Organising Ourselves for a Better Tomorrow
And believe me, the first week of the year is the most promising as it infuses fresh enthusiasm and energy into our weary bones, making everything look doable.
And believe me, the first week of the year is the most promising as it infuses fresh enthusiasm and energy into our weary bones, making everything look doable.
Reading has been a big part of who I’m. Give me a book and I can spend days immersed in the parallel world, oblivious to the real world around me. There have been times when, because I was at some crucial point in the narrative, the house was ignored, cooking was near palatable, and sleep was a distant, disruptive activity.
Happy Diwali! Wishing all my readers a safe and prosperous Deepavali. May the lights from the diyas brighten up the lives of all our loved ones! Stay safe and say no to crackers.
Hindu mythologies are full of varying versions of the same stories, yet they all reach the same outcome – the celebration of good over evil. For example, the Navaratri puja is celebrated for different reasons in different parts of the country. In eastern and southern India, this festival is celebrated as Durga puja, to celebrate her vanquishing the demon Mahishasura and emerging victorious. In the northern and western states, Navaratri is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Rama over the asura king Ravana.
Bringing up a child is no laughing matter, especially in these times. Be it your own child or someone in your classroom, building a relationship with them is an incomparable achievement. It speaks of such deep trust and acceptance that it is humbling. The stress of the modern lifestyle and pressures is bringing changes in the family dynamics which has altered our relationships with not just the children but with all who are a part of our world.
In Hinduism, it is believed that Lord Ganesh must be worshipped first before starting any work. He is the remover of obstacles, the god of wisdom. Lord Ganesh has an endearing personality with his elephant head, love for sweets (especially modak) and amazing stories.
The Rath yatra, or the chariot festival as it is popularly known as, is celebrated in the month of June-July early year. As per the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated during the Ashadh, or the rainy season. The Jagannath Rath yatra is an important festival celebrated with pomp and glory in the eastern states of India, especially in Odisha.
What do we plan to leave behind for the generations to come? An exhausted and pillaged planet? Loads of plastic waste? A world divided on petty and frivolous excuses? Or do we want them to feel grateful for their inheritance? Maybe a better quality of life? A proud heritage? A rich cultural legacy? Individual decisions are based on individual circumstances but as a generation of people what are we leaving behind? I’ve often wondered about this and the answers are always different.