Why We Need Religion

     Don't get me wrong, I'm neither a fanatic, nor an atheist, and definitely not agnostic. I just have a very liberal view towards religion, at least I like to think that I do. Have I read The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita? In detail. The Holy Bible and The Holy Quran? A few excerpts, yes. What I have understood out of each of these holy books, is that they communicate the same things, probably in different ways. One of these things they all abide by is 'There is only one God of this Universe'. You may have heard this being true in the case of Christianity and Islam. But Hinduism? Don't we have a lot of deities? 33 to be precise?

     Contrary to the '33 crore' misconception, in reality, the term ‘trayastrimsati koti’ as quoted in the Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda, and Satapatha-brahmana, is often misunderstood as 33 Crore. However, 'koti' in Sanskrit has two meanings - ‘supreme’ and 'crore'. Hence the basic fact that Hinduism has 33 Supreme Gods and not 33 Crore Gods is lost in translation. Even this is slightly debatable if we go by the theory which will follow in the next paragraph.

     I went slightly awry with the last explanation, but I felt it was necessary to clear that first. Coming back to the concept of monotheism which seems bizarre in Hinduism, it is important to note that Hinduism has evolve from the Ancient Vedic Religion, when Adi Shankaracharya united different streams and cultures and sects emerged. Hence, in the Vedic times the term Hindu was non existent. Vedic religion was based on deep philosophical and practical thinking. Worshiping many different deities did not even exist then. Hence, whatever verses from Vedas are recited in relation of classical Hinduism were written much before its evolution.

     Now that we have established that, the concept of God in the Vedic period would describe or explain the different phenomena occurring in the universe. The 'Gods' - Bramha,Vishnu, Mahesh (Shiva) were created to explain creation, sustenance and destruction of universe respectively. Similarly, more Gods were created for representing the energies in nature: Pavan (wind), Agni (fire), Varuna (Rain) etc. and a female half of the Parmatma (the Ultimate God) - Adi Shakti. The 33 crore deity concept could be attributed to the identification of 330 million different natural phenomena and forms of energy that were represented by corresponding Gods, all aimed at understanding the universe and how it works.

     The evolution of the Hinduism as we know today coincides with decline of Buddhism in India, when due to the dominance of Buddhism Adi Shankaracharya found it necessary to modify the traditional religious practices in the Vedic religion and make them simpler and easier to identify with common masses through idol worship, like that of many figures from Ramayana and Mahabharata like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman, etc. 

     The Vedas, the cradle of present day Hinduism, thus talk of One Parmatma - the Supreme God, who has neither a form nor a gender, but a state, a consciousness, which is similar to the Islamic concept of Allah, who is without a body. Now let's talk about the concept of God in Islam. As goes the popular verse:

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

lā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, muḥammadur rasūlu-llāh

There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.

     This does not mean that the religion says that there is only one God named Allah. 'Allah' in Arabic means 'God'. So the actual translation is : 'There is no god but God. Muhammad is the messenger of God.' Does not seem so fanatic now, does it? Again, the concept of One God, whose messengers span religions, regions and beings.

     There are many such similarities between Hinduism and Islam, Islam and Christianity, Hinduism and Christianity, and the other religions of the world. For example,

Bhagavad Gita: They who worship me with true devotion are in me and I in them. (Ch. VI. 29)
New Testament, Bible: I in them, thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. (John XVII. 23)

Bhagavad Gita: Be assured that he who worships me, perishes not. (Ch. IX. 31)
New Testament, Bible: He that believeth in me shall never perish, but shall have eternal life. (John III. 5)

Bhagavad Gita: I am the beginning and the middle and the end of things. (Ch. X. 20)
New Testament, Bible: I am Alpha, Omega, the beginning and the ending. (Rev. I. 8)

     We can go on and on with such similarities. But these similarities are not enough to ensure that religion, which is actually a way of life, is free to be practised by anyone and everyone in the world. Sadly, many religions have been interpreted horribly, to the point of exploitation and violence, examples of which need not be mentioned to the well informed reader.

     Then what needs to be done to maintain religious harmony in the world? Have one true religion? No, we have seen the terrorizing ways of ensuring that. Then can it be achieved by practising some of the principles mentioned in these books? After all, aren't these mere moral guidance? They do not have to replace the civil laws governing our countries. Nor will reading a religious book other than yours change your religion. Then why can't we follow the religion that suits us? If each religion claims in all its clichéd-ness that it is 'a way of life', why force someone at gunpoint to follow your religion just because you have interpreted your own religion terribly wrong?

     Religion guides us, sometimes even binds us together. It makes us disciplined and tolerant. No religion advocates killing others for salvation, or mistreating women, or inciting others into uncouth conduct. So please follow any of the 5 pillars of Islam even if you are a Christian, if it suits your ideals, or give charity out of your income if it gives you joy, even if you are a Hindu, or spread joy and cheer during Christmas even if you are a Muslim. 

     All said and done, every religion has evolved over a long period of time. There are many paths to attain enlightenment and only some of them are through God.

Indian Child Is The Father of American Man

     My Facebook timeline these days is currently full of these things:

1. Hilarious animal videos/memes of fake Godmen getting ripped apart

2. People my age getting engaged/married

3. ___ *aeroplane emoticon* is travelling to ____, United States from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Terminal T2 - Mumbai. - feeling excited *happy face emoticon*

    The third type of posts is usually accompanied by pictures of their family and friends coming to see them off, as they go off across the oceans, to live the American Dream. But 4-5 months later these very people land up on my timeline frolicking at a local pub in Khar or Andheri. 4-5 months away from home? It does not seem too different from when I was studying engineering in Pune. 

     I'm not going to argue how bright Indian minds should stay in the country and utilise the opportunities here, or how the very 'dream countries' they are dying to go to will soon start vomiting them all out due to an overburden on them. Much has been talked about it earlier, yet every year we see a surge in the number of Indian graduates going abroad for higher studies to absolutely any university or course they get. Why the compromise? Why not live in your motherland, flourish here, help the economy here grow and make it a dream nation for people other than terrorists?

     I've probably drawn a lot of flak for this comment, from both - Indians studying abroad, and terrorists, and probably even more for using the two in the same sentence, but that is how it is. Globalization has hit us with its positive effects and negative effects alike. Positively, the job opportunities we have in India today are hardly any different from the ones abroad. Indian companies and the MNCs operating in India are focusing on going global, and it is almost like working abroad, while still being in India. Why work the same amount, for the same job profile in a different country? For a higher pay, you might argue. But isn't the cost of living abroad higher too? Plus, God knows how long the danger of you being deported or losing your Visa status looms over your head, which is already burdened with work pressure. Like it or not, India is the only country which will never ask you, "How long do you intend to live in this country?"

     I certainly do not seek to bring the Indians settled abroad back to India, nor do I mean to discourage those preparing for their GREs, GMATs, TOEFLs, IELTSs and what not from studying. Living in India may not present itself as a very rosy picture, and that is where the negative effects of globalization begin to show in our younger generation.

     What this generation wants is to be well fed and cared for until the end of their days, but they also want the freedom that their American counterparts enjoy. Seldom do they notice that this perceived freedom is because most American children move out of their house at an age no later than 18 years. Whether it is to become a scientist or a punk rockstar, their 'freedom' is actually their 'independence'. To enjoy the free will that they do, our children should be prepared to bid adieu to the care and safety net that awaits them at home after they get back from their parties.

     I am not saying our whole generation is corrupted with this bug, but it forms a major chunk of the high potential, well educated population that can make or break the country's future. One of the nation's most beloved Presidents, or the most beloved I daresay - Dr APJ Abdul Kalam always maintained that he was very happy that he completed his entire course of education in India. Imagine, the very nation you are so keen to leave, made the legend whose birthday - May 26, is celebrated as National Science Day in Switzerland.

     No leader, no matter how dynamic and strong he is, can lead a country to progress if its very population doesn't want to progress. If half of our population is decadent and the other half is waiting to cross that yellow line at emigration, we might as well start calling ourselves the Red Indians, after all, all roads seem to be leading us to the same fate.

Of Positivity, Optimism and Sanguineness

     A professor once announced to his students that he was taking a surprise test.  As they waited for the test to begin, he handed out the question paper, with the side with text facing down as usual.  After handing them all out, he asked the students to turn the page and begin.  To everyone's surprise, there were no questions, just a black dot in the center of the page.  Noticing the surprise on everyone's face, the professor said, "I want you to write what you see there."

     The perplexed students began working on the bizarre task. Once they were done, the professor took all the answer papers and began reading each one of them aloud to the whole class.  Every student described the black dot, trying to explain its position in the middle of the sheet, etc. After reading it all, the professor said to the quiet class:

"I am not going to grade on you this, I just wanted to give you something to think about.  No one wrote about the white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot - and the same happens in our lives. We have a white paper to observe and enjoy, but we always focus on the dark spots. Our life is a gift given to us by God, with love and care, and we always have reasons to celebrate - nature renewing itself everyday, our friends around us, the job that provides our livelihood, the miracles we see everyday.

However we insist on focusing only on the dark spots - the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend, and so on.

The dark spots are very small compared to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our minds.

Take your eyes away from the black spots in your life.  Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life gives you. Be happy and live a life filled with LOVE,"

     I read this story recently. So simple to understand, yes? But is it as easy to practise? We don't hesitate before throwing free advice to everyone who doesn't even ask for it: "Be positive in life!", "Don't compare yourself with others, you wil just be disappointed, you don't know what they had to struggle with".

     But when it comes to us, "Look you don't know what I'm going through, okay? If you had to go through what I have, you would have understood!"

     Why are most of us so good at preaching optimism but bad at practising it? Have you ever begun a Monday on a positive note, right after you open your eyes from sleep? Isn't the first thing that comes to your mind the most disturbing of all? Now if you start your day on a note like this, how can you expect the rest of your day to be good?

     Expectation.. That is another advice that is most commonly given - "Do not expect, you will never be disappointed." But is it possible to not expect anything at all? A slight bout of expectation always exists, followed by the sinking feeling of disappointment.

    So why are you reading this article that is just telling you things you already know and feel every day? Why not just stop and focus on the little joy you have left in life? Guess what, you can have more than a little joy. Ever heard of the term 'train of thought'? Can you take a guess at who the porter for that train might be? You are. Believe me, you can choose which thoughts you let on board that train. Some amount of bad thought is bound to come on board, but it is the power of the good thoughts, which does not let the bad thoughts go beyond the first halt that helps you see clearly. And when you see clearly, things get sorted automatically. You begin to see the right path ahead, and what follows, are the good things in life; the best outcomes of your actions.

     Now this might seem to you as another free advice, but trust me, it is being practised by yours truly. So what do you say, let's fill that train with only those thoughts that we want, and kick the rest back to the platform?

There Is A 'G' In 'Alphabet'!

     Innovation, Technology, Making The World A Better Place. 'Google' stands for all of these. The word, which had no meaning whatsoever about 17 years ago save for its phonetic similarity to the word 'googol' (10 to the power 100) which it was originally going to be called, is now a near inseparable part of our lives. With its numerous products to assist our daily activities, this brainchild of  Larry Page and Sergey Brin has earned its place among the greatest organizations in the world.

     In a recent turn of events, the company announced that it is no longer going to be called Google. WHAT?!

     Please excuse the dramatics, what I meant was that it is now creating a new publicly traded parent company called Alphabet Inc. to house all of its disparate businesses. This conglomerate will have Google as its largest subsidiary, and here's where we Indians have a second of pride, the executive who will replace Larry Page as Google’s CEO is an Indian - Sundar Pichai.

     This is the third time in a year that a person with an Indian-origin who started at the bottom has gone on to become the top executive of a tech-giant. It was only last year when Nokia and Microsoft appointed India-born Rajeev Suri and Satya Nadella, respectively, as their CEOs.

     I am not going to talk about how the restructuring of Google is similar to that of Berkshire Hathaway, or the transparency that it is supposed to bring in, nor am I going to sing praises for Mr. Pichai, who can be called the reason I, and billions of others are using Google Chrome, or how his management of Android is giving Apple a tough fight. There are, by now, thousands of articles on these and many more topics on the web and in print. Don't get me wrong here, I am not trying to undermine his efforts and success. No person in their right mind would do that. 

     Born in a humble family in Chennai, Pichai, who will be the first CEO of Google that isn’t a white man. An engineer from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, his family had to put everything they had on the line to facilitate his coming to America to study materials science and semiconductor physics at Stanford. From a product manager at Google to the SVP of Android, Chrome and Apps, and now CEO designate, he has seen it all. Kudos to that.

     What I really want to bring to the table is, what makes Indians the best choices for such positions? It cannot be a coincidence that the Indians who have been chosen to head these companies have all been really long term employees. 

     Indians have been known worldwide for their academic prowess and managerial skills. They have proved their ability to work and deliver under pressure, and have enabled the change of perception that Indians cannot lead, only follow. 

     The West has realised that the cradle of future technology is on Indian soil, and that in order to get more Indians on board, they must have an exemplary Indian lead them, so as to attract more like him into their fold. If this is true, aren't they getting the better end of the deal? We have been battling a 'brain-drain' from India to the West for decades now. While the drain is due to better living conditions and perceived better opportunities abroad, it is impacting the huge number of untapped vistas we have here. 

     Opportunity is relative. While some may find more opportunity where most people have achieved success, others create opportunities where there has been limited or no success in recorded history. We have stark examples before us that prove this - right from a taxi service on your beck and call to a space shuttle that takes you to the moon and back; right from setting up a marketplace on the internet to an actual affordable market chain across the world; and finally from a search engine to a driverless car. 

     So congratulations Mr. Pichai on your remarkable achievement, we couldn't be any prouder. But for those of you who emulate him, remember, where we stay isn't so bad either. After all, the Americans did not invent the Alphabet!