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Last fortnight was the Pitra Paksha, an annual 15-day period in Hindu tradition observed to honour and pay homage to ancestors. During this period, Hindus perform various rituals such as Tarpan (offering water), Shradh (ceremonial offerings of food), and other acts…

When I took admission to G.B. Pant University in 1971 to pursue graduation in mechanical engineering, I experienced a cultural shock. I had never seen such a lush green campus with trees lining both sides of the roads, the backdrop of the Kumayun Hills on the northern horizon, and neatly constructed buildings with elegant facades …

In the Katha Upanishad, a parable of the “chariot” elucidates the intricate relationship between the body, the senses, the mind and the self (Atman). The chariot, a metaphor for the body, is akin to a vehicle that ferries the true self through life…

Certain concepts are embedded in ancient wisdom, guiding generations, and the idea of the multitude is one such concept. In the national anthem of India, written by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), the multitude is hailed as the absolute sovereign…

Had India and China been friends, the 21st century would already have been Asian. With peace within itself, being vastly more developed, and flourishing regional trade, what is not there on this planet that is not here?…

Who does not like success? Human beings are driven to succeed from early childhood. Parents celebrate when their toddler learns to stand up, speak its first words and go to school. Then, in school, from studies to sports, children compete, and by the time they become adolescents, their personalities are formed around it…

Over the past several months, I have been deeply immersed in the profound trilogy penned by esteemed philosophers Michael Hardt (b. 1960) and Antonio Negri (1933-2023) about how the modern world works and is likely to change.

In the winter of 1989, I visited Pune for the first time. I worked in the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, as Project Manager for Airframe and System Integration in the ‘Akash’ missile project…

Life is a journey, and like in other journeys, we encounter numerous co-travellers — family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and even strangers — who share parts of the path with us. Each co-traveller brings unique experiences, perspectives, and support, enriching our journey in various ways…

I am running into my seventieth year. Born on February 10, 1955, I have lived a somewhat uncertain life with some cardiac electrophysiological issues since childhood and, later, coronary artery disease that necessitated multiple angioplasties, a bypass surgery, and two stents…