Dregs of Yore

People tend to question the relevance of faith in an era dominated by reason and rationality. In this exploration, I seek to answer this question, hoping to provide an answer that not only resonates with believers like myself, but also one that a non-believer can reconcile with his or her rational leanings. I’ve heard people assert frequently, “I do not believe in God. I believe in science.”  But science does not necessitate individual convictions. Science operates on fact, and belief or faith is not part of its jurisdiction. This might prompt an atheist to counter, "So, are you suggesting that God requires our belief? How powerful can a God be if belief is a prerequisite?" No. God does not require people to believe in him. In fact, many people hold half-hearted or no belief in God, and God does not smite them on the spot. It is we who need to believe in God. Being religious and being scientific does not have to be an either/ or proposition. In the event of illness, my course...

A common practice among Hindu families is to have a designated puja ghar (room for worship) in their houses. Families that live in smaller houses with fewer rooms, typically substitute this with a corner, rather than an entire room. We call it the mandir (temple) of the house. In my childhood home, there were three such rooms. One was fairly large, used by my grandmother every day for her morning and evening prayer rituals and for worship rituals on religious holidays. Every morning, my grandmother hobbled outdoors, picking a few flowers and dropping them into a basket for the offerings that followed her morning prayers. One could hear her chanting mantras or humming devotional songs softly. Also heard was the clinging of a small bell she used at the end of the ritual. Even now, at the age of 93, she still carries on her prayer rituals twice a day. Another room, slightly smaller in size, was used by my father (and on occasion my mother) to meditate every morning before he went to wor...

Co-authored by  Ankit and Sadhika on December 24, 2023 In a podcast hosted by 3one4 Capital, Narayana Murthy dropped the bombshell suggestion that Indian youngsters ought to clock a whopping 70 hours a week to catapult work productivity and elevate the nation's global competitiveness. He made the case that India’s work productivity is one of the lowest in the world and calls for educated young Indians to take ownership and commit to higher man hours. To give a brief introduction, the 77-year-old co-founder of Infosys played a significant role in establishing the company as one of the pioneers in the IT industry, putting India squarely on the global tech map.  The Case For Our cultural values emphasise the importance of respecting the guidance of our elders, particularly those who have dedicated their lives to meaningful accomplishments—achievements that many of us may never attain. He was an agent of disruption in a time that was content with mere incremental grow...

Economic inequality often stands as a contentious thread, sparking debates that reverberate across ideological spectra. In a world that often echoes with the calls for economic equality, advocating for the tolerance of economic inequality may seem like a paradoxical proposition. However, before we dismiss this notion outright, let's embark on a journey of unconventional musings.  The History of Ownership The concept of ownership has evolved significantly throughout history, shaped by cultural, economic, and legal developments.  3000 BCE - 500 CE: In ancient societies, ownership often revolved around communal or tribal structures, where resources were shared among the community. The advent of agriculture led to the establishment of private property, with individuals claiming land and possessions.  500 - 1500 CE: Later in mediaeval Europe, feudal systems dictated land ownership, where lords granted land to vassals in exchange for service.  14th - 17th centuries: The R...

Navigating the corporate maze has been quite the journey for me. Among the responsibilities associated with my job, one of them is task delegation in my team, based on strengths, weaknesses, time constraints, and preferences. It's your classic managerial routine: ensuring processes are streamlined, priorities are set, targets are achieved and deadlines are met, all the while keeping the boss, the team, and the customer all in harmony. Throughout the span of my 8-year long career, I have seen people come and I’ve seen people go. Given the youthful demographic in my industry (typically 22 to 35 years old), my workplace often resembles a pit stop for those fueled by the desire to sprint toward greener pastures. Whether it's the pursuit of a dream job, a cushy government position, or the siren call of higher education, my team is a launchpad for the next big thing. Which is fine of course, why shouldn’t one aim higher?  There is a caveat, however.  Picture this: Meet Adam, a 25-ye...

Author’s Note: I endeavour to bring together several ideas that lie formless and fragmented in my mind, that I suspect are more intertwined than it seems at first glance. Many of the ideas explored in this piece are being articulated for the first time, so bear with me if the text lacks coherence in certain places. Without further ado, I begin. The corruption of religious figures has been a recurrent theme in various religious traditions, including Christianity and Hinduism. This corruption has had significant historical implications, leading to movements and reforms that aimed to address the perceived moral decay within religious institutions.  The Priest and the Prophet There are two kinds of religious figures between which a distinction must first be made: prophets and priests. A prophet is a figure who first receives the word of God, through divine revelation, and reveals His will to people. The prophet acts as the conduit connecting God and mortals, chosen by God and capable o...

Today, I pick up something that many might find trivial, and perhaps it even is, in the grand scheme of things, but ah, the spoils of whimsical contemplation! In this piece, I make the case that wearing a wristwatch has far more benefits to offer to the wearer than might appear at first glance.  Now, for the sceptics who argue, "Why wear a watch when I can check the time on my phone?" – I say, why settle for the mundane when you can revel in the extraordinary? A wristwatch is not just a practical accessory; it's a nod to the days when time was savoured, not just spent or caught up with. While it’s true that digital devices such as smartphones might dominate the realm of functionality, the wristwatch, a humble companion, transcends its utilitarian purpose and says much about one’s relationship with time, beyond mere timekeeping.  The confluence of the analog ticking of a wristwatch and our own rhythmic pulse which it rests upon, reminds us of the importance of living and a...

Of late, I have been trying to develop the habit of going for an evening stroll to a park in my neighbourhood each day. In the parks of New Delhi, a common sight are the elderly men from the local community who gather each evening to share stories about their children and grandchildren, reflecting on the bygone days of their youth. Sometimes, these gatherings also include friendly card games, providing a space for camaraderie and the exchange of cherished memories. Amidst the rest of the park-goer population, one may encounter dog walkers, father-son pairs playing catch, the occasional jogger, and, of course, young children in small groups playing ball games.  However, a demographic shift has recently become noticeable—one that was not commonplace until just a few years ago. Young mothers of 9-12-year-old children have emerged as a new presence, often seated on park benches, attentively watching over their children as they play with their friends nearby.  As a child, I wasn’t ...

Among other things, a notable distinction between Christianity and other Abrahamic religions, and Asian religious faiths, one of them being Hinduism (the faith I practise), concerns the concept of idolatry. It is crucial that I clarify, at the very outset, that my position is not against the teachings of Christianity or any faith in particular, nor do I intend to elevate my own faith as a superior pathway (sculpted or not) to the divine. I may not be well-versed in the secular discussion of religious beliefs, but I cherish the teachings of both Hinduism and Christianity deeply, as each has profoundly influenced me. Though my birth aligns with Hinduism, my educational journey unfolded within the halls of a Catholic convent school. Moreover, I dislike debates that pit one faith against another, because I believe that the antithesis of a set of beliefs is disbelief, rather than another set. Indeed, there are many ways both modern and primitive people have found their way towards the Divin...

A recent advertisement by the AM/ NS India initiative has been lingering in my head for too long and I feel compelled to pen down my thoughts on it. To give a brief introduction: ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel, two global giants in the steel industry, joined forces to establish a formidable partnership known as AM/NS India. This collaboration brings together the expertise and resources of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer, and Nippon Steel, a renowned Japanese steel manufacturer. AM/NS India represents a strategic alliance aimed at leveraging the strengths of both companies to create a powerful and competitive force in the Indian steel market. As mentioned in the ‘About Us’ page on their website, this collaboration signifies a shared vision to contribute to the dynamic growth of an “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India). The ad is a beautiful portrayal of the vision behind the initiative, and encapsulates perfectly the essence of economic growth and progress. Th...

A strange conversation got me thinking on the idea of envy, so I hope that my readers would bear with me as I begin with a personal anecdote.  Not too long ago, I took the decision to leave life in the big city, and shift for a year or so to a village in the Himalayan foothills, where the neighbours knew each other and shopkeepers felt secure in merely pulling down the shutters on their shops at night without locking them up. I was a regular customer at a small grocery store, and one day, I realised I had forgotten to pay for some milk I had purchased a few days back. Of course I had meant to, but I didn’t have change then, and the grocer smiled at me and told me to pay for it the next time. As expected, neither of us had remembered it, and about a week or so passed before I recalled the incident. After I sent the money to his account, I told the story to a group of my friends, and asked them what they would have done in this scenario. I was expecting most of them to say that they ...