargi Seth, transforms India’s ancient civilizational wisdom into vibrant canvases, reaching hearts and minds far beyond formal negotiations. “Art is diplomacy, diplomacy is art,” declares the seasoned diplomat and painter, while speaking to WION. A member of the Indian Foreign Service for over 30 years, Khobragade has served in Moscow, Islamabad, Bishkek, and as Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic and ASEAN. While steering India’s diplomatic engagements, he has quietly used art to highlight civilizational bridges. Many paintings in the current show, rooted in Indian civilisation, were created during his ASEAN posting. “In fact, many of the paintings in this particular hall, which are connected with the Indian civilization were painted in Indonesia. I was the ambassador of India to ASEAN… I could go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I could see temples in Indonesia… It has created a deep impact on me,” he shares. “I have been visiting Ajanta, Ellora and monuments in India. But you know that connection happened, and because of that, I started doing a subject of like, civilizational connect. So I have a painting on Ramayana, and paintings on Buddha. Travel and then assimilation, those things help.” Also Read: G7 vows ‘all necessary steps’ to stabilise energy markets as crude oil surges to $116 amid escalating West Asia war Through these works, Khobragade spreads India’s soft power. One powerful canvas shows Lord Krishna guiding Arjuna on the battlefield, emphasising Karma Yoga, performing one’s duty without attachment to results. Subtle figures of Lord Buddha and Meera Bai symbolise Jnana Yoga (wisdom) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion), presenting India’s multiple paths to spiritual liberation. Other paintings portray Buddha’s life on Vesak full moons, with eight lotuses representing the Noble Eightfold Path amid cosmic imagery. His artistic journey began 35 years ago. This is his 15th solo exhibition, the second in Delhi after a 1997 show at Lalit Kala Akademi inspired by Ghalib’s poetry. Since 1993, he has held 11 major solo exhibitions across Spain, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and India. Art, he believes, builds the personal connections essential for effective diplomacy. “I’m able to connect with the people. Like, for example, when I did an exhibition in Kyrgyzstan… then the president’s wife, she came for the inauguration. Then I did an exhibition in Jakarta, and the Minister for Culture and Creative Economy came… It’s very important for ambassadors… You have a vast circle of friends. So in that sense, this has been quite helpful to me.” “I have been doing exhibitions by way of that you also connect with the people,” he adds.In an age of strategic partnerships, Ambassador Khobragade shows how art quietly advances India’s civilizational narrative, turning exhibitions into platforms that celebrate shared heritage, foster goodwill, and strengthen people-to-people bonds from Madrid to Southeast Asia.

Through his works, Khobragade spreads India’s soft power, depicting Lord Krishna guiding Arjuna to illustrate Karma Yoga, while figures of Buddha and Meera Bai represent Jnana and Bhakti Yoga, highlighting diverse paths to spiritual liberation.

Soft power in strokes: Indian Ambassador Jayant Khobragade's art bridges Ajanta to Angkor Wat

The monkeys displaying aggressive behaviour at the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia might end up in laboratories that test on animals, a British animal protection organisation has warned. Action for Primates, or AfP, said that the monkeys might be sent to breeding farms that export animals to such labs following the census that has been announced by the government.&nbsp;

Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, in a bid to control the population of monkeys displaying aggressive behaviour, has announced that a census of the primates will be carried out in public areas. Such animals will be sent to legal breeding farms, natural habitats, or the Phnom Tamao Zoo.

An official told the Phnom Penh Post that the operation to capture the monkeys is expected to start after the Pchum Ben festival in October.

AfP says the monkeys have turned aggressive because of being treated like a tourist attraction, which has created an unnatural dependency on humans for food.&nbsp;

"Sending them to breeding farms is exceptionally cruel. The monkeys at Angkor Wat are paying the price for inappropriate and preventable human behaviour," Sarah Kite, a founder of AfP, said.

She also accused the videographers of exploiting wild monkey troops to make money.&nbsp;

<h2>Monkeys being mistreated for money</h2>

Long Kosal, deputy director general of the Apsara National Authority, responsible for the protection and management of the Angkor archaeological site, says the monkeys are being mistreated to get them on camera for online content.&nbsp;

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Videos showing the animals being mistreated are on the internet. One of them shows water being poured on a baby monkey to get his attention.&nbsp;

Kosal says that such activities are creating problems and should be discouraged. He has called on people to stop exploiting the monkeys.

“We need to find solid reasons which we can use against them not to make content by abusing the monkeys," Kosal told the Associated Press.

Animal videos are quite a hit on the internet, and more views mean more money. Nick Marx, director of wildlife rescue and care for the Wildlife Alliance, told The Independent that that is part of the problem.&nbsp;

"If people stop watching them, that would really help solve the problem of abuse," he said.

The monkeys displaying aggressive behaviour at the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia might end up in laboratories that test on animals, a British animal protection organisation has warned.

The monkeys displaying aggressive behaviour at the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia might end up in laboratories that test on animals, a British animal protection organisation has warned. Action for Primates, or AfP, said that the monkeys might be sent to breeding farms that export animals to such labs following the census that has been announced by the government. Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, in a bid to control the population of monkeys displaying aggressive behaviour, has announced that a census of the primates will be carried out in public areas. Such animals will be sent to legal breeding farms, natural habitats, or the Phnom Tamao Zoo. An official told the Phnom Penh Post that the operation to capture the monkeys is expected to start after the Pchum Ben festival in October. AfP says the monkeys have turned aggressive because of being treated like a tourist attraction, which has created an unnatural dependency on humans for food. "Sending them to breeding farms is exceptionally cruel. The monkeys at Angkor Wat are paying the price for inappropriate and preventable human behaviour," Sarah Kite, a founder of AfP, said. She also accused the videographers of exploiting wild monkey troops to make money. Monkeys being mistreated for money Long Kosal, deputy director general of the Apsara National Authority, responsible for the protection and management of the Angkor archaeological site, says the monkeys are being mistreated to get them on camera for online content. Also Read: Viral baby pygmy hippo who has inspired make-up looks, merchandise and more Videos showing the animals being mistreated are on the internet. One of them shows water being poured on a baby monkey to get his attention. Kosal says that such activities are creating problems and should be discouraged. He has called on people to stop exploiting the monkeys. “We need to find solid reasons which we can use against them not to make content by abusing the monkeys," Kosal told the Associated Press. Animal videos are quite a hit on the internet, and more views mean more money. Nick Marx, director of wildlife rescue and care for the Wildlife Alliance, told The Independent that that is part of the problem. "If people stop watching them, that would really help solve the problem of abuse," he said.

‘Exceptionally cruel’: ‘Aggressive’ monkeys of Angkor Wat might end up in test labs, org warns

A new trend of real-life running in Cambodia’s historic Angkor Wat and other temples has gone viral, inspired by the popular video game 'Temple Run'. This has left conservationists concerned about the place.&nbsp;

Conservationists&nbsp;have said that such running is denigrating the almost 900-year-old sculptures and also increasing the risk of irreparable damage.

People have been sharing their videos of running down narrow stone pathways, with sounds from the&nbsp;Temple Run video game overlapping the video, across TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms.

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Some of these videos have got more than two million views.&nbsp;

<h2>Conservationists not happy with people running in temples&nbsp;</h2>

Expressing concern over the growing trend, conservationist Simon Warrack said that the nearly millennia-old ruins at Angkor can face potential damage and added that this also portrays cultural and religious insensitivities.&nbsp;

“You wouldn’t run through St Peters in Rome or any Western church, so why is it OK to do it in Cambodia?” Warrack said, as reported by the South China Morning Post.&nbsp;

“It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over – which is real – but it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples," he added.

Warrack said he has discussed the issue with Cambodian counterparts and officials who look after the complex.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas | Should tourists be punished for over-tourism?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-should-tourists-be-punished-for-over-tourism-739373/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Angkor Wat is still deeply revered by the people. Every stone is considered to contain the spirits of the ancestors," he said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Cambodia country director of the World Monuments Fund Ginevra Boatto said, “While the trend has temporarily boosted online interest in Angkor, it’s essential to promote safe access, educational visitation, and respect for the local religious, spiritual and social significance of the sites.

She added that trends of the new visitors should be “carefully managed to prevent any negative impact."&nbsp;

Hans Leisen, who once headed a German government-funded conservation project, said, “It’s nonsense. If you’re running through the temple, you will not see the beauty of the carvings. And if you fall or stumble, you’ll touch a wall to stabilise yourself and endanger the fragile carvings.”

(With inputs from agencies)

A new trend of real-life running in Cambodia’s historic Angkor Wat and other temples has gone viral, inspired by the popular video game 'Temple Run'. This has left conservationists concerned about the place.

A new trend of real-life running in Cambodia’s historic Angkor Wat and other temples has gone viral, inspired by the popular video game 'Temple Run'. This has left conservationists concerned about the place. Conservationists have said that such running is denigrating the almost 900-year-old sculptures and also increasing the risk of irreparable damage. People have been sharing their videos of running down narrow stone pathways, with sounds from the Temple Run video game overlapping the video, across TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and other social media platforms. Also Read: Thousands take to streets in Spain to protest against mass tourism Some of these videos have got more than two million views. Conservationists not happy with people running in temples Expressing concern over the growing trend, conservationist Simon Warrack said that the nearly millennia-old ruins at Angkor can face potential damage and added that this also portrays cultural and religious insensitivities. “You wouldn’t run through St Peters in Rome or any Western church, so why is it OK to do it in Cambodia?” Warrack said, as reported by the South China Morning Post. “It’s not just potential damage to the stones by people bumping into them and falling or knocking things over – which is real – but it’s also damage to the spiritual and cultural value of the temples," he added. Warrack said he has discussed the issue with Cambodian counterparts and officials who look after the complex. Watch: Gravitas | Should tourists be punished for over-tourism? “Angkor Wat is still deeply revered by the people. Every stone is considered to contain the spirits of the ancestors," he said. Meanwhile, Cambodia country director of the World Monuments Fund Ginevra Boatto said, “While the trend has temporarily boosted online interest in Angkor, it’s essential to promote safe access, educational visitation, and respect for the local religious, spiritual and social significance of the sites. She added that trends of the new visitors should be “carefully managed to prevent any negative impact." Hans Leisen, who once headed a German government-funded conservation project, said, “It’s nonsense. If you’re running through the temple, you will not see the beauty of the carvings. And if you fall or stumble, you’ll touch a wall to stabilise yourself and endanger the fragile carvings.” (With inputs from agencies)

Tourists go for real-life 'Temple Run' in Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, experts express concern

A “rare” turtle statue was unearthed from an 800-year-old temple in Cambodia in a surprise development during escavation of&nbsp;a dried-up pond near the Bayon temple.

Bayon is an elaborate Buddhist temple built in the 12th century at the same complex that includes the iconic Angkor Wat temple.

The temple has always been a pilgrimage site for Buddhists&nbsp;but with the discovery of the statue last week, the pond site will also attract attention.

Bayon was built as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII and stands at the centre of Jayavaraman’s capital, Angkor Thom, as per Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority, which manages the complex.

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Recently, the pond situated at the Bayon temple caught the eye of archaeologists as they believe&nbsp;it holds many secrets.&nbsp;

<h2>“Rare” sandstone turtle statue found in 800-year-old temple</h2>

The sandstone turtle statue was found buried in the middle of the disappeared pond.

According to Cambodia’s Heritage Protection Police Department’s Facebook post on April 22, the statue was recovered from a depth of about five feet.

Take a closer look at the statue.
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The photo shows the dusty stone creature with a turtle’s head poking out of its shell and looking upward.

The Cambodian police said the statue measured about 22 inches in length, 17 inches in width and eight inches in height.

The exact weight of the statue is not known, but photos showed that it took three people to lift the ancient statue from the site.

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The figure “is believed to be the symbol of happiness, prosperity, and development,” Long Kosal, a spokesperson for APSARA National Authority, told Khmer Times, a Cambodian news outlet.

Archaeologists did not provide an exact age of the statue, but Kosal told Khmer Times that the dried-up pond was also built in the 12th century as part of the Bayon temple, so they believe that the statue also belongs to the same timeline.&nbsp;

“While many believed there was nothing left to find, our archaeological research has uncovered evidence that Bayon temple actually boasted two ponds on its eastern side,” Kosal told the Phnom Penh Post.&nbsp;

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Excavations of the dry pond also uncovered “thousands of pieces of ancient stone, some of which are recognised to be part of some big statues,” Kosal told Khmer Times.

The project is ongoing.

The turtle statue has been moved to the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap, police said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A “rare” turtle statue was unearthed from an 800-year-old temple in Cambodia in a surprise development during escavation of a dried-up pond near the Bayon temple.

A “rare” turtle statue was unearthed from an 800-year-old temple in Cambodia in a surprise development during escavation of a dried-up pond near the Bayon temple. Bayon is an elaborate Buddhist temple built in the 12th century at the same complex that includes the iconic Angkor Wat temple. The temple has always been a pilgrimage site for Buddhists but with the discovery of the statue last week, the pond site will also attract attention. Bayon was built as the state temple of King Jayavarman VII and stands at the centre of Jayavaraman’s capital, Angkor Thom, as per Cambodia’s APSARA National Authority, which manages the complex. Also Read | Scientists develop artificial brain cell using mix of salt and water Recently, the pond situated at the Bayon temple caught the eye of archaeologists as they believe it holds many secrets. “Rare” sandstone turtle statue found in 800-year-old temple The sandstone turtle statue was found buried in the middle of the disappeared pond. According to Cambodia’s Heritage Protection Police Department’s Facebook post on April 22, the statue was recovered from a depth of about five feet. Take a closer look at the statue. The photo shows the dusty stone creature with a turtle’s head poking out of its shell and looking upward. The Cambodian police said the statue measured about 22 inches in length, 17 inches in width and eight inches in height. The exact weight of the statue is not known, but photos showed that it took three people to lift the ancient statue from the site. Also Read | James Webb captures stunning Horsehead Nebula as ‘you’ve never seen it before...’ The figure “is believed to be the symbol of happiness, prosperity, and development,” Long Kosal, a spokesperson for APSARA National Authority, told Khmer Times, a Cambodian news outlet. Archaeologists did not provide an exact age of the statue, but Kosal told Khmer Times that the dried-up pond was also built in the 12th century as part of the Bayon temple, so they believe that the statue also belongs to the same timeline. “While many believed there was nothing left to find, our archaeological research has uncovered evidence that Bayon temple actually boasted two ponds on its eastern side,” Kosal told the Phnom Penh Post. Also Read | Lava spewing from volcano on Galápagos Islands destroying habitat of rare land iguanas Excavations of the dry pond also uncovered “thousands of pieces of ancient stone, some of which are recognised to be part of some big statues,” Kosal told Khmer Times. The project is ongoing. The turtle statue has been moved to the Preah Norodom Sihanouk-Angkor Museum in Siem Reap, police said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Rare' turtle statue unearthed from a dried-up pond at 800-year-old Cambodian temple

Claiming to be a replica of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, an under-construction temple complex in north-east Thailand has started a controversy. &nbsp;&nbsp;

As per reports, the Cambodian government looks to send archaeologists and temple architects to inspect if the site is similar to Angkor Wat or not. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious structure (temple complex) in the world by land area, is also a national symbol as it is depicted on Cambodia’s flag. &nbsp;

Watch: 'Kabuliwala' worry about their relatives in Kabul

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Saying the temple has much broader influences, Thailand authorities and the abbot behind the construction have denied trying to imitate the temple. &nbsp;

The temple is being constructed at the Sihanakhon temple complex in Buriram province. Around 100m baht (£2.25m) have already been spent on the project. &nbsp;

Buriram’s cultural official Khattiya Chaimanee said the design instead reflects the typical features of Khmer stone castles, which could be found across architecture in south Isan region, north-east Thailand. &nbsp;

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It also includes the new temple’s Naga Bridge, which is a long walkway crafted in the form of Naga, Chaimanee added. &nbsp;

The design of the temple is not an exact match. “In this temple, the temple clusters are lined up in one row, from the biggest to the smallest, which is completely different to the landscape of Angkor Wat,” said the official.&nbsp;

Claiming to be a replica of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, an under-construction temple complex in north-east Thailand has started a controversy. As per reports, the Cambodian government looks to send archaeologists and temple architects to inspect if the site is similar to Angkor Wat or not.

Claiming to be a replica of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, an under-construction temple complex in north-east Thailand has started a controversy. As per reports, the Cambodian government looks to send archaeologists and temple architects to inspect if the site is similar to Angkor Wat or not. Angkor Wat, which is the largest religious structure (temple complex) in the world by land area, is also a national symbol as it is depicted on Cambodia’s flag. Watch: 'Kabuliwala' worry about their relatives in Kabul × Saying the temple has much broader influences, Thailand authorities and the abbot behind the construction have denied trying to imitate the temple. The temple is being constructed at the Sihanakhon temple complex in Buriram province. Around 100m baht (£2.25m) have already been spent on the project. Buriram’s cultural official Khattiya Chaimanee said the design instead reflects the typical features of Khmer stone castles, which could be found across architecture in south Isan region, north-east Thailand. Also Read: British man held for injecting blood through syringes in food items in supermarkets It also includes the new temple’s Naga Bridge, which is a long walkway crafted in the form of Naga, Chaimanee added. The design of the temple is not an exact match. “In this temple, the temple clusters are lined up in one row, from the biggest to the smallest, which is completely different to the landscape of Angkor Wat,” said the official.

New Thailand temple claims to imitate Angkor Wat, sparks row

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia. It first generates the feeling of great sorrow and horror, and then of surprise that a country known for gentle conviviality and humbleness was once steeped in a situation where a section of the society killed 20 per cent of its own population within three years in the name of renewal, progress and growth.

It can be counter-argued that similar violence and killings were witnessed during Stalin's era in Russia and the Chinese Great Leap Forward as both were inspired by extreme of the Communist ideology which was hell bent on building a new society in a short span of time and had no view of an individual apart from being a component of a larger project.

I would say that the Cambodian experience was different as genocide did not take place on ethnic or religious lines like Nazi Germany or Russian pogroms. It was short and traumatic.

There are jails in Cambodia where within three years, 18,000 people were killed in the most brutal fashion. There are fields where hundreds and thousands lie buried. The regime killed between 1.7 to 2.5 million people of a population of eight million people in 1975.

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One of the reminders of brutal killings in Cambodia. (Photo: Kartikeya Sharma)

Cambodia also hides a brutal past of hunger, deprivation, bombings, lack of full democracy, and post-colonial power play. I was surprised to find out that US forces used three times more ammunition in Cambodia than what they dropped on Japan during entire World War II. The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-khmer-rouge-tragedy-rural-gulags-188313">brutal Khmer Rouge</a> got more support from international powers at UN than the people who were at the receiving end of the regime. Despite all the upheavals and one party sticking to power for last two decades, Cambodia is stable. The country has been able to address the ghosts of past by memoralising the violence akin to what Germany did after the Second World War.

Most of the museums and sites tell you about the actual stories of the killings. <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/ramayana-and-mahabharata-indias-two-oldest-and-most-durable-brand-ambassadors-188417">Tourists destinations</a> like Angkor Wat will have people playing music at open spaces who lost their limbs in war or because of buried, undiscovered bombs and land mines.

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A plaque describing how the executions were carried out.(Photo: Kartikeya Sharma)

In many places, tourists will find survivors of the genocide selling books written about them. The role of those behind the killings have been documented in great detail. Individual stories too have been given space. The evidence of violence is preserved as a reminder of the horror which Cambodia witnessed. A preface at one such genocide memorial read, "The stories of those who survived the atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge must be memoralised in public spaces beyond the court, not only for sake of justice and reconciliation but also facilitate the education of generations to come."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/cambodia-diaries-a-visit-to-the-temple-complexes-188425">Also See: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom</a>

Has India done anything of this sort? The violence during Partition was one of the biggest of its kind. Millions were massacred. But do we have a national memorial dedicated to victims of violence funded by the state where the world can see as to what happens when events like these take place?

India has seen violence along the caste, class, religion and ethnic lines throughout its existence as an independent nation state but has failed to create similar educational experience which re-tells the tales of horror and sadness. The attempt by the political parties has been either to find an enemy outside and within to build a space for collective revenge. It is for this reason that episodes like 1984 and post-Godhra violence could go out of hand. This is apart from thousands of riots and ethnic killings which has taken place across India from the North to Northeast. Instead there is a culture of looking away which has built over a period of time.

A small initiative has been taken by the Punjab government by opening a Partition museum which showcases the stories, material and documents on post-Partition violence. The museum was inaugurated last year in Amritsar but none exist at the national scale with intention to educate the coming generation.

It is obvious that India cannot build thousands of memorials and museums on riots and killings but we need our future generations to know about the threat which looms within. The threat is of underestimating the power of bias and hatred. Both are basic ingredients required to kill empathy which is the glue which binds civil society together and keeps the moral fabric functioning. The only way apathy can be broken is to remind the young generation of futility of hostility and bias in civic discourse where a section feels that the other needs to be taught a lesson.

The memoralisation of leaders and powerful figures have become a standard in Indian public life. India needs to build a memorial for those who became victim of violence right under the nose of the mighty state. We can start by putting faces to it which can be a road to healing and reconciliation.

In its absence, the memories at the national stage would either fade away or would be too scattered to have any resonance for the coming generation. India today cannot continue to take shelter behind success in organising elections every 5 years. Time has come to do more. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia.

The killing fields of Cambodia, infamous prisons like S-21 in Phnom Penh and multiple genocide memorials are one amongst many markers which tourists are exposed to when they visit Cambodia. It first generates the feeling of great sorrow and horror, and then of surprise that a country known for gentle conviviality and humbleness was once steeped in a situation where a section of the society killed 20 per cent of its own population within three years in the name of renewal, progress and growth. It can be counter-argued that similar violence and killings were witnessed during Stalin's era in Russia and the Chinese Great Leap Forward as both were inspired by extreme of the Communist ideology which was hell bent on building a new society in a short span of time and had no view of an individual apart from being a component of a larger project. I would say that the Cambodian experience was different as genocide did not take place on ethnic or religious lines like Nazi Germany or Russian pogroms. It was short and traumatic. There are jails in Cambodia where within three years, 18,000 people were killed in the most brutal fashion. There are fields where hundreds and thousands lie buried. The regime killed between 1.7 to 2.5 million people of a population of eight million people in 1975. One of the reminders of brutal killings in Cambodia. (Photo: Kartikeya Sharma) Cambodia also hides a brutal past of hunger, deprivation, bombings, lack of full democracy, and post-colonial power play. I was surprised to find out that US forces used three times more ammunition in Cambodia than what they dropped on Japan during entire World War II. The brutal Khmer Rouge got more support from international powers at UN than the people who were at the receiving end of the regime. Despite all the upheavals and one party sticking to power for last two decades, Cambodia is stable. The country has been able to address the ghosts of past by memoralising the violence akin to what Germany did after the Second World War. Most of the museums and sites tell you about the actual stories of the killings. Tourists destinations like Angkor Wat will have people playing music at open spaces who lost their limbs in war or because of buried, undiscovered bombs and land mines. A plaque describing how the executions were carried out.(Photo: Kartikeya Sharma) In many places, tourists will find survivors of the genocide selling books written about them. The role of those behind the killings have been documented in great detail. Individual stories too have been given space. The evidence of violence is preserved as a reminder of the horror which Cambodia witnessed. A preface at one such genocide memorial read, "The stories of those who survived the atrocities committed by Khmer Rouge must be memoralised in public spaces beyond the court, not only for sake of justice and reconciliation but also facilitate the education of generations to come." Also See: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom Has India done anything of this sort? The violence during Partition was one of the biggest of its kind. Millions were massacred. But do we have a national memorial dedicated to victims of violence funded by the state where the world can see as to what happens when events like these take place? India has seen violence along the caste, class, religion and ethnic lines throughout its existence as an independent nation state but has failed to create similar educational experience which re-tells the tales of horror and sadness. The attempt by the political parties has been either to find an enemy outside and within to build a space for collective revenge. It is for this reason that episodes like 1984 and post-Godhra violence could go out of hand. This is apart from thousands of riots and ethnic killings which has taken place across India from the North to Northeast. Instead there is a culture of looking away which has built over a period of time. A small initiative has been taken by the Punjab government by opening a Partition museum which showcases the stories, material and documents on post-Partition violence. The museum was inaugurated last year in Amritsar but none exist at the national scale with intention to educate the coming generation. It is obvious that India cannot build thousands of memorials and museums on riots and killings but we need our future generations to know about the threat which looms within. The threat is of underestimating the power of bias and hatred. Both are basic ingredients required to kill empathy which is the glue which binds civil society together and keeps the moral fabric functioning. The only way apathy can be broken is to remind the young generation of futility of hostility and bias in civic discourse where a section feels that the other needs to be taught a lesson. The memoralisation of leaders and powerful figures have become a standard in Indian public life. India needs to build a memorial for those who became victim of violence right under the nose of the mighty state. We can start by putting faces to it which can be a road to healing and reconciliation. In its absence, the memories at the national stage would either fade away or would be too scattered to have any resonance for the coming generation. India today cannot continue to take shelter behind success in organising elections every 5 years. Time has come to do more. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Killing fields of Cambodia: What India can learn

Cambodia Diaries: A pictorial journey to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom- Temple complexes

My first day in Cambodia was an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/cambodia-diary-khmer-rouge-tragedy-rural-gulags-188313">eye-opener since the hospitality industry</a> has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society. But what meets the eye is not the truth. The glitzy hotels and the tourist-oriented sector can hide a lot of simple facts.&nbsp;

I wanted to swim and realized that I have left the trunk back in Delhi. In order to make a quick buy, I asked my guide to take me to any shop for a swimming trunk. The hotel owners too informed me that it would be available in the city. When I asked the guide about the shop he replied,"it would be little difficult. People in Cambodia like to take bath in their homes. They do not go to 5-star hotels for a bath.” I said,"boss, swimming is an exercise.” He retorted,"even the rich do not have swimming pools in their homes and they have to go to these hotels for a dip.”&nbsp;

He told me that Cambodia is not a rich country. I decided to hunt for swimming wear myself. It took me half an hour but I was able to locate the shop. But what Chandra told me is a reality which is unseen behind the glitz of a booming tourist economy. It feeds the poor and helps the economy, but massive profits remain in the hands of few.

China&nbsp;thumps Korea

What is the indicator of rise of a big power? There are many factors. GDP is one but there are many ways one can evaluate the power of a foreign power. In India, if one travels through the Buddhist circuit in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and Gaya in Bihar, one would understand that Japanese hotels and eateries rule the roost.&nbsp;

You would immediately know the nationality of the five-star tourists. It is similar in Cambodia. It was dominated by the Koreans earlier. Siem Reap had a number of Korean food-joints but today they are being overtaken by the Chinese joints.

The Chinese today dominate the landscape of Angkor Wat. It was the Koreans earlier. Many Korean eateries have closed down and new Chinese eateries have opened. My guide told me that the Chinese overtook the Koreans couple of years back. Makes me remember Goa. It has been overrun by Russians. What do you do when the mantra is globalisation.

&nbsp;And Lastly...

Cambodia is a great country. It is a beautiful country but still needs to prepare its hospitality industry for vegetarians. When my wife Nistula Hebbar in a rated hotel requested for vegetarian food, the reply was: “Do not worry, it is only fish.” I had to hunt for a European eatery. She had French onion soup and stir-fried vegetables in Cambodia and I had tenderloin. Mind you, it was not Sirloin.

My first day in Cambodia was an eye-opener since the hospitality industry has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society.

My first day in Cambodia was an eye-opener since the hospitality industry has deep roots and the country has done well after the war, I assumed that some things are a given about a society. But what meets the eye is not the truth. The glitzy hotels and the tourist-oriented sector can hide a lot of simple facts. I wanted to swim and realized that I have left the trunk back in Delhi. In order to make a quick buy, I asked my guide to take me to any shop for a swimming trunk. The hotel owners too informed me that it would be available in the city. When I asked the guide about the shop he replied,"it would be little difficult. People in Cambodia like to take bath in their homes. They do not go to 5-star hotels for a bath.” I said,"boss, swimming is an exercise.” He retorted,"even the rich do not have swimming pools in their homes and they have to go to these hotels for a dip.” He told me that Cambodia is not a rich country. I decided to hunt for swimming wear myself. It took me half an hour but I was able to locate the shop. But what Chandra told me is a reality which is unseen behind the glitz of a booming tourist economy. It feeds the poor and helps the economy, but massive profits remain in the hands of few. China thumps Korea What is the indicator of rise of a big power? There are many factors. GDP is one but there are many ways one can evaluate the power of a foreign power. In India, if one travels through the Buddhist circuit in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and Gaya in Bihar, one would understand that Japanese hotels and eateries rule the roost. You would immediately know the nationality of the five-star tourists. It is similar in Cambodia. It was dominated by the Koreans earlier. Siem Reap had a number of Korean food-joints but today they are being overtaken by the Chinese joints. The Chinese today dominate the landscape of Angkor Wat. It was the Koreans earlier. Many Korean eateries have closed down and new Chinese eateries have opened. My guide told me that the Chinese overtook the Koreans couple of years back. Makes me remember Goa. It has been overrun by Russians. What do you do when the mantra is globalisation. And Lastly... Cambodia is a great country. It is a beautiful country but still needs to prepare its hospitality industry for vegetarians. When my wife Nistula Hebbar in a rated hotel requested for vegetarian food, the reply was: “Do not worry, it is only fish.” I had to hunt for a European eatery. She had French onion soup and stir-fried vegetables in Cambodia and I had tenderloin. Mind you, it was not Sirloin.

Cambodia diary: An eye-opener & China influence

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