Five days from today, a letter will go under an auctioneer’s hammer. No big deal about this except that this letter was written by one of the world’s most influential scientists to one of the world’s well-known philosophers. The content: views on god. The opening bid: $3 million, though it could fetch many times that amount. Read more

Not sure whether it’s serendipity or destiny, I’m inclined towards the latter. Over the past few months, I have been thinking actively about learning Sanskrit. The reason is just one: having read almost every volume written in English, finally I want to be able to read and enjoy the Mahabharata and the Vedas in their own language, perhaps even attempt a translation of my own. It is difficult for me to call it the language of the Gods, but there is something magical in the power of its words. Read more

As the power of organising societies evolved from primitive groupings based on fear and incentives to complex networks powered by science and reason, the role of religion has for all practical purposes become irrelevant to public discourse. Read more

Even though the legal position is clearly in favour of the Muslim Personal Law — and accordingly, the Delhi high court upholding the wedding of a 15-year-old Muslim girl is in tune with the law — a sense of unease has gripped the nation. Read more

I’ve written enough about religious fundamentalism — go through this blog and you’ll see enough on both. What I’m more concerned about is the spilling out of religion on our streets, holding average people to ransom. What bothers me is how a handful of interested religious groups can wreak havoc on average people, burning or banning a book here, driving an author out of a country there, or declaring fatwas of death on thinkers, writers, painters. Read more

In the week beginning today, 106 events in as many cities will bind the world of faith, religion and spirituality together. Under the aegis of World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW), people, organisations and cultures will join hands to convert differences of faith into harmonies. Read more

My gratitude to the One
Singular and inclusive
Secular and expansive
Limitless and unfathomable
For delivering Islam Read more

For a long time, I have argued that finally this planet will see as many religions as there are people. Read more

Sitting with senior executives of the Indian arm of one of the world’s most popular, almost omnipresent, virtually omniscient and often regarded as omnipotent company, I found myself gazing at curious eyes. Read more

Last week, when my friend dropped in for dinner, I was surprised to see him not eating chicken. Read more