Dregs of Yore

It is during one’s twenties (or perhaps as early as the late teens) when the veil of parental omnipotence begins to fray. The timing is no surprise of course, given that the dawn of adulthood brings with it a great deal of energy, independence and a firm resolve to prove oneself. Young people in this phase of life step out into the world for the first time, armed with an arsenal of lofty ideals some of which are gleaned from the pages of books, some captured from conversations with peers, some remembered from the words of experts or other wise people, and a few from one’s own experiences.  The inaugural steps into independence invariably beckon a retrospective gaze upon the decisions of one's parents, particularly one's father. Encased in the fragile armour of newfound autonomy, one finds oneself emboldened to cast a critical eye upon the choices made by them. A sense of self-assuredness, however fleeting, permeates the soul, strengthening the belief in one's own capacity t...

To what extent can you read religion as you read history (depicting events) or as you read science (explaining the workings of the universe)? Although I hold my own views on these matters, they hardly serve as answers that conclusively resolve such inquiries. And perhaps that is for the best. It is this kind of perpetual questioning that keeps conversations surrounding religion alive. Some people view religious texts primarily as historical documents, containing accounts of events that actually happened in the past. They interpret these texts literally and believe that the stories and events described within them are accurate representations of real events. For these individuals, religion is closely intertwined with history, and the two are inseparable. On the other hand, many others interpret religious texts allegorically, seeing them as containing deeper symbolic meanings rather than literal truths. They believe that the stories and teachings found in religious texts are meant to con...

A recent Supreme Court verdict in India caught my attention the other day. In this judgement, the top court refused the plea of a 44-year old unmarried woman to become a mother through surrogacy. According to the Surrogacy Regulation Act, widowed or divorced women between the ages of 35 and 45 years can avail the surrogacy route, but this does not extend to single unmarried women. The court observed that child bearing is a huge responsibility, and expressed concern about the child’s welfare and upbringing in such a scenario. It noted that the decision to remain unmarried had been the woman’s own, and the advancement of science and medical procedures should not automatically lead to changes in societal norms. Encouraging the woman to reconsider marriage or explore adoption as alternative paths to parenthood, the court added that the Indian constitution still regards the institution of marriage as worth saving, even at the risk of being perceived as conservative. It stressed that unlike ...

As I stand on the precipice of a new decade, I find myself reflecting on the invaluable lessons that I learnt in my twenties. Lessons about habits and morality are discussed aplenty in classrooms, boardrooms and all manner of rooms, and I’d be lying if I said I was above such sappy discussions. But today's post is not about lofty ideals or grandiose philosophies. Instead, it's about the practical learnings that often slip through the cracks of academia. So, here's what I think schools and colleges should toss into their curriculum, even if just for kicks: 1. Creating a budget: When I got my first job, I foolishly flew halfway across the country to move to a new city, with about ten thousand rupees (about 120 USD) in my bank account. Even after my bank balance began rising slowly with the influx of my salary, I lived paycheck to paycheck for more than a year.  It was then that an older coworker taught me something valuable. People usually tell young people to save money and...

Among the plethora of arguments that atheists might give to contest the existence of God, a particularly understandable one is: If God indeed exists, why does he permit the existence of suffering? Does God permit suffering due to a lack of omnipotence, or is it a deliberate choice, suggesting a level of mercy inconsistent with believers' perceptions? This argument delves into the longstanding question known as the problem of evil. It grapples with the apparent contradiction between the existence of a benevolent, all-powerful deity and the presence of suffering and evil in the world. Some argue that God's omnipotence and benevolence can coexist with suffering if there is a greater purpose or plan that transcends human understanding. This perspective posits that God allows suffering as a means to achieve a higher good or to teach moral lessons. While I do not disagree with this viewpoint, let’s come to it later. A more compelling argument for me is the priority God puts on free w...

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."  - John 1:1-5 (King James Version). The "Word" refers to the divine expression of God, often associated with the creative power through which God brought the universe into existence. It symbolises the divine logos, the utterance that brings order to chaos and gives life to creation. The act of speaking or pronouncing the Word is a powerful and transformative act, reflecting the divine will. "Om is the imperishable word. Om is the universe, and this is the exposition of Om. The past, the present, and the future, all that was, all that is, all that will be, is Om." - Mandukya Upanishad. "From Om, the sky was produced, from Om...