Answer:

The one girl in post-independence Indian society had the attraction of a police uniform, the attraction of disciplined life and an aim to serve society. But at that time, our social sphere was witnessing gender discrimination, there was no permission for girls to go into the police and army. Actually at that time joining forces was too far, there was not even permission to walk out and play games on the playground at that point of time. Even though in this situation brave girls challenged difficult traditions, she walked out of the house, she left the common girl’s dream and tried hard to enter services. And that led to the birth of First women IPS officer, KIRAN BEDI madam. History was created by her by challenging the present of that time.

In human life, or for human society and civilization only those people, practices and cultures have been remembered as that were different from traditional ones. Creating history here is not about writing some book on the past but it is the phenomenon of having differences. That difference makes a footprint on the time scale. Creating a footprint is associated with grit, passion and attitude to change bad things and make differences.

In this particular discussion we will wave on the idea of history making by a different attitude. Then we will see some temporal and spatial examples who created history by challenging the present situation. Then we will analyze why we should challenge the future and go ahead. At next point we will also try to think about whether this is necessary to challenge the present each time for creating history? At the end, we would hope that this history creation should be for humanity and not for satisfying personal greed.

Creation of history is very subjective and even the man, the society or the civilization is not aware that they are creating history. They are only focusing on their work and chasing their ideas. Those peoples’ madness and grit attract all other people towards them and we see this as a history. Challenging the present is more about presenting your own thoughts to systems and presenting new ideas by going in contrast to established systems.

Witnessing it on different spheres of life:

History is full of examples about people, ideas and things who challenged established patterns and created history. During the Later Vedic period, the ritual culture had emerged. In which exploitation of people had started. That led to many unethical things and new traditions like Priest class dominance and animal sacrifices. But one man named Siddhartha challenged that idea of religion and evolved a new system of living. That is Buddhism. It challenged the present and not only created history but also shaped the future of the Indian subcontinent. Today also all the world respects Buddhism and many countries follow Buddhism.

When we travel to the Modern socio-religious reforms movement in British India. We have many examples who challenged the present, who fought for bad things and created a good world for living equally. Take the example of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. In ‘Chavadar tale’ satyagraha he challenged that time’s authority and casteism .The historical development of equality in Indian context is the result of that rebellion of Dr ambedkar.

On a social level, we have many examples in the women’s education movement. For instance, consider Anandibai Joshi. During the 19th century, society did not allow the girl to go outside and that girl challenged the tradition, she not only crossed the boundary of her house but crossed the seven oceans to achieve Medical knowledge. And rest is history. The first woman doctor of India who received a degree from foreign university. History was made by those who challenged the present.

Similarly, in the field of science too we witness this phenomenon. Take the example of Galileo. He challenged the Church orthodox beliefs of earth being at the centre of the world and all planets revolving around it. At that time everyone was against him. But his knowledge and command over astronomy proved everyone wrong. His discovery of universe theories is itself a biggest history.

On a collective level too, as a society we evolved with a challenging present. That present means belief in old ideas. It may be superstition, it may be gender disparity, it may be orthodoxy and rituals. But we have to challenge those bad things to establish new civilizational values. That would be history itself. The Indian independence movement to our society goes against the present rule through the idea of non cooperation, the idea of disobedience and the idea of satyagraha. We won that battle. The battle of swarajya and the nation was reborn on the stroke of midnight of 15th August.

This is true in regards to international relations too. Everyone knows the situation during the cold war. That time the established regime was only about either joining the USA block or joining the USSR block. But our great leadership, then prime minister Pt Jawaharlal Nehru challenged the present and proposed non alignment (NAM). The historical perspective to see world affairs by considering national needs.

Analysing different aspects 

In this analysis, the next question is why we should challenge the present? Answer is simple. Challenge present, because that is a necessity of time. Present should be evolved according to time and according to space. If that evolution does not occur then you become a past. And there is too much difference between past and history. Past is the compulsion but history is the achievement.

We should challenge the present because we want to build the future as well. As said by an anonymous philosopher, History is not written after the event but preparation for that event creates history. Take the example of PV Sindhu. The young icon and badminton Star of India. She prepared 16 years for that medal. That medal is history and success but this innings built on challenging self, challenging thoughts and challenging body for Glory.

We should challenge the present because civilizations build and flourish on new ideas and evolution. We had many examples where things did not evolve according to the necessity of the time and that had led to destruction of the whole civilization. Take the example of Harappans. They did not evolve in armoury. No one challenged the present of peace. So they forgot how to fight and vanished in a single attack of Aryans.

Present should be challenged for creativity and innovation. That innovation might turn into historical development. Take the example of Ellora Kailasa temple. Who can imagine constructing a temple upside down. Architect decided to go against established norms and started digging the temple. Yes, digging! And rest is history. Kailasa temple is the only temple in the world built upside down.

But every time is it necessary to challenge the present to create history? Answer is definitely no. Sometimes going with the present also creates history. For example during COVID-19 we accepted the reality of lockdown and social distancing. Collectively following guidelines created a history of controlling deadly viruses. At that time those who challenged established order, and went outside got infected.

Next question is what is the purpose of challenging present and created history? Generally it is for humanity and for ethical means. Dr. Ambedkar lived life for disadvantaged communities and to bring equality. Similarly, Nelson Mandela fought with the present to end racial discrimination, Mahatma Gandhi fought for bringing democracy in the country. So attaining common good for the whole should be the first criteria for challenging the present.

Creating a path for success by cultivating qualities:

Then the question is what qualities are required in common man to create history by challenging the present? First, individuals should have out of the box thinking. Take the example of the architect of Kailasa temple, whose different approach of thinking created history. Second important quality is risk taking ability, without that individual cannot take on the present. Vasco d Gama took a risk to sail over the seas. He lost many things, heavy winds destroyed his many ships but still he continued to travel and finally discovered the route to golden land i.e. India which led to a new path for trade and connecting the continent.

Third important quality is having consistency and strong belief in ideas. Because challenging the present is a difficult thing and hurdles and problems will arise. You should have a clear cut idea and imagination in mind. That makes individuals strong to handle success. Mahatma Gandhi’s self-belief made him stronger without violent means.

And last but very crucial is hard work. Without it no one can challenge present, bad values and shortcomings. From Kiran bedi to PV sindhu each and every one followed a path of hard work and consistency. That made the difference. It is scientifically proven that 0.1% daily improvement can make a big difference in the end.

On the concluding side, we may say that history is created by those who have a strong belief system, Who have a positive attitude and power to fight against the established but bad system, power to fight against bad values and consistency to improve on things to achieve goals.

And at last, as said by Dylan Thomas,

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.