Warrier's blog

The Sound Of Silence "The Sound of Silence" is a famous 1964 song and lyrical poem written by Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel. It explores human isolation, the failure of people to truly communicate, and the quiet loneliness of a modern, neon-lit society. Key Themes of the Lyrical Poem Isolation: People living side-by-side yet remaining completely disconnected. Empty Communication: People "talk without speaking" and "hear without listening". Commercialization: Modern society bowing down to a superficial "neon god" rather than deeper truths. Opening Stanza Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again, Because a vision softly creeping, Left its seeds while I was sleeping, And the vision that was planted in my brain Still remains Within the sound of silence. Bonus : Speaking Tree, August 18, 2026 Silent attentiveness reveals sweet, unheard sounds - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-blogs/from-toi-print/silent-...

Taking a short break from routine. Will resume regular messages/responses from August 25, 2026. Regards M G Warrier A Cry, The Beloved Country https://amzn.in/d/0fWakVc8 Cry The Beloved Country is the deeply moving story of the Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people riven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its contemporaneity, unforgettable for character and incident, Cry the Beloved Country is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man. Summary Alan Paton's 1948 novel Cry, the Beloved Country follows Reverend Stephen Kumalo, a Zulu priest who travels to Johannesburg to find his family. He discovers his sister is a sex worker and his son, Absalom, has murdered a white civil rights activist, Arthur Jarvis. The victim's father, James Jarvis, overcomes his prejudices, leading to a poignant reconciliation between the two grieving fathers. The Journey to Johannesburg The Lett...

Independence Day Musings This year also Print Media Houses rolled out rolls of newsprint with advertisements, photo features, stories and news in the ratio 60 : 20 : 10 : 10 as part of Independence Day Celebrations for a week. Some 60 percent of the newsprint consumed will return for recycling through 'Ruddeewallahs". About 100 pages of printed matter was delivered to me also on August 15 & 16. This story is about one page that attracted my attention. The Hindu Sunday Magazine on August 16, 2026 carries a feature titled "The Geography Of Trust" by Navin Paul. Navin has been pedalling on his bicycle which he named Trooper 21000 km with his Nikon D850 camera, tent and clothes, across India. Besides his savings till mid-twenties, he part-financed sustenance during his 5 year adventure with sale proceeds of photo prints (edited on Photoshop and Lightroom) : Navin plans to publish the travelogue as a photobook. Navin's journey (which at some stage became a pr...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part III While listening to Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, I remembered how we celebrated Independence Day in school long ago. Reproducing an old blog post. Happy Independence Day M G Warrier A Current Affairs Nostalgia Independence Day 1957 at KRHS, Purameri https://share.google/lztHlYqTKlVnZcRg6 Independence Day, 2026 https://youtu.be/Gg8F8cU50n0?si=jdZvMR0Me5rYhHbq B Book https://amzn.in/d/03Oh7JUs Man's Search For Meaning By Viktor E. Frankl Book Description : In 1942, just months after marrying his wife, Viktor Frankl and his family were sent, first to the Theresienstadt concentration camp, and then to Auschwitz. A prominent Viennese psychiatrist before the war, Frankl was uniquely able to observe the way that he and other inmates coped with the experience of being in in the notorious concentration camp. During his time in the camps, he noticed that those who comforted others a...

The Editor The Economic Times August 12, 2026 Chat Room* Debates should get priority over disruptions This refers to the report "LS Passes Two More Bills Without Debate" (August 12). While protests in a democracy are part of the process of expressing concerns, in legislative houses down to Municipal Councils, regular business including legislation should get priority over protests. The stakeholders need to jointly arrive at some procedural arrangement to ensure this. Making In-house attendance of some threshold level mandatory for all members, conducting regular business in the first half of the day and fixing accountability for disruptions are some options which can be considered. Treasury bench need to accept the role of opposition in conduct of business and from their side opposition need to co-operate to ensure meaningful debates. M G Warrier Mumbai *A slightly edited version was published on August 13, 2026

Random Reading : August 12, 2026 Quote of the day : Adi Shankaracharya : Quote of the day by Adi Shankaracharya: “As gold purified in a furnace loses its impurities and achieves its own true nature, the mind gets rid of the impurities of the attributes of delusion, attachment, and purity through meditation and attains reality.”; What the monk and saint advises on purifying the mind through mindfulness - The Times of India https://share.google/ndzY2qiAesSpJnkgk A Universe is evolving https://share.google/QpXstrhWfPfnFi3lF Synopsis Human life reflects the larger order of the universe, moving through confusion towards balance and growth. By developing self-awareness, regulating the mind, overcoming ego and choosing compassion and wisdom, individuals can consciously participate in their own inner evolution. B Bonus : A very meaningful piece on Dementia* A Neurologist's Letter to His Family : ‘If I Get Dementia One Day’ ​Dr. Sung Shen-chu is a veteran neurologist from Chiayi...

Random reading : Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Henry "Henny" Youngman (March 16, 1906 – February 24, 1998) was an American comedian and musician famous for his mastery of the "one liner", his best known being "Take my wife... please". No, I didn't say this. I've copied from website. I was curious to know who thought it was a joke for doctors to give fee-based extension of life every six months to patients. Long ago, one of my colleague took his wife to a renowned specialist for consultation. During first two visits several tests were prescribed and third visit was mainly for collecting prescriptions for medicines and ascertaining future course of treatment. When final discussions were progressing, my colleague received an urgent phone call and with doctor's permission he went out of the consultation room. By the time he returned, his wife was crying and doctor was trying to console her. It turned out that in my colleague's absence, she asked th...

Responding to a message about cockroaches and Gen Z, today I allowed my thoughts to wander. Sharing unedited : "World doesn't stand still. Opinions and perceptions differ depending on what one is experiencing at the moment. Many of us get newspapers. Our selective reading habit black out 90 percent of world news. On TV several channels are available. But we have our own 'favourite' channels and select timing for watching the favourite content. Exceptions may be there.( I touch the TV remote only when it stops working or for changing cells.) In email and WhatsApp groups, we select our areas of comfort. We, some of us, decide about poverty based on the living standards of casual labourers we engage or the saree our maid wears. Exceptions are there. Many will depend on solid data. If possible, from international bodies. I have reached far away from cockroaches and Gen Z. Cockroaches will return to their original hideous. I believe Gen Z is doing well and will conti...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part II Good Morning Current Affairs CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture 2026 at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) https://share.google/93d6Wts61twFdrguI Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday urged both the Centre and states to play a key role in a right direction for attracting investments, framing the right policies and ensuring that parts of this country which have remained underdeveloped for a long time are brought on board to catch up with the rest of the country. "So, there is a role for the Centre and that role cannot be played by one or two states - never. But unless the states, and I mean each one of them, are empowered, given the resources and also provided with the means to build capacity, the aspirations of India cannot be met," Sitharaman said while delivering the CD Deshmukh Memorial Lecture 2026 at the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) here...

Good Morning The Video on AVS shared here is comprehensive and covers minute details about the premises, environment, costs and benefits. M G Warrier A Aryavaidyasyla, Kottakkal https://youtu.be/YS7j6VvRbSo?si=4pQf8yTix24dCq6p Excellent Video Picturization and narration. I understand the effort taken by this family and support from the Team AVS. We were at AVS for 14 days few months ago. So we could visualise the whole story. Hope this message reaches out to more and more people across the world and AVS becomes a model for knowledge and resources being converted as "Service to Humanity" We were at AVS during November-December, 2025. Excerpts from my. Blog Post on November 30, 2025 : Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Sunday November 30, 2025 Friends We are enjoying the hospitality of Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala from November 20, 2025. The hospital is well maintained and environment is serene in all respects. Read on Regards M G Warrier A The Spirit of AVS I'm...

Good Morning Importance of 'living in the present' is an age-old subject. From motivation speakers to psychiatrists and from KG teachers to great celebrities, all talk about the importance of this moment and finally time management. Present Moment Let's first read a short piece on "Present Moment" to pick up a couple of things over which we can do something to cultivate the habit of Time Management : https://share.google/oWvIwy7nevnwQq0Wb Synopsis : Prominent figures like poet Horace and mystic Kabir advocate for living in the present. Existentialists also point out that today is the sole certainty we have. Resisting procrastination is essential to reclaiming lost time. Rumi's insights remind us of the unpredictability of tomorrow. Meanwhile, Eckhart Tolle emphasizes the importance of cherishing the now, which is all we truly own. **** **** Time is understood and interpreted in different contexts in different ways. In Bhagavad Gita when Krishna says ...

Good Morning Some thoughts become universal quotes and some books become best sellers and sometimes classics. Most of the time, accidentally. Today's subject is one such book. A 177 page story, narrating a boy's journey, less adventurous than his thoughts! I'm writing about the book before completing reading it. M G Warrier The Alchemist I'm yet to read "The Alchemist"(1988) by Paulo Coelho. I have a copy of the English edition (Harper Collins Publishers, 1998 : Twelfth impression 2001) now on my table. The book is available @Amazon.in : https://amzn.in/d/0ePnKMMC Book description : "An international bestseller Over 80 million copies sold worldwideA PBS Great American Read Top 100 pickA special 25th anniversary edition of the extraordinary international bestseller, including a new Foreword by Paulo Coelho.Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millio...

Good Morning Many skip columns like Speaking Tree in Times and Faith in The Hindu (hope the column is still there!), sometimes thinking that spirituality and philosophy can wait. Current Affairs, politics, economics and finance should get priority over subjects relevant, may be post-retirement. Depends on personal priorities. Though l'm recording and sharing my random thoughts as and when they happen, I don't expect all the recipients of my messages to read them same day. But the available facilities allow me to preserve my notes in various ways to be available for future reference. Blogs, books, websites are all storehouses of thoughts. Once you upload writings on public domain, anyone including the author can access them on a future date. Of late, I have started accessing my own old blog posts to refresh my memory. M G Warrier Duryodhan Syndrome Duryodhan Syndrome: Know Right Yet Choose Wrong! https://share.google/pjNg94J6Y7c3kxis9 By Bhoosreddy (Chairman, UP-Rera)...

Remembering Mario de Miranda For Mario, cartoons were much more than jokes. Read on : Mário de Miranda: The Genius Who Drew a World https://share.google/XpEbnz3hF44hMCCG9 Excerpts : "Born in Daman in 1926, where his father Constâncio served as taluka administrator, Mário grew up in the Miranda manor in Loutulim, south Goa, amid old-world gentility, family lore, and a landscape that would nourish his imagination forever. He delighted in books, music, and sports, but most of all in drawing. He doodled village characters, celebrities, and family pets on walls, once joking, “In those days, I saw myself as another Michelangelo ... but it didn’t work out that way.” He attended Mumbai’s JJ School for a day, but felt trapped rather than freed by formal art education, and so joined St. Xavier’s instead. In 1949, he graduated with a degree in English Literature and considered joining the civil service. It is amusing now to imagine Mário as a bureaucrat! ***. ***. *** Oscar De Nor...

Good Morning Psychology Today They say, "little knowledge is a dangerous thing" May be true from their perspective. But your life's journey takes you to unknown territories and make you stumble upon subjects in which you get interested. Ever since a guest speaker introduced "I'm OK, You're OK" in a lecture during a training session(1969), I started observing human behaviour with a different curiosity. I started accepting the possibility of there being valid reasons for behaviour we consider abnormal. Each individual is unique. With unique challenges, unique opportunities, unique strengths, unique perceptions about threats and so on. Over to Steve Pavlina for a brief introduction to the subject "Transition from introvert to extrovert" : M G Warrier How to Go From Introvert to Extrovert – Steve Pavlina https://share.google/8mtzl9sIQsv6tjF3L "As a child I was very introverted, often spending my time on the computer, reading, playing...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, August, 2026 Part I Good Morning Long long ago, I used to pick up old copies of Psychology Today magzine from a footpath bookseller in Thiruvananthapuram. Later, I have read some Psychology and Psychiatry books to know more about the activities of human mind. Didn't learn or understand much. But the revelation that normal individuals cannot understand or comprehend the mind of an insane person itself made me interact with abnormal behaviour differently. I have mentioned in my book "Open Book Of Happy Memories" (2023) about three cases of insane behaviour which I had observed in close proximity : https://share.google/hSaTmg4m3RvN5LhQe M G Warrier A Restoring Self-confidence : Psychology Today Restoring self-confidence is built through action and reality-based competence rather than empty positive affirmations. Core strategies include taking concrete steps, challenging your inner critic, and adjusting how you compa...

Good Morning I was feeling lazy today. I gave a subject and asked Google Aunty to write something on the subject. Suggested using Reader's Digest. Here it is : M G Warrier Make the most of your life Making the most of your life, based on classic wisdom from Reader's Digest, centers on simple daily habits : practicing gratitude, setting clear goals, and nurturing close relationships. Core Life Lessons Be Grateful : Appreciate small daily blessings to boost your mood and health. Set Goals : Create simple plans to give your days clear purpose and direction. Help Others : Connect with people around you by performing acts of kindness. Live Now : Focus on the present moment instead of worrying over the past or future. Healthy Daily Habits Stay Active : Move your body every day, even if it is just a short walk. Rest Well : Get enough sleep and turn off screens early to relax. Stay Close to Family : Spend dedicated time with the people you love. Bonus : A WhatsApp forward : ...

Good Morning I don't endorse everything said in this piece(link below). But, borrowing an idea from something we quote often, I respect the freedom we get to express our thoughts, which people exercise miserly resulting in chaos later. The Frontline Weekly | The ants assemble! - Frontline https://share.google/lUXuW8hkAqGLSgkjR If the link opens, you can read an intro to a special edition a popular Indian magazine (Born in 1984) is bringing out covering the history in making. M G Warrier

Spotting the differences This was my response to an analytical piece "Why Gen Z India Stir is Different" published in ET on July 27, 2026 : "The events, 'spontaneous' gathering of tens of thousands of youth from different walks of life for a common cause at a sensitive location and the crowd 'clinching' a victory of sorts by forcing a minister to resign have been celebrated elegantly. It is now for the central government and the people to decipher the message and show the wisdom to repair the system which was responsible for the developments that caused the breakdown of the architecture, in the first place. The birth of CJP or the forced resignation of one minister have no parallels in the protests which threatened the regimes in Nepal, Bangaladesh and Sri Lanka except in the role of Gen Z. Earlier the real issues like corruption, inefficiency and sagging trust in governance are addressed, the better for India." M G Warrier

Good Morning M G Warrier Significance of AUM In the Upanishads, AUM (Om) is defined as the primeval, imperishable sound representing the entire universe, ultimate reality (Brahman), and the inner Self (Atman). It encompasses past, present, and future, serving as the ultimate tool for meditation and spiritual liberation. Structure and States of Consciousness The Mandukya Upanishad breaks down the sacred syllable AUM into four parts, mapping them directly to human states of awareness and cosmic reality: A (Akara): The waking state (jagrat), representing outward-facing consciousness and the physical world. U (Ukara): The dreaming state (svapna), representing inward-facing consciousness and the realm of mental dreams. M (Makara): Deep sleep (sushupti), representing a state of integrated rest where desires and dreams vanish. The Silence (Turiya): The fourth transcendent state, representing pure infinite awareness, peace, and the ultimate unified Self beyond the three spoken syllables....

Paradox of choice - The Economic Times https://share.google/CGlwYDuiTEcBMA34B Excerpts : "Decision-making presents challenges due to overwhelming choices and the fear of regret. Humans often face an anguish of freedom when choosing between attractive options. Krishn advised Arjun to embrace his duty and focus on moral responsibilities. Detaching from outcomes and cultivating a calm mind are essential for sound decisions. Arjun's reflection led to victory after applying these principles." This is not about philosophy. This is about a dilemma all of us face in everyday life. Too many choices or options available. Which dress to wear? Whether focus on health and family, or struggle for a wealthier, brighter future in some corner of the world? Whether plan short-term or long term, when it comes to career, savings etc? Whether to WFH(Work From Home) or go to Office? Whether to cook food at home, or order, or go out and eat? What to eat? Menu Card is not a Card, it's a b...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, July, 2026 : Part IV Remembering E X Joseph July 24, 2026 is second Memorial Day of E X Joseph. We had maintained a cordial, brotherly relationship ever since we met sometime in 1964. Prayers M G Warrier A Adieu, E X Joseph https://www.warriersblog.com/2024/07/adieu-e-x-joseph.html Excerpts : Dear Joseph *** "When we met first in 1964, I was still a teenager and you were Secretary General of All India Audit and Accounts Employees Association. You had come to address us (employees of AG's Office, Thiruvananthapuram) and all of us were amazed by your oratory which received continuous applause from the audience. We were not aware of your MA Economics background then. After restoring recognition of the Association, you left AG's Office and pursued journalism, law, writing poetry and books and what not, till recently, before giving up the practice in Supreme Court as Senior Advocate." *** During his stay in ...

Reserve first half for regular business The intro to the detailed report on disruption of proceedings in Parliament on front page in The Economic Times on July 21, 2026 (Detailed report was on page 2) captioned "Opposition Stalls LS on Opening Day; Stir Likely to Continue" engaged my attention. Perhaps, all Media Current Affairs desks keep such templates easily accessible for use any day during the period some legislative house is in session. So that, with appropriate update, this can be used without wasting time. I also have preserved a draft response ready for use, occasionally. So far, my response on this subject has not been published. Today... Sharing submitted version* : The Editor The Economic Times July 21, 2026 Chat Room Reserve first half for regular business This refers to the report "Opposition Stalls LS on Opening Day; Stir Likely to Continue" (July 21). Legislatures across the country, from upper house of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) to Loca...

Bergson’s philosophy of laughter https://share.google/yqgTPTlAHaIkwiVMS Nobel Lauraette Henri-Louis Bergson ( 18 October 1859 – 4 January 1941) was a French philosopher who was influential in the traditions of analytic philosophy and continental philosophy, especially during the first half of the 20th century until the Second World War, but also after 1966 when Gilles Deleuze published Le Bergsonisme. Leaving laughter for a moment, let's look at Bergson and his philosophy briefly : https://amzn.in/d/05hKWddy "Bergson and His Philosophy" by John Alexander Gunn is a landmark work that provides a detailed analysis of Henri Bergson's philosophical beliefs, a notable French philosopher of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Gunn dives deeply into Bergson's philosophical views, clarifying his thoughts on time, intuition, and the essence of reality. He delivers Bergson's ideas in a straightforward and understandable manner, making them accessible to...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, July, 2026 : Part III A Geetanjali https://youtu.be/HIEF4LIVMf4?si=ZLloaCYiOXoQWS9- B Econo-reflections : Dr T V Gopalakrishnan Developing Kochi as an International Financial and Forex Trade Hub under the auspices of RBI. Know more : https://econo-reflexions.blogspot.com/2026/07/a-vision-for-keralas-economic.html?m=1 C M G Warrier : Blogs & Links Explore the daily curation of articles, essays, and spiritual insights on Warrier's Blog, authored by former RBI General Manager M. G. Warrier. D Books M G Warrier https://amzn.in/d/0fywGd9s Kavitha Rao & Charukesi Ramadurai Everything You Wanted To Know About Freelance Journalism* https://amzn.in/d/001WS2aJ Reviewed @Amazon by M G Warrier : A comprehensive guide to freelance journalism Reviewed in India on 24 February 2021 Finding that post-retirement I have taken up freelance journalism as a hobby, my friend mentioned about this book during a recent interact...

AAARRRRGGHH!!!" by Rosemary Counter I was reading the six page article "AAARRRRGGHH!!!" by Rosemary Counter, published in Reader's Digest India (July 2026) that explores the psychological and physical mechanisms of aggravation*. It details how everyday frustrations push individuals from mild irritation to full-blown rage, and how introspection can help manage these reactions. In psychology, aggravation and anger are complex emotional states characterized by frustration, irritation, and the impulse to attack or defend. Exploring the psychological roots of aggravation and learning evidence-based management tools are detailed in the Psychology Today Basics of Anger. Aggravation typically surfaces when your goals are blocked, boundaries are crossed, or self-esteem is threatened. Understanding how and why these emotional responses occur can help you better manage them. Here are the core concepts and methods associated with aggravation : Hidden Triggers : Aggravation ...

Random Reading : In praise of rituals Meaning of life - The Economic Times https://share.google/iMOpjXo5Wmu1DCU3y Synopsis Rituals turn fear into hope. An example is when there comes a time when a deep question arises - with whom will I share my life? At such a juncture, dating becomes an important modern ritual. By definition, a ritual is an established, structured sequence of actions or behaviors often prescribed by religion, tradition, or social custom. These practices are repeated in a set, precise manner to mark significant life events, foster social unity, or create moments of mindful reflection and stress relief. In this article, Prithwis Datta elucidates the context and significance of traditional rituals and explains how new rituals evolve. Knowingly or unknowingly, many of us become part of some rituals or perform rituals which are not traditionally recognised as rituals. This writer classifies daily good morning messages, dating, weekly group video calls etc under ritual...

Random reading : Why should we not believe in God? https://share.google/BNYXrzLw5cl7OfBEB Hasmukh Adhia is a former finance secretary. The question he has raised here is worth pondering over. Perhaps an analysis with inputs about : Benefits of not believing/believing, Losses of not believing/believing may bring clarity. The content of this article can double up as such an analysis. I cannot further elaborate the existence of otherwise of a power centre receiving, processing and responding to our prayers. It's easier to believe that there's something supernatural in everything we consider natural. A friend used to quote an imaginary conversation between a man and God : Man : "My friends are not sure about your existence. Please give me a couple of tricks with which I can convince them." God : "Ok. Try this. Ask one of them to stop breathing till you ask to restart. Or Let one of them create a flower or a seed without using any of the things which are already th...

Random thoughts : Expressing Emotions While discussing how people express their feelings, one criticism was that people like me ration our smiles and suppress our real emotions. Fair observation indeed. My thoughts went back to sometime during last Century when I was watching a chat in an informal group of friends where Surya Krishnamurthy was present. One of them asked Murthy : "Murthy, why you look always grim and serious?" Murthy explained : "You are right. But how can one be happy when people around are unhappy?" That triggered a discussion on happiness. I too agree, a grim face makes people around also gloomy and serious. Psychology Today gives the following helpful guidance : Expressing emotions helps relieve stress, deepens relationships, and prevents the mental and physical tolls of bottling things up. Experts suggest framing feelings with "I feel..." statements rather than "You make me feel..." to communicate honestly without sparking...

Welcome To Warrier's Friends' COLLAGE, July, 2026 : Part II Good Morning A Random Reading : Voltaire Last week, one day, I was skipping through the pages of "Candide and Other Selected Writings" by Voltaire (2022 edition, Rupa). Read the short story "An Adventure in India" again. The advantages of bailing out one's writing as story are many. One can mix fiction, satire and reality in a pre-decided proportion. Synopsis : Voltaire's short story "An Adventure in India" (often included in his short romances) is a philosophical tale where the Greek philosopher Pythagoras travels to India. He converses with locals, witnesses religious fanaticism, and experiences the deep wisdom and contradictions of ancient Hindu traditions. Here is how the main events unfold in this classic Enlightenment satire: The Journey: Pythagoras travels to India on a quest for ultimate wisdom, meeting local Brahmins (scholars/priests) to learn about ancient s...

World Without Money* M G Warrier The thought of a world without money has fascinated me since my childhood days. Of course the reason for hating money those days was that I didn’t have money and my friends and neighbors enjoyed making me jealous by showing off the money power they possessed before me and others in my position. Take my own case, now. I have completed a somewhat successful career in a bank, have a bank account and have last year gained the status of a senior citizen. Still, I feel, the fellow who invented money and his followers who made it currency have done more harm than that unlucky wise man who invented atom bomb. Of course, now the reasons for my hatred towards money are more mature than jealousy. For a moment, imagine, man gets out of the clutches of money, or there is no money in the world. All symbols from $ to the one recently figured out for Rupee vanishes, everything else remaining the same. Yes, science and technology, all results of research so far, li...

Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, Chapter V Section 15 : Prayer This can be considered the final prayer of a person leaving his body after completing his assigned work in this world : The face of Truth is covered with a brilliant golden lid; that do thou remove, O Fosterer, for the law of the Truth, for sight. O Traveller, O Yama, O Surya, O Hiranyagarbha, take away thy rays, curb thy brightness. I wish to behold that most benignant form of thine. I myself am that person, and I am immortal. (When my body falls ) may my vital force return to the air(cosmic force), and this body too, reduced to ashes, (go to the earth)! O Fire, who art the syllable 'Om,' O Deity of deliberations, recollect, recollect all that I have done. O Fire, lead us along the good way towards our richest(deserts). O Lord, thou knowest, everybody's mental states; remove the wily evil from us. We utter repeated salutations to thee. (The man who has combined meditation with rites is praying to the sun in his dyi...

When Upanishads meet quantum secrets Synopsis : "The primary feature article in The Times of India's Speaking Tree column for July 9, 2026, is titled "When Upanishads meet quantum secrets". Co-authored by Shambo Samrat Samajdar and Shashank Joshi, the piece explores the profound intersections between ancient spiritual texts and modern quantum physics. Additionally, the July 9 edition features a companion blog post authored by Pandit Kashinath Mishra titled "Bhavishya Mallika Predictions: Shiva's Divine Grace, Destiny Change & Cosmos", which delves into cosmic destiny and spiritual healing. You can read the full text and access further spiritual insights directly on the Times of India Speaking Tree portal, or watch the daily discourses on the Speaking Tree YouTube Channel." Reading some Upanishadic affirmations in one place, I thought why not share the content with others! In my case, thoughts take a diversion when something more interestin...

Good Morning Random Reading : Trade marks of identity From time immemorial, the dress one wear, the jewelry, facial makeup, what you carry in your hands, the style of walking and so on gave an indication of the person's identity and character. If in doubt check : The different attires, ornaments and weapons of Kathakali characters : https://share.google/aimode/nyajsRnqQlPJxySvZ OR Ravi Varma paintings of deities : Raja Ravi Varma revolutionized Indian visual culture by blending European academic realism with traditional Hindu iconography. His breathtaking oil paintings and subsequent chromolithographs gave millions of everyday people access to divine imagery, earning him the title of the "father of modern Indian art". Some of his most celebrated paintings of deities include: Saraswati: Often considered his most iconic piece, the Hindu goddess of music, knowledge, and the arts is depicted gracefully with a veena. Lakshmi: The goddess of wealth and prosperity is typi...

The Editor The Economic Times July 6, 2026 Chat Room* Dear RBI, Let's Talk Monetary Apropos "A Little More Conversation" by Mythili Bhusnurmath (July 6), a call for more openness in the formulation and implementation of monetary policy by RBI is timely. Perhaps the architecture of the policy formulation mechanism in RBI has got decoupled from that of Federal Reserve in recent times. In the process of setting up MPC, without disturbing the statutory expectations from the central bank, GOI ensured that the deciding voice in monetary policy formulation will remain with government. This has almost silenced the 'Open Market' spars between RBI and GOI. Stakeholders other than GOI can contribute more in monetary policy formulation by proactively responding to RBI's formal policy announcements. M G Warrier Mumbai *Published on July 7

Good Morning Random Reading : Pursuing passion On Sunday, I get Sunday Mumbai Mirror with Sunday Times. Mostly, I read only one article from Mumbai Mirror. While scanning to select my article, I get a fair idea of the remaining content. I enjoyed reading yesterday's selection, copied above. My curiosity increased as I tried to know more about the story of the Italian artist who presented a painting titled "The Universal Form Vishwarupa" to PM Modi during the latter's visit to Italy in May 2026. The Italian at the court of Kurukshetra https://share.google/u5VMoQxh7jT5Dknt3 The artist, Giampaolo Tomassetti (71) has spent over 40 years forging an extraordinary visual dialogue between Renaissance Italy and ancient India. He has a dedicated collection of 24 Mahabharatham paintings completed between 2008 and 2013. Bhagavad Gita had great influence on the artist, which perhaps inspired him to learn more about Mahabharata. Mahabharata is often called a "spiritual an...

Warrier's Friends' Collage, July 2026 Good Morning Random Reading : Loneliness & Solitude A rainy Sunday morning in Mumbai cannot be conducive for writing about current affairs, philosophy or pure gossips. Neither for reading a book one loves. But the day doesn't dawn with a menu card, to chose from. Every next minute unfolds with its own agenda. This morning, I was reading some pages from "The Outsider" by Albert Camus (1913-1960). They related to a prisoner waiting execution being counselled by a messenger of God. We may not be able to fathom the thoughts of other individuals who are alone or love solitude. Remembered M T Vasudevan Nair's "Aalkoottathil Thaniye" (Alone in the crowd). Each one of us is alone at some stage in life. Not necessarily by choice. We, in many situations get a choice, though. Alexander Pope's classic work is titled "Ode on Solitude", a poem he wrote around the age of 12. It beautifully celebrates the...

World Outside : Italy RITA, Milan - Via Angelo Fumagalli 1, Zone 6 - Restaurant Reviews & Phone Number - Tripadvisor https://share.google/CUuFkCbQv8PDGvMlv Good Morning Sometimes, we read a wrong article. Like entering a wrong shop. This article about "Rita, Milan", I stumbled upon like that. First I thought Rita and Milan are young and eligible friends or characters in a story. You don't need an AI-supported App to allow your thoughts to wander. After Narada (read gossips if you are uncomfortable with Mythology), thought travels fastest. The other day, one of my readers said, "Nothing else, Warrier can move on to Spirituality and Mythology for a diversion." He's right. But by daily exercise like this will scare away the "Nothing else" situation for some more time. After reading half the article only I got some idea about the subject. Frankly, I'm not familiar with the vocabulary here. But, after reading the full article, I find it inte...

Vishwaroopadarshanam Bhagavad Gita, Chapter XI is titled "Vishwaroopadarshanam" (The Vision of the Universal Form). Arjuna was given 'Divya Chakshu' (Divine Eyes) and allowed to have a glance of Krishna's Vishwaroopam. Earlier, Krishna as a child had allowed a glimpse of his Universal Form by wide opening his mouth, to mother Yashoda when many alleged that he ate soil and she made him open his mouth to verify. God-realization through Practice of Renunciation The pocket edition of Bhagavad Gita brought out by Gita Press (Gorakhpur) has a 19 page writeup with this caption. The seven types of renunciation, possible even for the householder, listed therein are worth a look : 1 Total renunciation of prohibited acts. 2 Renunciation of acts performed for the satisfaction of worldly desires. 3 Total renunciation of worldly thirst. 4 Renunciation of the habit of extracting service from others with a selfish motive. 5 Total renunciation of influence and desire for fruit ...

Good Morning Smile alone During 1960's, I used to stay alone in a single-room in a fairly large hostel-type accomodation behind Thiruvananthapuram Secretariat. There were some 20 single rooms and around 60 double rooms in "Cooperative Home" Room No 3, Cooperative Home https://share.google/OaofAzl4P6lCPoh9M 20 to 30 residents were Reader's Digest subscribers. Some of them read the Digest cover to cover and the content became topic of discussion in post-dinner group meetings which sometimes crossed over to 00 00 hours. In some rooms there were accumulations of copies of RD safe in their wrappers. Some read only the jokes and "Life's Like That", smiled alone and kept the magazine on the table to show that they were "subscribers" Today, cover price of RD is Rs125/- When I started reading Digest, single copy price was less than Two Rupees. I may live for few more years to see the price going up to Two hundred Rupees. Nice Day M G Warrier

Good Morning Book on my table : "On The Shortness Of Life" By Seneca Last week while reading Seneca's book "Letters from a Stoic", I found a mention about this book in the introduction, with equal emphasis. Curious, I tried to know more and I was surprised to find that the book that has survived hundreds of years and covering a subject like "shortness of life" has only 56 pages and is priced just hundred rupees. Ordered a copy. Amazon description about the book reads : "De Brevitate Vitae (English: On the Shortness of Life) is a moral essay written by Seneca the Younger, a Roman Stoic philosopher, sometime around the year 49 AD, to Paulinus. Seneca's biting words still pack a powerful punch two thousand years later. According to the essay, nature gives people enough time to do what is really important and the individual must allot it properly. In general, time is best used by living in the present moment in pursuit of the intentional, purpos...

Managing stress The article "Stress Spaces You Out" (ET- Speaking Tree :Narayani Ganesh) concludes with this para : "Regular lifestyle practices that pre-empt any kind of stress include pranayam, meditation, chanting, walking and prayer. Self-affirmation can help auto-banish anxiety and stress." Pranayama is scientific/yogic management of breathing and is composed of 'breathing in', 'retaining breath' and 'breathing out'. There are different types of pranayama and to practice any of them, guidance of a teacher is necessary. Just as stress is the result of multiple physical and psychological reasons, managing stress also requires proper diagnosis of stress-triggers and following lifestyle changes, medication where necessary and exercise as advised by professionals in the respective areas. M G Warrier

Stoicism : A brief introduction Prayer https://youtu.be/YrO8qs5lOrA?si=mPCJRDp35mSjebDv There was a reference to Stoicism today in ET Speaking Tree(June 27, 2026) Stoicism My quick search to know more about Stoicism took me to a book "Letters from a Stoic" by Seneca : https://amzn.in/d/01Ul2uj3 Amazon description : What is the importance of friendship? How do we deal with challenges in life? And how do we look death in the eye and be not afraid? Letters from a Stoic is a compilation of carefully chosen letters that Seneca penned to Lucilius, letters which are personal essays that answer the questions stated above and many, many more. Translated from Latin into English by Richard M. Gummere, these are letters on a wide variety of topics, such as on having quiet conversations, on suicide, on the dynamic of a master-slave relationship, on grief, on god, and even on welcoming death. So, here is a book to give you a peek into a rich and complicated mind, a book that hol...

India growing! An experience while traveling by train from Bhusawal to Goa today... "Suddenly, my friend's 2-year-old son developed a fever. We didn't have any medicines with us, and there were still 7 hours left before reaching our destination, Madgaon. We thought about getting off at the next station, consulting a doctor, and then continuing the journey by road. Casually, I told a vendor selling goods on the train : “We need some medicine. Can you arrange it at the next station? I'll give you ₹500 for your effort.” The vendor replied, “No need for that. Meet the TTE (Ticket Examiner); your problem will be solved.” We immediately met the TTE. In all my life, I had never experienced such promptness from a government employee. He stopped what he was doing, made a phone call right away, noted down our seat number and the medical condition, and asked us to return to our seats. Honestly, we didn't expect much. We had already decided that if necessary, we would g...