Swami Vivekananda

Mrinal Chatterjee

Window Seat

Swami Vivekananda, a luminary of Indian spirituality and philosophy was born as Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863. He died young- at the age of 39 on 4 July 1902.

He took formal sanyas (which means complete renunciation of worldly life, desires, and possessions in Hinduism to pursue spiritual enlightenment) with his fellow disciples in January 1887, following his guru Sri Ramkrishna’s passing. In a short span of less than two decades, he became a key figure in India's spiritual and national awakening through his works, teaching and philosophy.

Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism, Vedanta, and Yoga to the Western world, especially after his iconic 1893 speech at the Chicago Parliament of Religions, where he championed religious tolerance and Indian philosophy. He modernized Hinduism, emphasized service to humanity through the Ramkrishna Mission, inspired Indian youth, and promoted a message of strength, unity, and the potential divinity of every soul.

Swami Vivekananda continues to inspire millions worldwide. His teachings, rooted in Vedanta and Yoga, emphasize universal harmony, self-realization, and service to humanity. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, his message of inner peace and balance is more relevant than ever.

Vivekananda's emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment resonates deeply in contemporary society, where access to knowledge is crucial for progress. His advocacy for women's rights and social equality remains a guiding principle for those working towards a more inclusive world. Moreover, his call to "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" motivates individuals to strive for excellence and contribute to societal transformation.

Vivekananda's philosophy encourages a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, urging us to embrace our cultural heritage while addressing global challenges. His vision of a world united in diversity and his belief in the inherent divinity of every individual inspire movements for peace, sustainability, and human rights. As the world grapples with conflicts and environmental crises, Swami Vivekananda's timeless wisdom offers a path to inner and collective transformation.

Women at the Workplace  

On 2 January I found a review of a book titled 'Economica: A global history of women, wealth and power' in the daily Business Standard. The author Victoria Bateman was resident economic historian on the BBC Radio 4 series "Understand: The Economy" and is a historical consultant for documentaries as well as much-loved period dramas. Victoria is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and has spent twenty years teaching economic history at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, most recently as Director of Studies in Economics at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Contrary to the prevalent assumption, 'Economica' places women at the centre of the story of economic growth. Starting in the Stone Age and continuing to the present day, it takes the reader through the key economic milestones of the past twelve millennia - from the birth of farming to the advent of computing - all told through the experiences of women as well as men.

In the same day, same paper - there was a story titled 'When Women Doctors Step Away', which says, a silent attrition is hollowing out India's healthcare workforce, with implications for patient care and equity. The story details how women medical graduates are leaving the profession- for various reasons. The report says, 'an estimated 60 to 70 thousand women specialists do not enter the workforce despite a national need for 700 to 800 thousand more specialists.

This points out one fact: society must provide better conditions - socio-culturally so that women can engage more productively in their fields of specialization.

Tail-piece-1: Cartoons and Memes on Trump

After US elite commandos snatched oil-rich Venezuela President Maduro and his wife in a thriller film-style audacious raid on Caracas, capital of Venezuela, a sovereign Nation- there have been a tsunami of cartoons and memes on US President Trump.

Here are two cartoons by Subhani and Chandrasekhar Hada.

Tail-piece-2: Kurkure Momo

Had the uncharacteristic gall to order something called kurkure momos recently; and realised that the culinary, psychological and geographical distance between the Tibetan dumpling and neighbourly mochar chop has been courageously, and mindlessly, abolished. 

(Courtesy: Sayandev Chowdhury)