The Rediff Special /Archana Masih

'We consider it a historical event, in the sense of finding a new sea route from Europe to India. More than that, we do not attach any importance to it'

Minister for Home Affairs Indrajit Gupta's response to BJP MP Ram Naik's question in Parliament:

"Sir, Shri Ram Naik has raised a very interesting point regarding coming of Vasco da Gama to India. Well, it is a matter of history that a number of European navigators, among whom Vasco da Gama may have been the best known, came to India looking for a sea route from Europe to India and some of them called it the discovery of India. Of course, India was not discovered by them. It was always there. We have a much more ancient culture and civilisation than many of the countries from which these navigators came.

"However, we regard this coming of Vasco da Gama as one more example of European navigators discovering a new sea route from Europe to India. We do not approve of all the things which subsequently, perhaps, were done in those areas by the newcomers.

"Sir, as far as the government goes, we consider it as an event, a historical event which could be recorded in the sense of finding a new sea route from Europe to India. More than that we do not attach any importance to it."

Back

Tell us what you think of this feature