India, Nov. 19 -- "We are living through troubled times. We will have to safeguard India's cultural and academic autonomy," renowned Gujarati litterateur and academician Sitanshu Yashashchandra said on Monday, at a literary event hosted by the Chetana Shikshan Sanstha, in Bandra, to commemorate the memory of Marathi poet Vinda Karandikar.

Yashashchandra continued, "I would like to address the issue of cultural autonomy in my own humble way in the near future."

When asked if the strife-torn India can turn to Gandhi and draw sustenance from his philosophy, he said, "Gandhiji's path is pretty difficult. You will have to throw yourself fully into it. You will have to sacrifice yourself. Shahadat ke liye kya hum taiyyar hain? (Are we ready f...