The horrendous attacks in Paris have sent shivers down the spine everywhere in the world. This is a direct assault not only on the European way of life but on values that are common to all liberal societies. India has also suffered greatly due to terrorism over many years. Repeated attacks have caused a certain numbness in the human psyche in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places.
When such incidents happen, we hear a lot of cosmetic condemnation and diplomatic sympathy. We need to go into the root...
Gandhi Jayanti is an occasion to reflect on what we can learn from Gandhiji. Everyone’s life teaches us both what to do and what not to do. The ideals that Gandhiji set are an inspiration for generations - a sense of sacrifice, acceptance for everyone, an unbroken faith in satsang and dedication to the higher cause of the country and the welfare of people. But there were aspects of his life that teach us what not to do as well.
My teacher, Pt. Sudhakar Chaturvedi, who is still alive at 118 years...
There are usually two sides to a civil conflict and no matter who strikes first, eventually both sides are wounded. Conflict arises in the first place because both sides stick to their stand, yet to resolve the issue, both need to be made to rise above and look at the larger picture. Breakdown of communication is a major cause in escalating the dispute and thus, dialogue is an important tool in resolving it.
When I visited Latin America in June this year, we sent a message to meet with the leaders...
Life is unfathomable but people attempt to fathom it through diverse perspectives. Owing to its broad social, cultural and economic spectrum, nowhere is this diversity of beliefs as pronounced as it is in India.
When everyone is granted freedom of expression by the constitution, dissent is inevitable but violence is no way to express it. Anyone who responds to a dissenting view with violence only shows his cowardice. Noted scholar Prof. M.M Kalburgi from Dharwad was recently assassinated...