How Can We Matter

The German phrase ‘ Auf Wiedersehen ’—literally meaning ‘ until we see each other again ’—was one of the first expressions I learned in a German class at IIT Madras back in 1970. Decades later, during the 1990s while working with MAPS Geosystems in Sharjah, that early exposure to the language proved immensely useful during my extended stays at our Munich office. Reflections on Goodbye Now, I find myself offering an ‘ Auf Wiedersehen ’ not just to close friends, but to the familiar nooks and beloved surroundings of our apartment complex. My wife and I are embarking on a prolonged stay at her mother’s home in Kozhikode to support her during her twilight years. Although she has a caregiver, my wife and her sisters take turns so she is never left on her own. Now in her nineties, she is wrapped in the gentle devotion of her daughters, who share the duty of staying by her side. I softly whisper ‘ until we meet again ’ to the fellow seniors I meet thrice weekly, to my ' tai chi ' cor...

When the LoP Turns Democracy on Its Head The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is meant to be the conscience keeper of Parliament—a voice that tempers government power with reasoned critique. Yet today, that role is being twisted into something far more destructive: a posture of relentless hostility that threatens the very foundations of India’s democratic order . LoP and Senior Party Leaders From Watchdog to Wrecking Ball Opposition to the Government is vital. It ensures accountability, exposes flaws, and offers alternatives. But when every government move is met with automatic rejection, the LoP ceases to be a watchdog and becomes a wrecking ball . Constructive dissent is replaced by reflexive obstruction, leaving governance paralyzed and citizens disillusioned. Silence of the Seniors The tragedy is not only in one man’s reckless stance, but in the collective abdication of responsibility by senior leaders like # AbhishekManuSinghvi and #ShashiTharoor . Instead of guiding, correcting, or...

A grandson once asked his 80‑year‑old grandfather:   “Grandpa… how did you manage to love Grandma, the same woman, for sixty long years?” Symbolic representation of 7 phases. The boy expected lessons in patience, compromise, or heartfelt honesty. But the old man simply smiled, looked tenderly at his wife, and with a mischievous wink, answered his grandson :   “What makes you think I loved the same woman for sixty long years?” These words left the grandson deeply confused. With a gentle smile, the grandfather went on to explain: In my twenties, my heart belonged to a vibrant girl, radiating joy and youthful charm. By my thirties, I was captivated by a devoted mother, staying up through the quiet hours to comfort our sleeping child. In my forties, I admired a resilient partner who carried our family’s challenges with quiet dignity. By my fifties, I fell for a compassionate woman who willingly set aside her own aspirations to secure our children’s tomorrow. In my s...

In November 2020, I shared how I was able to reconnect with my colleague from the Space Applications Center (ISRO) - Ahmedabad, Dr. K. S. Rao ( Kota Siva Sankar Rao ) , after a gap of thirty‑five years. DR K S Rao on the right See the section  Reconnecting With Dr K S Rao at the end. A Calling Beyond Retirement In that post, I recounted how, following his retirement, Dr. Rao and his wife, Mrs. Vasantha Rao, devoted themselves to establishing the Prabhupad Ashram at Vasavi Nagar Colony, Jandrapeta, Chirala, Andhra Pradesh. What began as a new chapter in their lives soon revealed itself as their true calling. Together, they immersed themselves in philanthropy, social service, charitable initiatives, and spiritual pursuits. Their journey stands as a testament to the power of purpose discovered later in life—a reminder that fulfillment often lies not in professional achievements alone, but in the quiet, selfless acts that uplift others. A Tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Rao This tribute is of...