Articles by Ravi P Bhatia
We found 186 results.
Max Müller – A Scholar Extraordinaire
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 May 2020
Although being German, Müller spent a considerable period of his life in England. He taught at Oxford University and was admired for his knowledge of classical Indian texts including the Upanishads and Vedas. He had access to several scholarly Sanskrit works that the East India Company had brought from India.
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The Little Prince and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 May 2020
Le Petit Prince was first written in 1943 in French with original drawings by the author himself and translated into many languages becoming the most translated book in the French language. As the publisher writes, it is a work of timeless charm and transparency. It is a moral fable of the troubled times during the WWII as well as a spiritual autobiography of Antoine St Exupéry himself.
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Sri Aurobindo — Philosopher, Nationalist, Spiritual Leader
Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 May 2020
A philosopher, a yogi, a linguist, a nationalist, a writer, a poet and a recognised spiritual person, these are some of the qualities of a person named Aurobindo (1872-1950) who was born in Calcutta, Bengal and died in the French colony of Pondicherry in South India.
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Positives of Corona Virus
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 Apr 2020
27 Apr 2020 – Ever since the world became familiar with the new pandemic named Coronavirus or COVID-19 about two months back, we have seen so many of its tragic features. But we hope the pandemic comes to an end soon and that the lessons learnt by people and the peace and harmony displayed are retained by humanity.
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Scientists and Spirituality — Moving away from Materialism
Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Apr 2020
Recently there was a report in newspapers about a 68-year-old American-born nuclear physicist who got inspired by the Hare Krishna doctrine. After becoming familiar with Vedic philosophy, he decided to move away from physics into the spiritual realm of ISKCON and became known as Guru Prasad Swami– the Physicist Monk.
→ read full articleParlez-Vous Français? — Do You Speak French?
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
13 Apr 2020
8 Apr 2020 – There are thousands of spoken languages in the world of which hundreds are dying every ten years or so. But the principal languages of the world apart from English are Chinese, Spanish, French, Hindi and Arabic. These are well established and spoken by millions of people.
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Acquiring Knowledge and Wisdom
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
6 Apr 2020
Knowledge appears in various forms and of various subjects — science, social sciences, mathematics, economics, etc. Not only newer forms of knowledge such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) or Robotics are emerging, but the nature and features are constantly increasing. I am using the word features to suggest the extension or details of the concept of knowledge.
→ read full articleBlack and White
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 Mar 2020
In today’s complex violent society power is expressed in terms of nuclear weapons and armaments that kill and mutilate large sections of people and our ecosystems. Let us confine ourselves to the non destructive, peaceful power of this expression.
→ read full articleRoadside Tea–Chaiwalas
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
23 Mar 2020
17 Mar 2020 – Tea is a cheap drink that most Indians relish at home and in restaurants. The word comes from the Chinese term cha from where it is presumed the tea leaves spread to different parts of the world.
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HOLI—The Festival of Colours
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
16 Mar 2020
13 Mar 2020 – The festival of Holi is one of the most colourful and joyful festivals of India. It is celebrated in the season of spring that is known as Basant in India. It comes at the end of the winter season — which can be quite cold in North India. Although many countries have four seasons in a year, India has six.
→ read full articleNaming – UnNaming
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
9 Mar 2020
Thus a person recognises himself/herself by the name given. Imagine if the name is removed from the person, what does the person think or feel?
→ read full articleLeaving Home, Changing Home
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Mar 2020
All over the world it is quite common to move from one’s home and change to another home or residence. There are varied reasons for this change — moving from a village to a town for education, for the purposes of getting a job, for escaping from riots or violence near one’s home.
→ read full articleRocky and Ravi — Stories of People and Films
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Feb 2020
17 Feb 2020 – When a child is born in some rural or less urbanised part of India, the parents, grandparents or some Guru in whom the family has faith, give the baby a name that they feel is appropriate to their God, season or nakshatra—-the position of some planets.
→ read full articleWhat Next — A Discourse on the Present and the Future
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
17 Feb 2020
Hinduism talks of karma and after life; if a person is kind, does good deeds in his/her present life, their next life will be better, enjoyable and rewarding as a consequence of karma. A natural question that arises is what are the factors or reasons for this dispensation of people in various walks of life to think about what next and how to do better in future. This is difficult to answer satisfactorily but it seems that in the contemporary world, insecurity and competition weigh heavily on peoples’ minds and on their behaviour.
→ read full articleTimes Gone By and the Contemporary World: Role of Religion
Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
10 Feb 2020
In the complex modern society of today there are wars, terrorism, violence and billions of dollars being spent on manufacture, sale, and distribution of deadly weapons. There is also poverty, inequality, loneliness and isolation on a social level. My feeling is that perhaps religion will offset the cruelty, isolation of the modern world and usher in peace, harmony, love and caring for each other in this unequal world.
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Gender and Caste Differences — Efforts at Overcoming Them
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 Jan 2020
23 Jan 2020 – Most countries and communities have various types of differences and consequent challenges — social, economic, racial, educational, gender etc. India has all these but there is one that is perhaps unique — caste difference or caste hierarchy.
→ read full articleRobotics and Artbeings — Fact or Fiction
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
13 Jan 2020
9 Jan 2020 – One has heard of Robots that can perform many tasks which humans can, and sometimes even better. Now there are reports of building artificial men and women — not robots, but human beings look-alikes, similarly dressed, that can speak some languages. What was the basic idea of inventing such artbeings (artificial human beings) has not been made clear.
→ read full articleStudying the Scope of STEM and Other Subjects in Our Academia
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
6 Jan 2020
Academic institutions —schools, colleges, universities offer various subjects for study and research. These subjects are generally grouped in broad categories such as Arts, Languages, Humanities, Commerce and Economics, Sciences, Mathematics, etc. These categories are broadly self explanatory; however, some subjects such as Geography, Sociology may be taught as parts of Humanities or Arts or even Science. A new combination that has recently emerged is called STEM.
→ read full articleDo Your Best
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 Dec 2019
In a recent symposium on Gandhi’s 150th Anniversary, a scholar mentioned that like Gandhi, we must do our best; we must be good patriots and work for the welfare of the people of our countries. This set me thinking–how can we do our best for our country or for society in general? I have completed seven decades of my life; have I been a good person, have I done anything for the welfare of our society? But how does one work for the good of other families, other people or society?
→ read full articleInteresting Aspects of Onions
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
23 Dec 2019
Onions bring tears to the eyes of most people because of their pungent taste. But today they are bringing tears as a result of their escalating price. This simple item is part of the ingredients of the meals — both vegetarian and non vegetarian that are cooked in India and in many South Asian countries. The only people who do not use it in their meals belong to the faith of Jainism.
→ read full articleProper Nutrition for Education
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
16 Dec 2019
It is a well known fact that proper nutrition is essential especially for children’s bodily and mental development; otherwise they may become stunted and have difficulties in learning. Children also need to play and jump — activities that require balanced diet and nutrition.
→ read full articleIn Indigenous Lands
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
9 Dec 2019
4 Dec 2019 – Like many countries in the world, Australia had several indigenous peoples, often called aboriginals or tribes, living in this subcontinent. Again, as in other countries, these peoples were conquered, crushed and their cultures, cuisines, knowledge systems destroyed. These peoples have become extinct except for a few stray tribes who still exist in small numbers and who are difficult to see in most places.
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Gandhi and Tolstoy
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Dec 2019
As we celebrate the 190th anniversary of Leo Tolstoy and the 150th of Mahatma Gandhi, we are in fact reinforcing the values of truth, nonviolence, simplicity, peace, justice and harmony as promoted by these great personalities. May their beliefs and actions strengthen our resolve to fight the evils in our societies!
→ read full articleFestivals and Features Related to Our Moon
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Nov 2019
Like the sun, the moon also plays an important role in the lives of people around the world and especially in India. Many poems and songs are recited in praise of the Moon especially on the Poornima and amavasya (Full moon and new moon nights).
→ read full articleSome Challenges, Some Thoughts on Life and Death
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Nov 2019
The Hindu treatise Bhagwad Gita says that everything happens for a good reason. It adds that ‘One who has taken birth is sure to die, but after death one is certain to be born again’. With this knowledge, one should not grieve too much at the death of any dear one. Let us live peacefully, harmoniously, meaningfully in the life that we are born in.
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Gandhi after His Anniversary
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
11 Nov 2019
Artist Debanjan Roy from Kolkata has depicted Gandhi in a different light. He feels that Gandhi has often been misused by politicians to publicise their own narrow agendas. Roy has depicted Gandhi and his wife Kasturba as a set of Russian dolls. He feels that Gandhi learnt many aspects of his politics from Kasturba. Gandhi was also influenced by his mother Putli Bai — for his religious amity and regular fasting.
→ read full articleBanana Party–Serving Divinity
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Nov 2019
Why do people buy and serve bananas to monkeys? In the Hindu faith, Hanuman, the legendary follower of Lord Ram, looks like a monkey and can even jump over mountains and hills in the service of Ram Bhagwan. It is no surprise that many people who serve bananas to the hordes of monkeys feel that they are serving the brave Hanuman. In many places these animals have become a menace. But how to tackle the problem since faith is involved?
→ read full articlePain and Pleasure — Laughing Away One’s Blues
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
28 Oct 2019
Humankind has several emotions — not only pain, pleasure, but sorrow, greed, kindness, happiness, attachment, love, anger and several others. Perhaps the most common emotions are happiness or bliss and sorrow, or depression, sadness.
→ read full articleDying with Dignity, Not in Isolation
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Oct 2019
Recently I read a rather uncanny report of some people in the USA getting an invitation for Death over Dinner. Why bizarre! Normally, talking of death is considered taboo.
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Moving Home, Leaving Home
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
14 Oct 2019
An Englishman had written many years ago that his home was his castle, meaning thereby that he could do what he wanted in his home and no one could enter it without permission.
→ read full articleUNGA — Meeting Ground for Discussion, Debate and Decisions
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
7 Oct 2019
30 Sep 2019 – The UNGA meets every year in September. The session called Climate Action Summit was chaired by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Unfortunately the economic political system that prevails globally does not allow people and countries to lead simple lives that are non-polluting. We must try to change this paradigm to live in peace and harmony with other peoples, other countries and with our ecosystem.
→ read full articleSports and Games for Promoting Peace and Harmony
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 Sep 2019
Football, hockey, cricket, volleyball, baseball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, swimming, cycling and many other sports are popular all over the world. Most people play some form of games or sports. Of course these vary from place to place and often depend on the weather. Traditional games are also still being played by several tribal communities.
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Tall and Short — Similar Issues, Similar Challenges
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
23 Sep 2019
Recently I saw a photo in an Indian newspaper of a man who is supposed to be 8 feet-2 inch tall and is the tallest man in India… There is a well known dwarf family in the Indian city of Hyderabad consisting of eleven members, nine of whom are dwarfs… All people have the same Humanity and same challenges.
→ read full articleAfrica India Relations — Promoting Harmony and Goodwill
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
16 Sep 2019
Africa is a continent comprising 54 countries and has a population of about 1.3 billion people of which Nigeria on the western coast is the most populated one. Incidentally India itself has a population of the same size. Africa is a multi lingual continent and has vast diversities — social, economic, racial and historical.
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Cultural Festivals of India — Joy, Peace, Harmony
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
9 Sep 2019
There are several cultural, religious festivals and celebrations all over the world. One such festival is Christmas; although being a Christian festival, it is celebrated all over the world on 25 Dec by non- Christians also. Similarly, Jewish, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs have special days to remember and celebrate their own Gods or leaders.
→ read full articleThe Inequities of this world — in Life, in Death
Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Sep 2019
We are born, live in this unequal world and then die. There are inequities staring at us in this world — social, economic, religious, educational, racial and of other kinds, both in life and in death.
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My Infinite World
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Aug 2019
I am a small person
Small in age, Small in mind
What do I understand
Of this large complex land
Deforestation, Chipko Movements: Role of Countless Women
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
19 Aug 2019
All over the world forests are being cut or destroyed for development or for infrastructure purposes. Roads, dams, railway lines are being constructed or mining activities occurring in forest lands; making furniture or ladders or various other items are also obtained from trees.
→ read full articleMind and Mindfulness — Some Questions and Debates
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
12 Aug 2019
According to some scholars, mindfulness is a type of meditation that allows a person to focus intensely on some physical activity such as breathing, which results in de-stressing the mind and body. It also acts as a suitable medication. Many persons who have followed these guidelines for de-stressing themselves admit that they have been quite effective.
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Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi – Struggles for Justice, Independence and Peace
Dr Ravi P Bhatia - TRANSCEND Media Service,
5 Aug 2019
Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were two great icons of the twentieth century. Their births, their backgrounds, their education, however, were starkly different from each other.
→ read full articleVIPs and Ordinary Mortals
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
29 Jul 2019
The world is divided into much diversity that is based on economic, social, racial, linguistic cultural factors. This leads to divisions of people that I am terming as VIPs (very important persons) and ordinary persons.
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A Few Thoughts on Inequality
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Jul 2019
The International Day for Elimination of Racial Injustice and the forceful propagation of Sustainable Development Goals are not enough to banish or even reduce worldwide inequality and discrimination. The world needs the emergence of stalwarts like Gandhi, Mandela and other honest personalities for this uphill task.
→ read full articleFruits for All — Eating, Sharing, Curing
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
15 Jul 2019
Most countries grow different types of fruits. Cold countries such as Europe, Canada USA and colder parts of other countries grow apples of different shapes, sizes and flavors. These regions also have cherries, plums and other varieties that grow best in relatively cool climates.
→ read full articleHindi Poems: The Environment
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
8 Jul 2019
The author wrote the poems in Hindi and translated them to English.
→ read full articleRaag Malhar — Song and Rain
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
1 Jul 2019
24 Jun 201 – The Indian capital Delhi is experiencing unusually hot and dry weather. In the process, the people and animals are suffering and several people and their cattle are dying because of the torrid and dry heat. The myth in India is that when such a difficult situation arises, people start singing and beseeching the rain gods to be kind and shower the land with rain, by singing Raag Malhar.
→ read full articleGlobalisation before Globalisation
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Jun 2019
What do I mean by globalisation before the present globalisation of the world? Probably the term globalisation in earlier periods of history is incorrect and misleading. We should perhaps have a term such as interconnectedness, or intercultural or religious movements to describe the exchange of ideologies, religious, cultural or linguistic in earlier times. It was through this interchange that Buddhism spread from India to many eastern parts of the world, for example.
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The Various Shades of Cricket Matches
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
17 Jun 2019
Cricket as most people agree is a rich person’s game. The bats, balls, stumps, gloves, etc., are expensive. This aspect is evident when one sees the World Cup Cricket tournament being played in England. The tickets range from 100 pounds or more. Players make millions inside the stadiums as well as outside through advertisements. Who wins or makes the finals of the tournament is a game that bookies play with alacrity making thousands of pounds by the bets that are placed.
→ read full articleWorld Environment Day — Reacting to the Existing Terrible Situation
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
10 Jun 2019
The world is celebrating the Environment Day on June 5. There will be the usual discussions and statements regarding the crisis of pollution, problems of earth’s sustainability and some well articulated action plans that governments propose to undertake but which are weak in practice.
→ read full articleRenaming the Earth’s Geological Time Scale: An Alternative Spiritual Description of Our Earth
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
3 Jun 2019
While not contesting the scientists’ proposal to rename the present epoch as Anthropocene because of the factors that demonstrate the footprint of people in clear terms, I also wish to present an alternate description of our condition. This may be termed as Indian spiritual Advaita principle based on the Vedic philosophy. Let me explain.
→ read full articleUnusual Events, Unusual Times
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 May 2019
Every person has experienced unusual events at different times–some interesting, some puzzling and some unpleasant. These events are sketched in the person’s memory.
→ read full articleAirports –Elegance and Artistry
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
13 May 2019
7 May 2019 – Most big airports are amazing. They display the variety and diversity of human beings apart from the different size, decors and designs of the buildings of the airports themselves.
→ read full articleOf Godmen, Godwomen, and Ordinary Individuals
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
29 Apr 2019
The society being what it is–disparities between the rich elite and the impoverished poor, the new liberal economic system that promotes degradation of our planet, the political and religious conflicts that are resulting in crimes and bombings–it is difficult to act sanely and with compassion and justice towards all forms of life. But let us not feel hopeless and dejected. Let us not just adore, admire the modern forms of Godmen and Godwomen.
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Easter Sunday at St James Church in Delhi
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Apr 2019
21 Apr 2019 – Today is Easter Sunday, the most holy day of the Christian Church calendar. Being a Hindu, somehow there was an urge in me to participate in this auspicious event.
→ read full articleClapping for Happiness and Health
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
15 Apr 2019
15 Apr 2019 – Most people around the world clap to appreciate or applaud a performance of music, dance or even a powerful speech. In fact the larger the number of claps or louder the clapping, the more heartening and encouraging it is to the performer on the stage. Occasionally, the clapping may be disruptive to the performer or the orator if one claps at the wrong moment.
→ read full articleOn the Beginnings of Language
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
8 Apr 2019
8 Apr 2019 – Language is an intimate part of human beings that largely distinguishes us from animals or birds. Whereas the latter do communicate with each other mainly through sounds — grunts, squeaks and howls etc, only humans have the ability to communicate with each other through language.
→ read full articleEnvironmental Enthusiasm or Gunning Down People: Unusual Interplay of Recent Events
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 – The last Friday, 15 March saw students from about 125 countries pushing their governments, parliamentarians and community leaders to come together for the protection of the environment that has degraded to an extent that life of human beings, plants and animals is at risk. On the same date 15 March, a totally different act has been perpetrated in a far away town of Christchurch in New Zealand by a 28 year old Australian Brenton Tarrant.
→ read full articleEngaging with the Past — Numbers, Nostalgia, Perspectives
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Mar 2019
One can add to the above features and outlook of engaging with history. This is a never ending process. What is contemporary for us and generates awe and nostalgia, will become past over time to our future generations; they will look at their own past with different lens and fresh perspectives. Let this process continue and enrich us all.
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Celebrating Gandhi Anniversary Musically
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
11 Mar 2019
As many people know, the Indian government and various institutions are celebrating Gandhi’s 150th anniversary with great joy and gaiety. The celebrations are taking various forms — seminars, talks, exhibitions, plays and skits by students of various academic institutions etc. The objective of these events is to demonstrate various aspects of Gandhi in an attractive and easy to understand manner.
→ read full articleHouse of Horrors — Understanding the Factors at Play
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Mar 2019
The world abounds with violence, terrorism, militarism, wars that lead to lack of harmony, selfishness and absence of moral behaviour and an absence of feeling of sharing and results in otherness. Vasudev kutumbakam, the Vedas suggested that the whole world is a family.
→ read full articleRam Rajya — Gandhi and His Religious Outlook
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Feb 2019
25 Feb 2019 – The world is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. On this important occasion, let us remember Gandhi’s belief in the core values of Truth, Nonviolence, Satyagraha, Religious Amity, Harmony, Cleanliness and Love for Nature. He not only believed in these values but consistently acted in consonance with them.
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Learning Foreign Languages in India
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
18 Feb 2019
India has much diversity — cultural, linguistic, geographic, religious, political and even from the point of cuisine — the food eaten. Linguistically, India has 22 official languages including Hindi and English. Hindi, as well as its many dialects, has the largest number of speakers and English is being widely used in judiciary, parliament, science and technology, education, etc.
→ read full articleThoughts on Changing Times, Changing Values
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
11 Feb 2019
When a person has crossed seven decades of his life, he often feels he can be a little indiscreet and talk of situations or events in his life which he has not done so before — at least publicly. There are many regrets in one’s life and a few occasions of feeling a sense of satisfaction. In addition there is a sense of unease at the way the world has shaped politically, economically, socially.
→ read full articleVegetarianism, Veganism, Jainism — What to Eat, What Not to Eat
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Feb 2019
Vegans point out that milk is produced from cows and buffaloes that are cramped together in crowded sheds, are cruelly treated and are not allowed even to adequately feed their calves. This is being done for economic reasons to maximise profits. Vegans further justify their prohibition of dairy products by stating that the cruelty suffered by cows is transmitted to the milk they produce.
→ read full articleWomen’s Discrimination and Struggle for Equality
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 Jan 2019
21 Jan 2019 – Discrimination of women is common in all societies – rich western countries or poorer countries of Asia, Africa or Latin America. The level of discrimination of course varies – it can be subtle in the former countries and more pronounced in the latter. Even most religions discriminate against women in some areas or the other. A Church normally would have male pastors or bishops and the Sunday service is generally carried out by men.
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Small Is Beautiful – A Contemporary Perspective
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
14 Jan 2019
Ernest F. Schumacher, the German born British economist, wrote a collection of essays called Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered in 1973, arguing against the large capitalist economy that ill-treats the earth’s resources resulting in degradation of the earth and depletion of its resources. Small can be Beautiful even today if properly visualized and effectively implemented. Ernest Schumacher’s book is still relevant even after about half a century of its publication.
→ read full articlePolymaths — Then and Now
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
7 Jan 2019
A Polymath is a person who has more than one interest and expertise, which gives such a person a broader perspective of life and society. There have been many individuals in the past who could be categorised by this definition.
→ read full articleIs Seventy-Five the Beginning of Babyhood?
Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
31 Dec 2018
Victor Hugo the great French novelist of the nineteenth century had once written, “Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age.” Why is seventy-five being referred to as becoming a baby again?
→ read full articleABC of Human Nature: Angst, Boredom, Creativity
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Dec 2018
Human beings are creative unlike most animals (except a few) that survive on instinct. But what boosts creativity — the urge to do something beyond living, surviving?
→ read full articlePost Modern Democracies or the End of History
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
17 Dec 2018
The voice of the marginalised sections of people is being ignored by the modern democratic world with its neoliberal capitalist order that is concerned with profit-making and not about increasing social and economic disparities and disorder.
→ read full articleBaalak Trust — Rehabilitating Lost Children
Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
10 Dec 2018
Where do these lost children go? Many of them just roam around aimlessly, lonely, hungry not knowing what to do, where to go. Often they walk up to a railway station or a bus stand where there are large crowds of people and where the lost child will not be pushed away or asked to leave. And where do such children land? In a small factory, or a restaurant to work as child labour, or forced to beg on the streets, or pushed into a brothel if the child is female.
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Peace Pagoda: Seeking Bliss and Joy
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
3 Dec 2018
Buddhists or not, we approach Lord Buddha for seeking peace, joy and harmony in this violent world. A Buddhist pagoda built with Japanese aid in Darjeeling in the north eastern part of India does not disappoint; it fortifies our faith and fulfils our hopes.
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Mahatma Gandhi and His Interest in the Stars
Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
26 Nov 2018
Gandhi managed to see some of the phenomena of the sky with simple telescopes that people shared with him. This reinforced his love for stargazing and his belief that the sky and its numerous entities were a manifestation of God’s creation. Of course, scientists and astronomers do not agree with this belief; but the joy, the beauty the peace that a night sky bestows is shared by millions of people including the scientists.
→ read full articleMultilingualism Today—Educational, Cultural, Historical Facets
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
19 Nov 2018
Languages are not just a means of expression – written or oral but also have their distinctive features such as cultures, cuisines and histories. Languages had earlier evolved due to several factors – colonialization by powerful countries, interaction with other language and religious groups, trade and economic relations, and today due to the large scale globalization and the impact of internet and digitization that is taking place.
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Victory of Light over Darkness: The Indian Festival of Diwali
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
12 Nov 2018
Diwali or Dipavali (Sanskrit for a row of lamps) is one of the most popular festivals in the Indian month of Kartik — in the solar calendar, between October and mid November on new moon night. The festival signifies victory of Light over Darkness as well as good over evil. The world needs such occasions in this violence-prone troubled contemporary times.
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Light and Luminosity: The Moon and the Sun in Our Lives
Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
5 Nov 2018
During the night, we have moonlight— not as bright as the Sun but soothing and refreshing to us human beings. On a full moon day, the Moon shines brightly and gives us a sense of peace and tranquility. Again on Amavasya (New Moon, when it is visible only in a semi-circumference shape), we feel somewhat forlorn and our sages and religious persons have asked us to be vigilant and sober on that day.
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Joys of Living and Learning in Massachusetts, USA
Dr. Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
29 Oct 2018
Many pilgrims from England seeking religious freedom had come to settle in 1620 in the Bay area near the modern city of Boston adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. It was then called Bay State or sometimes as Pilgrim State. Subsequently, it acquired the modern name after the indigenous tribe named MASSACHUSETT that used to live in this region.
→ read full articleSt Stephen’s College — A Distinguished Academic Institution of Delhi University with a Glorious Past
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
22 Oct 2018
Like some other prestigious academic institutions of the World — Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, Princeton, Sorbonne and others, St Stephen’s College in India enjoys a well-deserved reputation. Nobel Literature laureate Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi are associated with the College as are the former President of India, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, and the former President of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.
→ read full articleBuddhist Dhammapada — Seeking Happiness, Nirvana, Enlightenment
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
15 Oct 2018
A collection of verses dealing with various human aspects are contained in a Buddhist collection called Dhammapada. These verses written in Pali language, were compiled about 2,600 years ago, are part of the Buddhist scripture Tipitaka, which literally means three baskets.
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Mahatma Gandhi — An Icon of Truth, Amity, Nonviolence and Cleanliness
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
8 Oct 2018
The Indian government is active in construction of toilets and encouraging the private corporate sector towards this objective. Several NGOs are also helping in the mammoth task of construction and maintenance of millions of toilets in homes, public places, in schools, etc.
→ read full articlePromising News on Environment Front — From Europe and Elsewhere
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
1 Oct 2018
It is now encouraging to read the various efforts made by the several countries to maintain a clean and green environment. Perhaps Germany is at the forefront. The country has installed solar panels for producing clean energy on many official buildings as well as in individual homes. They have also decided to stop nuclear energy production because of risks involved.
→ read full articleSinging National Anthems–Or Protesting against Them
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
24 Sep 2018
Most countries have national anthems or songs that are sung on official functions of the country — Independence Day, Republic Day, at international sports events, etc.
→ read full articlePromoting Unity and Harmony in Diversity
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
17 Sep 2018
The world is full of diversities of various types — religious, linguistic, economic, political, geographic, anthropological. There are several religions that people have faith in, hundreds of languages that are spoken, existence of rich and poor countries and people, different types of political systems ranging from democracies to dictatorships, etc.
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Films from India: Music, Dance, Entertainment, Nostalgia
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
3 Sep 2018
The Indian film industry is perhaps the most popular in the world with its revenues today exceeding those of Hollywood. It makes movies in several Indian languages— Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu apart from Hindi.
→ read full articleGiving Birth to Happiness
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
27 Aug 2018
As indicated, relatively poor countries of the world are giving birth to many children and it is estimated that on an average a woman gives birth to four or even five children.
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Beautiful, Peace Loving Elephants and the Challenges They Face
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Aug 2018
As the environment gets polluted and jungles get destroyed due to economic and development reasons, these huge animals are losing their sanctuaries and habitats. Should we not put a stop to this challenge being faced by these noble and beautiful creatures?
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TMS in India?
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Aug 2018
How is it possible that TMS is in New Delhi? Have Prof. Johan Galtung and Editor Antonio C S Rosa decided to move from Alicante and Porto, respectively, to Delhi?
→ read full articleSolygamy — Marrying Oneself
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
13 Aug 2018
One has heard of polygamy–a man marrying more than one wife. In the Indian epic Mahabharata a woman named Dropadi has more than one husband. But I read about solygamy in a report about a woman named Linda marrying herself in Australia in front of her three friends. She had had an unhappy marriage and decided to wed herself by reciting a few marriage vows.
→ read full articleHarmony in Medical Systems
Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
6 Aug 2018
Among the medical systems prevalent today, the western Allopathy is the most widespread. Other systems are Ayurveda and Homeopathy, which are in use especially in Asia… Ayurveda and Allopathy are examples of the sharing and harmony between two systems of medicine and surgery.
→ read full articleThe Harmony of Languages and Scripts
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
23 Jul 2018
The world is divided into blocs and groupings — the UNO, EU, NATO, SAARC, the Communist bloc, the Mid-East Muslim bloc, trade blocs and others such as the Nuclear group of nations. Each has their specific agendas, their special economies, cultures, strengths, liabilities, etc. But religious leanings and languages also play a dominant role in interaction within the groupings.
→ read full articleOld Is Gold
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
9 Jul 2018
Today this expression would not be accepted by most people around the world for the simple reason that old may be associated with old age which becomes weak and degraded as the years pass… Let us redefine our concepts of old age and old people. Let us remember some of them for their ingenuity and the joy and harmony that resulted from their works and lives.
→ read full articleSharing for Peace Making
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
2 Jul 2018
Recently an Under Secretary of UN Peace Keeping Force came to New Delhi and gave a brief and sincere talk on the challenges faced by Peace Keepers in many countries of Africa and Asia. One message that he conveyed was that there was always conflict between various parties and how they try to resolve it by sharing.
→ read full articleThe Multidimensional USA
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
25 Jun 2018
The history of USA begins from the rebellion against the British in 1775 which culminated in the declaration of full independence of 13 states on July 4, 1776.
→ read full articleChina’s Spiritual and Political Relationship with India
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
20 Jun 2018
China and India have had a long and enduring relationship for centuries. The interaction between the two was both economic and spiritual in nature through the spirit of Buddhism. More recently the relationship has taken a political and military colour especially after the 1962 attack by China on India and the relationship has become sour due to military, economic and political factors.
→ read full articleGadgets and Robotics
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
11 Jun 2018
Not talking about its potential, the smart phone or Mobile has become an inseparable part of most of us. Whether used for speaking to one another or sending messages or pictures on WhatsApp or for even seeking Google Guru’s help, the instrument has become unique and indispensable. Is there a flip side to the omnipresence of this gadget?
→ read full articleAluminium— the Villain of Environmental Degradation
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
4 Jun 2018
Aluminum is causing not only environmental degradation but also leading to unspeakable misery among the indigenous peoples of India and of other countries. How is this so? Bauxite mining for the extraction of Aluminium metal has one of the most serious impacts both for the people it displaces and the degradation of the soil.
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Max Müller and the Indian Connection
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
28 May 2018
Although Max Müller was a German, he spent a considerable period of his life in England, taught at Oxford University, and was admired for his knowledge of classical Indian texts including the Upanishads and Vedas. He had access to several scholarly Sanskrit words that the East India Company had brought from India.
→ read full articleIn Love with Mountains
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
21 May 2018
Mountains are not only beautiful and are a source of joy; they invite mountaineers to climb to the summits despite the obvious perils and difficulties involved. Mt. Everest being the highest in the world followed by K2 and Kanchenjunga has attracted hundreds of brave persons to climb to their summits.
→ read full articleElectrifying Development
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
14 May 2018
14 May 2018 – It is hard to believe that there are still some regions in the world that are without electric power. But there are actually several regions without it. According to a recent report of the Washington Post, there are several countries in Africa and Asia which have either no electricity or suffer from electricity hunger.
→ read full articleLeading Healthy, Spiritual, Meaningful Lives
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
7 May 2018
7 May 2018 – Large number of people around the world are leading stressful, tension prone lives. This is due to several factors – economic, ageing and health related, racial and caste issues, violence and terrorist activities to name few principal ones. A resultant factor is poverty, loneliness and social isolation.
→ read full articleOn Busy Streets – Unusual Events and Chance Encounters
Dr Ravi P Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service,
30 Apr 2018
“I believe that I am guided by chance encounters. I believe in the miracle of chance encounters.”
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