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Ensure you read the three books on cancer stories mentioned below.
Attended Lucknow Farmers Market on 1.11.26 and spoke on Cancer
25/10/26 GULLIVER ECONOMIC TIMES
GULLIVER 25/10/26 ECONOMIC TIMES
REMEMBER, FOR EVERY GULLIVER THERE ARE MANY LILLIPUTIANS
“Beware- and be aware – of survivorship bias, which makes us focus on astonishing and inspirational stories, while ignoring numerous cases of individuals on the same track who never came close to success”
Data Cruncher
Atanu Biswas
Jonathan Swift’s great satirical novel, Gulliver’s Travels, was published 300 years ago this week — on Oct 28, 1726– with the original title, ‘Travels Into Several Into Several Remote Nations of the World. In Four Parts. By Lemuel Gulliver, First a Surgeon, and then a Captain of Several Ships.’
There is something oddly soothing about Lemuel Gulliver. He goes through life threatening situations such as storms, shipwrecks, pirates, being left by his companions, and mutines, and still manages to survive and tell the tale. Gulliver’s story is, by nature, a survivor’s story.
His extraordinary adventures — in Lilliput, where tiny people are constantly fighting petty political feuds; in Brobdingnag, where giant humans criticize European customs; in Laputa, a place full of impractical intellectuals cut off from the real world: and in Houyhnhnms, where rational horses coexist peacefully with humanoid savages called Yahoos–make every extraordinary danger appear survivable.
Which is why we should look at Gulliver through the lens of an idea that sounds thoroughly modern: survivorship bias
The idea of survivorship bias can be traced back to Diagoras of Melos, a 5th century BC Greek poet and sophist, or professional travelling teacher. Diagoras, an atheist, was once shown some painted tablets depicting sailors who had prayed during a violent storm and survived shipwreck. He asked a deceptively simple question: “Where are the pictures of all those who prayed and then drowned?”
That question carries a remarkable modern insight: we tend to build our understanding of things from what is visible, and ignore what is not, or has disappeared/removed. It’s the essence of survivorship bias–a tendency to overestimate the likelihood of success, because failures have quietly vanished from our field of vision, along with the corresponding data.
More than 200 years after Swift, statistician Abraham Wald encountered a remarkably similar problem during WW2. The military wanted to reinforce bombers returning from combat. Analysts examined bullet holes in the aircraft that had made it back home. The obvious suggestion was to add armour to the places where the aircraft had suffered the most damage.
Wald saw a trap. The aircraft being examined were survivors. They had been hit and had nevertheless managed to return. Wald realised that the damage visible on the returned planes weren’t necessarily the most vulnerable places in the aircraft. Absence of damage in a particular area could be more ominous if a hit there prevented the aircraft from returning. The lesson was to consider not only the survivors, but also those who didi not survive. One of the most important statistical ideas is to account for both groups.
As humans, we focus on astonishing and inspirational stories — like a runaway boy becoming a film star, or a street food seller becoming a famous sportsman — while we ignore that numerous such individuals never came close to success.
A college dropout, now a successful entrepreneur, can tell us how taking risks and ignoring conventional wisdom ‘made the difference’. Maybe it did. But thousands may have taken similar risks, ignored similar advice, worked just as diligently, only to close their businesses. Their stories don’t appear in newspapers, business schools, or inspirational books.
In his 2007 book, The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, Nasim Nicholas Taleb called data obscured by survivorship bias ‘silent evidence’. Success has a microphone; failure often has silence.
Over the last 300 years, Gulliver’s Travels itself has undergone a kind of cultural selection. It’s been rewritten, abridged, illustrated, translated, parodied, and adapted into various media. But the Gulliver most people remember is not necessarily the one Swift originally created.
Children’s Gulliver, cinematic Gulliver, comic Gulliver have all survived Swift’s original satirical Gulliver, making Lemuel a survivor twice over: first as a traveller, then as a cultural character.
So, three centuries after Gulliver and about two-and-a-half millennia after Diagoras, the question remains the same: where are the stories of those who didn’t survive, the Lilliputians of history and data?
(The writer is professor of statistics, Indian Statistical Institute (ISD), Kolkata
11/11/26 Speaking Tree Economic Times Care for Nature … By Kamlesh Tripathi
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Happy to share my piece published in the Speaking Tree Economic Times titled Care for Nature. Hope you enjoy reading it.
QUOTES 10/11/26
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QUOTES 6/11/16
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Everything changes nothing changes
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It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference…TOM BROKAW
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Supreme Self is mistaken for this universe by the power of maya. If we think deeply, the universe disappears and Brahmn alone remains…THUS SPAKE SRI RAMA
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Panic causes tunnel vision. Calm acceptance of danger allows us to more easily assess the situation and see the options…SIMON SINEK
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For an oil lamp to burn, the wick has to be partially immersed in the oil. If the wick is completely drowned in oil, it cannot bring light. Life is like the wick of the lamp; you have to be in the world and yet remain untouched by it… SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
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The definition of today’s AI is a machine that can make a perfect chess move while the room is on fire… ANONYMOUS
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What is there in a name? It is merely an empty basket, until you put something into it…CHARLES BABBAGE
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To be an ideal guest, stay at home…EW HOWE
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I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, Present, and Future. Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out lessons that they teach… CHARLES DICKENS, A Christmas Carol
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Our failure to properly deal with Germany and Japan early cost the world dearly later on. We dare not make the same mistake with China…STEVE FORBES
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Diabolical forces are formidable. These forces are eternal, and they exist today. The fairy tale is true. The devil exists. God exists. And for us, as people, our very destiny hinges upon which one we elect to follow…ED WARREN
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This is not a how-to book, whether to build an economy, an army, or a nation. It is an account of the problems my colleagues and I faced, and how we set about solving them…LEE KUAN YEW, The Singapore Story
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Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them…STEVE JOBS
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Important Verses from The Bhagavad Gita
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Important Verses from The Bhagavad Gita
Kamlesh Tripathi
The Bhagavad Gita is a treasure house of moral wisdom. Spoken by Lord Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, it offers timeless lessons on duty, honesty, self-control, humility, courage, compassion, equanimity and the art of living. Below are fifteen important verses from the Bhagavad Gita in Roman English that convey valuable moral lessons in everyday life.
Do your duty without attachment to results: “Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana, Mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi.” You have the right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Do not make results your sole motive. Focus on effort rather than obsessing over success or failure. Do your best and accept that not everything is under your control.
Maintain balance in success and failure: “Yogasthaḥ kuru karmā saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya, Siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate.” Perform your duty with steadiness, abandon attachment, and maintain balance in success and failure. Do not let success make you arrogant or failure destroy your confidence, as both are temporary.
The soul lives beyond death: “Na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ, ajo nityaḥ, śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre.” The soul is never born, nor does it die. It is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. The Gita encourages us to look beyond physical existence. It provides spiritual comfort in bereavement.
Control your mind: “Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet, Ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ.” Let a person elevate oneself through one’s own mind. The mind can be one’s friend, or one’s enemy. Our thoughts and habits can either help us grow or hold us back.
Beware of desire and anger: “Dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate, saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ‘bhijāyate.” Dwelling repeatedly on sense objects leads to attachment; attachment gives rise to desire, and desire leads to anger. Uncontrolled desire and attachment can disturb judgement and lead to anger and destructive behaviour.
Do not surrender to cowardice. “Klaibyaṁ mā sma gamaḥ Pārtha naitat tvayyupapadyate, Kṣudraṁ hṛdayadaurbalyaṁ tyaktvottiṣṭha parantapa.” Face difficult situations with courage and responsibility. Speak up against injustice, acknowledge mistakes and confront necessary challenges rather than avoiding them out of fear.
Uphold righteousness: “Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata, abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham.” Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest Myself. Do not remain indifferent when dishonesty, exploitation or injustice becomes normal. Act responsibly to uphold what is right.
Practise humility and freedom from ego: Amānitvamadambhitvamahiṁsā,kṣāntirārjavam, ācāryopāsanaṁ śaucaṁ sthairyamātmavinigrahaḥ.” Humility, absence of pretence, non-violence, patience, and straightforwardness are among the qualities of wisdom. True greatness does not require arrogance or showmanship. Give credit where it is due, admit when you are wrong, and treat others respectfully.
Cultivate compassion and goodwill: “Adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca, nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī.” One who bears no hatred towards any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, balanced in pleasure and pain, and forgiving, is dear to Krishna. Compassion and forgiveness are signs of spiritual maturity.
Speak truthfully and without causing needless hurt: “Anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat, svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate.” Words should be truthful, considerate and useful. Before speaking, ask whether your words are true, necessary, and won’t hurt anyone.
Conquer anger and greed: “Tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśhanam ātmanaḥ,
Kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhastasmādetat trayaṁ tyajet.” Desire, anger and greed are three gates leading to ruin. Unchecked impulses can destroy relationships, judgement and peace of mind. Practise moderation, pause before reacting in anger and resist the temptation to gain at another person’s expense.
Act according to your duty: “Tasmādasaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samācara, asakto hyācarankarma paramāpnoti pūruṣaḥ.” Always perform the work that ought to be done without attachment. By acting without attachment, a person attains the highest goal.
See the same divine presence in all beings: “Sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānaṁ sarva-bhūtāni chātmani īkṣhate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-darśhanaḥ.” A disciplined person visualises the Self present in all beings and all beings in the Self, viewing everything with equal vision. Look beyond caste, class, wealth, status and outward appearance when judging a person’s worth.
Knowledge is the biggest purifier: “Na hi jñānena sadṛiśaṁ pavitramiha vidyate.
Tat svayaṁ yogasṁsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati.” Nothing can be more purifying than knowledge. Always be ready to learn. Question your assumptions and develop the skill to distinguish what is right from what is merely convenient.
Surrender fear and seek refuge in the Divine: “Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja, Ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ.” Abandon all forms of reliance and take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins. Do not grieve. Trust in the Divine. Do what is right, accept your limitations and seek spiritual strength, says Lord Krishna.
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
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GOVARDHAN: A CELEBRATION OF FAITH, GRATITUDE AND NATURE
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Govardhan: A Celebration of Faith, Gratitude and Nature
Kamlesh Tripathi
Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut, is celebrated on the fourth day of Diwali festivities, traditionally on the first day of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival commemorates Lord Krishna’s divine act of lifting the Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the people of Braj from the torrential rains sent by Lord Indra, the god of rain.
According to the Bhagavata Purana, Krishna persuaded the people of Braj to worship Govardhan Hill instead of performing elaborate rituals to please Indra. He explained that the hill, forests, rivers and cattle sustained their lives and deserved their gratitude. Angered by this change, Indra unleashed devastating rainfall upon Braj. Krishna then lifted Govardhan Hill like an umbrella, providing shelter to the villagers and their cattle for seven days. Eventually, Indra realised his mistake and acknowledged Krishna’s divine greatness.
The festival is celebrated by preparing and offering a variety of vegetarian dishes, known as Chhappan Bhog, to Lord Krishna. Temples are beautifully decorated, and devotees perform Govardhan Parikrama as an expression of their devotion.
Beyond its religious significance, Govardhan Puja conveys a timeless message: respect nature, remain humble in the face of power, and be grateful for the resources that sustain life. It reminds us that true divinity lies not merely in rituals but also in protecting nature and serving all living beings. In essence, Govardhan Puja celebrates the triumph of humility over arrogance, faith over fear, and nature over human vanity.
William Wordsworth’s poem The Tables Turned (1798) celebrates Nature as a source of wisdom, moral instruction, and spiritual enlightenment. His famous exhortation, “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your teacher,” encapsulates the central philosophy of the poem.
The connection with Govardhan Puja is particularly striking. Lord Krishna teaches the people of Braj that their lives depend upon the hill, forests, rivers, and cattle rather than merely upon elaborate rituals. Similarly, Wordsworth believes that Nature offers profound lessons that human beings often fail to recognise. Both celebrate Nature not merely as a physical landscape but as a living source of wisdom and spiritual nourishment. While Krishna protects Nature’s dependents from Indra’s destructive arrogance, Wordsworth urges humanity to approach Nature with humility and an open heart.
The core theme of ‘The Tables Turned’ by Wordsworth is nature. Nature is a superior teacher and moral guide compared to books, science and academic study. The poem urges the reader to “Up! up! my friend, and quit your books” and let nature be the teacher. Over-analysing life through books creates “dull and endless strife”.
“One impulse from a vernal wood / May teach you more of man, / Of moral evil and of good, / Than all the sages can.” Wordsworth argues that a single, intuitive feeling or moment of connection in nature offers deeper moral and human truths than all the books written by philosophers, scientists, or “sages”. Nature imparts a “spontaneous wisdom” and “truth” that cannot be calculated or extracted through scholarly toil.
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
***
Fifteen Verses from The Bhagavad Gita
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Fifteen Verses from The Bhagavad Gita
Kamlesh Tripathi
The Bhagavad Gita is a treasure house of moral wisdom. Spoken by Lord Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, it offers timeless lessons on duty, honesty, self-control, humility, courage, compassion, equanimity and the art of living.
Below are some fifteen important verses from the Bhagavad Gita that convey valuable moral lessons, with their Sanskrit text, English meaning and practical application in everyday life.
Do your duty without attachment to results. Remain balanced in success and failure. The soul is beyond bodily death. Control your mind. Beware of desire and anger. Do not surrender to cowardice. Uphold righteousness. Practise humility and freedom from ego. Cultivate compassion and goodwill. Speak truthfully and without causing needless hurt. Conquer anger and greed. Act according to your duty. See the same divine presence in all beings. Knowledge is a purifier. Surrender fear and seek refuge in the Divine.
1. Do your duty without attachment to results: Chapter 2, Verse 47 — Karma Yoga: Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣhu kadāchana
Mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ’stvakarmaṇi. It means you have a right to perform your duty, but not to the fruits of your actions. Do not make results your sole motive, nor become attached to inaction. Focus on sincere effort rather than obsessing over success or failure. Do your best and accept that not everything is under your control.
2. Remain balanced in success and failure: Chapter 2, Verse 48: Yogasthaḥ kuru karmā saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya | Siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate.” Perform your duties with inner steadiness, abandoning attachment, and remain balanced in success and failure. Such equanimity is called yoga. Do not let success make you arrogant or failure destroy your confidence. Meet praise and criticism with maturity. Both are temporary, and neither should determine your entire sense of self-worth.
3. The soul is beyond bodily death, Chapter 2, Verse 20: na jāyate mriyate vā kadāchin nāyaṁ bhūtvā bhavitā vā na bhūyaḥ / ajo nityaḥ śhāśhvato ’yaṁ purāṇo na hanyate hanyamāne śharīre. The soul is never born and never dies. It is unborn, eternal and everlasting; it is not destroyed when the body is destroyed. The Gita encourages us to look beyond physical existence and reflect on the deeper nature of life. This verse can provide spiritual comfort in bereavement and encourage us to value character and inner growth over physical appearance or material possessions.
4. Control your mind: Chapter 6, Verse 5: Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
Ātmaiva hyātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ. Let a person elevate oneself through one’s own mind, not degrade oneself. The mind can be one’s friend, and the mind can be one’s enemy. Our thoughts and habits can either help us grow or hold us back. Discipline, reflection and constructive thinking help us overcome jealousy, fear, anger and self-doubt.
5. Beware of desire and anger, Chapter 2, Verse 62: dhyāyato viṣhayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣhūpajāyate/ saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ kāmāt krodho ‘bhijāyate. Dwelling repeatedly on sense objects leads to attachment; attachment gives rise to desire, and desire leads to anger. Uncontrolled desire and attachment can disturb judgement and lead to destructive behaviour. Learn to recognise envy, possessiveness and excessive craving before they begin to govern your decisions.
6. Do not surrender to cowardice. Chapter 2, Verse 3: Klaibyaṁ mā sma gamaḥ Pārtha naitat tvayyupapadyate / Kṣudraṁ hṛdayadaurbalyaṁ tyaktvottiṣṭha parantapa. “Yield not to unmanliness [or impotence], O Partha! It does not befit you. Cast off this petty weakness of heart and arise, O scorcher of foes!” Do not yield to weakness, Arjuna; it does not become you. Cast off this faint-heartedness and rise. Face difficult situations with courage and responsibility. Speak up against injustice, acknowledge mistakes and confront necessary challenges rather than avoiding them out of fear.
7. Uphold righteousness, Chapter 4, Verse 7: “Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata, abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham.” Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness rises, I manifest Myself. Dharma—righteousness, duty and moral order—must be protected when it is threatened. Do not remain indifferent when dishonesty, exploitation or injustice becomes normal. Act responsibly to uphold what is right. The verse specifically expresses Krishna’s divine manifestation; its everyday moral application is an interpretation of that teaching.
8. Practise humility and freedom from ego, Chapter 13, Verse 8: amānitvamadambhitvamahiṁsā kṣāntirārjavam, ācāryopāsanaṁ śaucaṁ sthairyamātmavinigrahaḥ. Humility, absence of pretence, non-violence, patience, straightforwardness, reverence for the teacher, purity, steadfastness and self-control are among the qualities of wisdom. True greatness does not require arrogance or showmanship. Give credit where it is due, admit when you are wrong, treat others respectfully and let your conduct speak for you.
9. Cultivate compassion and goodwill, Chapter 12, Verse 13: adveṣṭā sarva-bhūtānāṁ maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca | nirmamo nirahaṅkāraḥ sama-duḥkha-sukhaḥ kṣamī. One who bears no hatred towards any being, who is friendly and compassionate, free from possessiveness and ego, balanced in pleasure and pain, and forgiving, is dear to Krishna. Compassion and forgiveness are signs of spiritual maturity. Avoid needless hostility, listen to others and forgive where possible without abandoning sensible boundaries or justice.
10. Speak truthfully and without causing needless hurt, Chapter 17, Verse 15: anudvega-karaṁ vākyaṁ satyaṁ priya-hitaṁ ca yat | svādhyāyābhyasanaṁ chaiva vāṅ-mayaṁ tapa uchyate. Speech that does not cause needless agitation, that is truthful, pleasant and beneficial, along with regular study, is called austerity of speech. Words should be truthful, considerate and useful. Before speaking, ask whether your words are true, necessary and constructive. Honesty need not be an excuse for cruelty.
11. Conquer anger and greed, Chapter 16, Verse 21Tri-vidhaṁ narakasyedaṁ dvāraṁ nāśhanam ātmanaḥ | Kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobhastasmādetat trayaṁ tyajet. Desire, anger and greed are three gates leading to ruin; therefore, one should abandon these three. Unchecked impulses can destroy relationships, judgement and peace of mind. Practise moderation, pause before reacting in anger and resist the temptation to gain at another person’s expense.
12. Act according to your duty, Chapter 3, Verse 19: tasmādasaktaḥ satataṁ kāryaṁ karma samācara, asakto hyācarankarma paramāpnoti pūruṣaḥ. Therefore, always perform the work that ought to be done without attachment; by acting without attachment, a person attains the highest goal. Responsibility should not depend solely on personal reward. A parent, teacher, public servant or professional should fulfil legitimate responsibilities conscientiously, even when recognition is absent.
13. See the same divine presence in all beings, Chapter 6, Verse 29: sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānaṁ sarva-bhūtāni chātmani/ īkṣhate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-darśhanaḥ. The disciplined person sees the Self present in all beings and all beings in the Self, viewing everything with equal vision. Recognising a deeper unity among living beings encourages respect and reduces prejudice. Look beyond caste, class, wealth, status and outward appearance when judging a person’s worth.
14. Knowledge is a purifier, Chapter 4, Verse 38: Na hi jñānena sadṛiśaṁ pavitramiha vidyate / Tat svayaṁ yogasṁsiddhaḥ kālenātmani vindati. In this world, nothing is as purifying as knowledge. In time, one perfected through yoga discovers this truth within oneself. Wisdom helps us overcome ignorance, confusion and narrow-mindedness. Remain willing to learn, question your assumptions and develop the judgement to distinguish what is right from what is merely convenient.
15. Surrender fear and seek refuge in the Divine, Chapter 18, Verse 66: Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śharaṇaṁ vraja/ Ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣhayiṣhyāmi mā śhuchaḥ. Abandon all other forms of reliance and take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins; do not grieve. Trust in the Divine can provide courage and freedom from paralysing guilt and fear. Do what is right, accept your limitations and seek spiritual strength when life presents dilemmas that reason alone cannot resolve.
This is a central theological verse about surrender to Krishna, and its interpretation varies across Hindu philosophical traditions. In short, cultivate a sense of duty, equanimity, self-discipline, compassion and a sense of right speech in your personality.
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
***
POEM: THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS… HAPPY DIWALI
By Kamlesh Tripathi
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THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS—HAPPY DIWALI
Kamlesh Tripathi
It’s Diwali, the festival of lights,
That celebrates the victory of good over evil,
Truth over falsehood, hope over fear,
And spreads joy all over.
It’s five days of passionate festivities,
With sweets, rangoli, and lamps, freely available.
The fireworks ascend,
As darkness recedes and sorrow ends.
It celebrates wisdom dispels ignorance,
Pokes through the veils of the mind’s ignorance.
As Ashwin wanes and Kartik begins,
Amavasya’s darkness brings a new dimension.
Marked in October or November’s embrace,
It follows the harvest with warmth and grace.
Before winter descends with its chill,
The golden diyas shine to the hilt.
From Dhanteras and Dhanvantari’s healing art,
To Lakshmi and Ganesha, cherished in every heart;
The churning ocean’s treasures of yore,
Find echoes in legends and sacred lore.
Ayodhya glows as Rama returns,
With Sita and Lakshman in his fold.
Hanuman’s loyalty adds to the cheer,
As Diwali lamps magnify the cheer.
From Ravana’s fall to Rama’s victory,
From Krishna’s triumph over Narakasura’s cruelty,
With Shiva, Vishnu, Durga and Kali’s grace,
Gods and demons meet in myth’s timeless space.
Sparklers and phuljhadis brighten the skies,
As radiant sparks dance across the skies.
The darkest night wears a celestial glow,
While hopes blossom where lamps aglow.
In life’s struggles, Diwali brings light,
It’s an oasis of peace in a world of fright.
The cosmos adorns its glorious robe,
As countless lamps illuminate the globe.
May love conquer hatred, may goodness unite,
May every heart shine with compassion bright.
Let joy and peace bless every life—
Happy Diwali, a festival of light!
kamleshsujata@yahoo.com
(The author is a senior ex-corporate executive, a cancer activist and a columnist)
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
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Like it and Share it
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Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are for readers, including children and adults, and cover a wide range of topics. We also accept donations for our mission. If you wish to donate to the cause of cancer, please use the details below. The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
***
Book review: His for Revenge by Caitlin Crews
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His for Revenge by Caitlin Crews
Modern Mills & Boon Romance
His for Revenge by Caitlin Crews is a contemporary Mills & Boon romance built around the familiar themes of revenge, betrayal, passion and emotional reconciliation. The story explores how a desire to settle old scores can become complicated when unresolved feelings and romantic attraction resurface.
Synopsis
Zara Elliott finds herself walking down the aisle to marry Chase Whitaker, a handsome but emotionally cold businessman. The marriage is not born out of love but necessity: Zara must protect her family’s business interests. Chase, meanwhile, has his own hidden agenda. He intends to use the marriage as an instrument of revenge against Zara’s father, Amos Elliott, who occupies a powerful position in the Whitaker corporate establishment.
However, Chase has underestimated Zara. Her natural charm, beauty and unexpected emotional strength begin to disturb his carefully guarded defences. What starts as a calculated arrangement soon develops into an intense relationship charged with passion, resentment and vulnerability. Their wedding night becomes a turning point, complicating Chase’s carefully planned revenge.
As the two protagonists become increasingly entangled, the boundaries between vengeance and desire begin to blur. Chase must confront an uncomfortable possibility: that winning his revenge might mean losing something far more valuable. The novel explores how love can challenge bitterness, transform hostility and force individuals to reconsider their priorities.
Central theme: His for Revenge is a passionate contemporary romance about a marriage of convenience that becomes a battle between revenge and love, where emotional vulnerability ultimately threatens to triumph over calculated vengeance.
The book is quite explosive in terms of sex, and on certain pages you get a touch of porn.
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
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DIWALI—The Eternal Message of Light and Triumph
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DIWALI—The Eternal Message of Light and Triumph
Kamlesh Tripathi
Diwali originates from Indian mythology. It celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravan, the king of Lanka. Accompanied by Sita and Lakshman, Ram returns to his kingdom after rescuing Sita and defeating Ravan. According to the holy text, the people of Ayodhya welcome the royal family by illuminating the city with rows of earthen lamps.
The story is much more than a celebration of a victorious king. It signifies restoration of justice, fulfilment of duty, the power of perseverance and the victory of righteousness over wrongdoing. Hanuman’s unwavering devotion to Ram adds another dimension to the narrative.
Another important belief celebrates Krishna’s victory over Narakasura, whose tyranny had brought suffering to many. His defeat symbolises the liberation of the oppressed and the destruction of evil. The churning of the cosmic ocean, or Samudra Manthan, also occupies an important place in Diwali-related traditions. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the ocean during this event, linking the festival with prosperity.
The presence of Shiva, Vishnu, Durga, Kali and other deities in India’s broader religious pantheon further enriches the spiritual landscape in which Diwali is celebrated. Different regions emphasise different stories, demonstrating the remarkable diversity of Hindu belief and practice.
Diwali is traditionally celebrated over five days, each carrying its own significance, although customs and observances vary across regions.
The festivities begin with Dhanteras, an auspicious occasion associated with prosperity, health and well-being. Many families purchase gold, silver, utensils or other household items as symbols of good fortune. Dhanvantari, the divine physician associated with Ayurveda, is also remembered on this day.
The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali. It commemorates the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. The story celebrates liberation from oppression and the restoration of righteousness.
The third day is Lakshmi Puja, the principal Diwali celebration. Homes are cleaned and decorated, diyas are lit, and families worship Goddess Lakshmi, associated with wealth and prosperity, along with Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
The fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, Annakut or Bali Pratipada. Govardhan Puja recalls Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to protect the people of Braj from torrential rain, while Annakut celebrates gratitude for food and nature’s bounty.
The fifth day, Bhai Dooj, celebrates the affectionate bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being, while brothers reaffirm their love and commitment to their sisters.
Diwali’s significance extends beyond the popular narratives of Ram and Krishna. For Jains, the festival commemorates the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, the twenty-fourth Tirthankara, and recalls the spiritual light of his teachings. For Sikhs, Diwali coincides with the celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas, associated with the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment and his return to Amritsar. The Golden Temple is illuminated magnificently on this occasion.
Falling on the new-moon day, or Amavasya, of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. It follows the autumn harvest season in many parts of India and arrives as the weather begins to cool. The festival therefore combines religious observance with seasonal change. There is also a profound connection with the ancient Indian prayer from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: Asato mā sadgamaya,
Tamaso mā jyotirgamaya,
Mrityor mā amritam gamaya: Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from mortality to immortality.
Diwali and Hanukkah (The Jewish Festival of Lights): Both celebrate light, faith, hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. Diwali and Christmas: Both festivals emphasise joy, family togetherness, generosity, goodwill and the triumph of hope. Diwali and John Milton’s Paradise Lost: A fascinating literary parallel to Diwali can be found in the celebrated English poet John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost. At the beginning of Book III, Milton invokes divine light in the memorable words: “Hail holy Light, offspring of Heav’n first-born”
Despite its grandeur, Diwali’s true significance does not lie in the number of lamps lit, the value of gifts exchanged or the brilliance of fireworks. Its deeper purpose is to illuminate the human heart.
Written and posted by Kamlesh Tripathi
Author, Poet, & Columnist
*
https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com
*
Like it and Share it
*
Shravan Charity Mission is an NGO that works for poor children suffering from life-threatening diseases, especially cancer. Our posts are meant for our readers, including children and adults, and have a huge variety of content. We also accept donations for our mission. Should you wish to donate to the cause of cancer? The bank details are given below:
NAME OF ACCOUNT: SHRAVAN CHARITY MISSION
Account no: 680510110004635 (BANK OF INDIA)
IFSC code: BKID0006805
***
