Page 33 - NIS English 16-31 December, 2025

COVER STORY
India’s Enduring Cultural and Religious
Ties with Southeast Asian Countries
Various records and research collections of the Government
of India indicate that India has enduring cultural and
religious ties with Southeast Asian countries such as
Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
and Vietnam. These centuries-old ties are evidenced by the
influence of Indian philosophical systems, religious practices,
epics, temple architecture, iconography, and performing arts
throughout the region. The Angkor Wat temple complex in
Cambodia is an example of Indian influence on Southeast
Asian architecture and art. The Archaeological Survey of
India, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs,
has undertaken conservation and restoration work to foster
religious and cultural engagement abroad...
Religious and Cultural Centres Country
My Son Temple and Nehan Tower Vietnam
Vat Phou Temple Laos
Earthquake-damaged temples and pagodas Myanmar
Preet Vihar and Ta Prohm Cambodia
Frida Mosque Maldives
n Organising an International Conference on
Ramayana Traditions in Southeast Asia (Indonesia,
Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos).
n Exhibition on Ramayana in Southeast Asia
showcasing Reamker of Cambodia, Kakawin
Ramayana of Indonesia and Ramakien of Thailand.
n The Conference on Shared Buddhist Heritage, as
well as the Festival of India, was organised in these
countries.
December 16-31, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR
Cultural Renaissance
from “Dev to Desh” and “Ram to Rashtra.”
“Ram se Rashtra” means “राामरााज बैैठेे त्रैैलोोकाा।
हराषि�त भए गए सबै सोकाा।” Its essence is a rule of
good governance and public welfare! It means
governance driven by the spirit of Sabka
Saath, Sabka Vikas. “Ram se Rashtra” means
“नषिहं दरिराद्र काोउ, दुखीी न दीना।” That is, a nation
where no one is poor, no one is distressed,
and India moves forward free from poverty.
“Ram se Rashtra” means “अल्पमृत्युु नषिहं कावषिनउ
पीराा।” That is, there should be no premature
death due to illness — meaning the creation
of a healthy and happy India.
“Ram se Rashtra” also means “मानउं एका भगषित
कारा नाता।” This signifies that our society should
be free from discrimination and inequality and
that social justice should prevail everywhere.
Not just this — “Ram se Rashtra” also conveys
“षिनषिसचरा हीन काराउं मषिह भुज उठेाइ पन काीन्ह।” Meaning,
a pledge to eliminate anti-human forces, to
destroy terrorism! And this is exactly what the
nation has witnessed in Operation Sindoor.
India, committed to the eradication of terror-
ism, is breaking the backbone of terrorists.
This is the Amrit Kaal of India’s develop-
ment. Today, India is filled with the capital
and energy of its youth. The youth of today
represent that generation of India that is
hoisting the tricolour on the Moon, travelling
1.5 million kilometres and completing the
Aditya mission by going near the Sun, and
showcasing its prowess with Tejas in the sky
and Vikrant in the sea. Proud of its heritage,
this elixir of life must write India’s new dawn.
By treading both the paths of the purity of tra-
dition and the infinity of modernity, India will
reach its goal of prosperity. That is why Prime
Minister Modi says, “The thoughts of Ram
should be in the minds of the people as well as
in the hearts of the people; this is the stepping
stone to nation-building.” Building a developed
India requires the collective power of society,
and the divine courtyard of the Ram Temple
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