Life is a Strange Loop
Lately, I have visualised life as a strange loop, exploring the enigmatic, self-referential patterns often defining human existence. In fact, ‘I Am a Strange Loop’ is the title of a book by the cognitive scientist Douglas Hofstadter, published in 2007. I first read it in 2010 and multiple times thereafter. The book delves into the interconnectedness and cyclical nature of our thoughts, actions, and experiences.
“By our deepest nature, we humans float in a world of familiar and comfortable but quite impossible-to-define abstract patterns . . .The general rule is that we swim in the world of everyday concepts, and it is they, not micro-events, that define our reality. . . it is the upward leap from raw stimuli to symbols that imbues the loop with strangeness.” (Chapter 13, p. 175, 179, 187).
Last week, from March 23 to 27, 2025, General Gurmit Singh, the Governor of Uttarakhand, hosted me. He has been a good friend since 2015 when he retired as Deputy Chief of the Indian Army. He lives in Dehradun, and my visit was long overdue as I haven’t been venturing out and travelling lately. My son Amol took time off his work and escorted me there. I stayed in the historic mansion at Raj Bhavan, where Indian Prime Ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt. Indira Gandhi once stayed. At around 2500 feet above sea level, Dehradun offers a comfortable climate. The sky was beautifully blue during my stay, and the air was gently breezing. I sat in the lobby overseeing a sprawling lush green lawn and watched various beautiful birds of multiple colours flying around and chirping.
On the last day, a few hours before my evening departure to Hyderabad, Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, the world-renowned zoologist and biotechnologist, landed there. He is currently the Vice Chancellor of G. B. Pant University in Uttarakhand. I am an alumnus of this university. I stayed there for a decade (1971 – 1981), first for my graduation in Mechanical Engineering, then as a teaching associate while pursuing my master’s part-time. In February 1982, I relocated to Hyderabad after being selected to work with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and met Dr APJ Abdul Kalam there, which transformed my life. This story continued until Dr Kalam departed from this world in 2015. I never tire of repeating it whenever I find an opportunity and even create such occasions to express myself.
I know of Dr Chauhan and am familiar with his work on animal cloning. He has been the Director of the National Dairy Research Institute in Karnal, Haryana, and has gained significant fame in research on cows, buffaloes, yaks and goats. Over his career of more than three decades in research, he has developed several potential breeding biotechnologies for livestock efficiency. He holds the record for making ‘Garima 2’, the first buffalo calf clone in the world. His pioneering efforts in this area involve using advanced genetic technologies to clone species at the risk of extinction, thereby aiding conservation efforts. By replicating the genetic material of endangered animals, his research aims to increase their population and genetic diversity, offering a beacon of hope for preserving biodiversity.
A native of Uttarakhand, Dr Chauhan was born in January 1960 in Pauri Garhwal. After graduating from Jaiharikhal, Dr Chauhan completed his MSc. from Srinagar, Garhwal, in 1981 and went to Punjab Agricultural University for his PhD, which he received in 1986. He worked at the hallowed Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, founded as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College in 1872, which set up a template for such institutions worldwide. As a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy; the National Academy of Sciences, India; the National Academy of Dairy Science (India); the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility; and the Society of Animal Physiologists of India, unarguably, Dr Chauhan is India’s leading scientist.
When I shared my G.B. Pant University ID number (5690)—an unchangeable roll number allotted to a student of the University—Dr Chauhan smiled and said, “It has increased by 47,000 now.” Standing with the Chancellor, General Gurmit Singh and the Vice Chancellor of the University where I studied in the 1970s was like closing a loop. What could be the essence of such loops? Are they mere fabrications of the human mind, or do we imagine them to give meaning and importance to our lives, or is there some higher order moving us to meet and separate from people at different times?
According to scientists like Hofstadter, a strange loop is a paradoxical structure that arises when one unexpectedly finds oneself back where one started by moving through levels of a hierarchy. Strange loops manifest in how we perceive and engage with the world around us, creating patterns that echo our thoughts and actions. One of the fundamental aspects of strange loops is self-reference, the ability of a system to refer to itself. Human consciousness itself can be considered a weird loop. Our minds constantly reflect on their states, creating an ongoing narrative that shapes our identity. This self-referential process allows us to ponder our existence, make decisions, and develop a sense of self.
Let there be no confusion about the truth that ‘Life’ is replete with cycles: day turns into night, seasons change, and history often repeats itself. These cycles are strange loops that remind us of the recurring nature of existence. On a personal level, individuals experience loops of behaviour, habits, and relationships, often finding themselves in similar situations repeatedly. These patterns can be comforting and disconcerting, highlighting the complexity of human experiences.
Recognising the emerging patterns is essential for understanding the strange loops in our lives. These patterns can be seen in our choices, the relationships we cultivate, and the events that shape our lives. By identifying these loops, we can gain insight into our motivations and behaviours, allowing us to make more informed decisions and break free from detrimental cycles. Memory plays a crucial role in the formation of strange loops. Our experiences shape our perceptions and reactions, creating a feedback loop that influences future actions. By finding meaning in these loops, we can cultivate a sense of fulfilment and resilience, navigating the complexities of existence with grace and understanding its recurrences and reflections, according to General Gurmit Singh
While taking leave after our brief meeting, Dr Chauhan briefly mentioned his visit to Russia’s Saint Petersburg University to enhance research and education in veterinary sciences, particularly in animal cloning, gene characterisation, and ovum-pick-up techniques. The hand-guided cloning technology developed in India is straightforward and practical; this can also help save Amur tigers, the largest cats in the world, also known as the Siberian tiger, on the brink of extinction.
Thanks to scientists like Dr Chauhan, who shunned the temptation of making personal money working abroad and remained working in the institutions that educated them, India, once scorned as a land of snake charmers and rope-trick artists by the Westerner hubris, is now becoming the epicentre of cutting-edge biotechnology.
From $10 billion a decade ago to $160 billion at the beginning of 2025, India’s bioeconomy has experienced a tremendous transition. It has established biotechnology as a foundation for long-term economic prosperity and technological advancement. Growing at a CAGR of almost 20 per cent over the last four years, it would be $300 billion by 2030, or even half a trillion. All loops are eventually entwined. The efforts of inspired individuals, good institutions and governments create a snowball effect. This is how societies and nations are transformed. Life’s strange loops can also provide a sense of continuity and purpose. When one loop closes, another loop begins and may embrace multiple lifetimes.
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Sir, I am thrilled to read your idea of life as a loop. “By our deepest nature, we humans float in a world of familiar and comfortable but quite impossible-to-define abstract patterns . . .The general rule is that we swim in the world of everyday concepts. It is they, not micro-events, that define our reality.” It resonates in me as memories of my journey. In our Healthcare & Hospital Management MBA class at Hyderabad University (in 2008), when I hesitantly told you about my Social Science background, you said you were “best suited here”. That one sentence had transformed me. I feel duty-bound to teach and motivate youngsters in my career now.
Thank you.
Inspiring reminiscence, Prof Tiwariji !
If India is a respected nation today in the field of science, it is undoubtedly because of country’s renowned scientists who chose to stay and work in India in highly challenging fields demonstrating their prowess !!
Dear Sir, Good day! What a beautifully reflective and intellectually rich piece!
Your articulation of “strange loops” through Hofstadter’s lens and your lived experiences is profoundly moving. The convergence of science, memory, relationships, and national progress paints a vivid picture of life’s cyclical essence. I particularly loved the seamless blend of personal nostalgia, philosophical depth, and national pride.
Dr Chauhan’s story is inspiring, and your narrative powerfully reminds us how individual choices ripple into broader societal impact. Thank you for sharing this introspective journey. It honours the people and places that shaped you and encourages us to reflect on the recurring loops in our own lives. Warm Regards…
Sir, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (Pantnagar University) has a strong reputation as a leader in agricultural education and research in India, known for its contributions to the Green Revolution and seed production, with a focus on both teaching and research. The university played a crucial role in the Green Revolution in India by developing high-yielding varieties of wheat, rice, and other crops, becoming a household name for farmers with “Pantnagar Seeds”. The university campus at Pantnagar is spread over a large area, making it one of the largest universities in the world in terms of contiguous area. With Dr MM Chauhan at its helm, it can revolutionise Veterinary Sciences, like the second leg of the Rural economy.
Dear Arun Bhai, You have shared your memories of Pantnagar. It is always delightful to recall the Pantnagar days. You have highlighted the work of GBPUAT in the field of veterinary sciences, which are commendable, it brings pride in our mind. Technologies certainly can transform the destiny of a nation, hope these endeavours of our university bring good luck to our country. You are meeting great people and great minds like General Gurmeet Singh and Dr Manmohan Chauhan. As always, you have articulated your thoughts beautifully. I am not punctual in responding to your blogs, hope you will forgive me for this bad habit. Wish you good luck. Prabhat
The efforts of inspired individuals, good institutions and governments create a snowball effect. This is how societies and nations are transformed. Life’s strange loops can also provide a sense of continuity and purpose. When one loop closes, another loop begins and may embrace multiple lifetimes. I could not have agreed more Prof
As Mr Umesh Jain comments, life is a story we tell ourselves. The human experience is like being a character in a storybook. But even then, what story best describes my life? What character do I play? The rebel? The caregiver? The victim? The boss? The great thing about your story is that you have changed it. Every story is a loop; some are sad, and some are fantastic. We can have stories of being mistreated, different, or down on our luck. We can also have stories of being fortunate, victorious, or prosperous. We have many stories, and we play many different characters depending on our surroundings. Let’s change the stories that limit us. This is my understanding of a loop.
Dear Arun Ji, I read your excellent blog with interest. I congratulate you for highlighting such a fascinating aspect of life.
Yes, Life sees the need to complete its loop and takes different routes for people to do so. At some point in life, we are all so occupied that we don’t notice our hidden desire to connect with the people, symbols, and villages of our childhood and olden days. As we retire and have some leisure time, this desire starts dominating. Some people will feel a void within if the loop is not completed.
I can see this reflection in your blog. I am so satisfied you looked at your writing after meeting someone from your alma mater. I can relate this to my feelings when my desire to complete life’s loop dominated my thoughts. Last year, I decided to retire fully from my consulting assignments and close all project activities. I had a personal hobby research lab for engine and emission research with engine dyno facilities, etc. Last month, I donated this facility to the College of Technology, Pantnagar – our alma mater.
I had an option to sell equipment at a reasonable price for my pocket. But thoughts to donate to Pantnagar, my alma mater, kept bombarding my mind over several nights till I could see this as the only option before I and this strong desire (you call- completing life’s loop) could help me overcome my greed for money. If this is not longing to close the loop of life, what else can this be called?
If we can be peaceful in our minds later in life, the desire to complete life’s loop exists externally and inwardly. Growing spiritually, I relate, is also completing life’s loop inwardly. Best Regards, GK
Loop… We humans think too much of such things and waste so much of our mental energy on such things.
We are just another species of animals….not just another…but also most destructive and stupid.
Dear Prof
Grateful for an inspiring story of reunion with alumni and friends.
Always worth redirecting on life’s journey ….
Excellent, Arun ji. Congratulations for the way in which you connect people, institutions and distilled knowledge.
This latest blog is once again, a reflection of the continuing excellence, not just in writing skills, but also the topic chosen and the way it is disseminated. Congratulations Dr Tiwari.
The concept of a loop is an interesting one, but we must remember the loop of life in itself, is a linear one and truly not a loop and there is no way it can come back. At best, memories can help us cherish the good old days, but life as created by nature is a one way traffic.
Professor Chauhan is an example of excellence that India is proud of. What we badly need in India is a right degree of projections of such excellence among the common masses. I wish our PM Mr Modi, himself a trendsetter and emerging global leader, takes note of this and establishes a mechanism to ensure that scientists of the eminence of Dr Chauhan are aptly recognised.
Thank you once again for the wonderful blog.
Dear Prof . Tiwari Ji, Your blog beautifully portrays various aspects of life while linking them to the Science Academy and social life, which is highly relevant today. A meaningful human life contributes to society, the nation, and intellectual progress, helping the country move forward. Your contributions are well-recognized across the nation. Your eloquent expression of thoughts inspires all of us.
Moreover, you have highlighted the contribution of GB Pant Agriculture University, which I think is commendable. It is a matter of pride that the university is now collaborating with St. Petersburg University in Russia for research in Veterinary and Animal Sciences. With the support of people like you, this initiative will undoubtedly succeed.
We sincerely appreciate your best wishes and continued support for the university.
Excellent as always
Memory revives and makes us meet those who have been in our lives in the past.
Wonderful expressions
Good, you travelled with Amol.
Once in a while, it is good always to move out
Keep doing it at least occasionally. Best Wishes.
Dear Prof Tiwari Ji, your thoughts on life’s “strange loops” deeply connect with real experiences, especially your visit to Dehradun and meeting General Gurmit Singh and Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan. As a fellow G.B. Pant University alumnus, I understand the nostalgia of standing with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of our university—it truly feels like life coming full circle.
Undoubtedly, Dr. Chauhan’s groundbreaking work in animal biotechnology has helped put India on the global map of scientific progress.
I also remember the remarkable contributions of Dr. Arun Tiwari, whose work with Dr. Kalam greatly impacted India’s technological growth. Your reflections on connections, past experiences, and life’s repeating patterns mirror India’s own journey in biotechnology—from being underestimated to becoming a global leader. As you rightly said, when one chapter ends, another begins, shaping individuals, societies, and nations.
This beautifully written reflective piece weaves personal experience, scientific thought, and national progress into a profound narrative.
As explored here, the concept of strange loops resonates deeply—not just as a cognitive phenomenon but as a lived reality. The intersection of past and present, science and philosophy, individual journeys and collective evolution is captured eloquently.
It’s inspiring to see how such loops shape our understanding of self, society, and the ever-unfolding cycles of life. Keep inspiring Arunji with such thought-provoking narratives!