My conscience serves as my sole protective shield, and everything I wrote on Tipu Sultan is based solely on existing documentation, including his own writings
Mumbai:“We are one of the largest employers in India, with 20 lakh people earning income through Rapido every month, including 4 lakh in Hyderabad alone.”, Aravind Sanka, Co-Founder, Rapido said at ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit 2024.
In the session titled, “Upward Mobility: Making Transport Accessible”, Aravind Sanka, Co-Founder, Rapido, said “Leaving behind a high-paying, comfortable job to make a significant impact was my choice, and it has transformed how millions of Indians travel. At Rapido, we prioritize affordability and employment, supporting over 20 lakh drivers each month who we call our captains. Our commitment is unique globally—we don’t just take commissions; we invest in our drivers’ success. This ensures that if our captains are happy, so are our customers.”
Speaking in the following session on “Revisiting History: From Savarkar to Tipu Sultan”, Dr. Vikram Sampath, Author and Historian (FRHistS), said, “Hyderabad is closely linked to Tipu Sultan’s history. Many politicians have manipulated this history for their own ends, and I am committed to writing honestly about it. I faced threats and public backlash, including effigy burnings and book burnings, when I first wrote about Tipu Sultan. However, as a historian, I cannot let this deter me. My conscience is my protective shield, and my work is based on documented facts, including Tipu Suntan’s own writings. The 18th century was chaotic, with regional powers engaging with European entities like the British and French. While Tipu is seen as a hero for opposing the British, he allied with the French, whose colonial ambitions were just as harmful. Moreover, Tipu’s reign was marked by severe atrocities; he was power-hungry, leading to his downfall. His actions resulted in widespread suffering in regions like Coorg and Kerala, where his massacres are the reason many still do not celebrate Deepavali to this day. There is ample documented evidence of his forced conversions, temple destruction, and even posthumous conversions, painting a bleak picture of his rule.”
The Southern Rising Summit 2024, hosted by ABP Network, India’s premier multi-language news platform, was conceptualised as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. In its second edition, this transformative summit convened on the theme “Coming of Age: Identity, Inspiration, Impact”, with the leading voices from politics, culture, and industry converging to celebrate South India’s remarkable journey and its influential role in driving economic growth and cultural innovation across the nation.