Dr H N BAJAJ - A POLYMATH

Ganesha lives in the hearts of millions in India and the Indian diaspora. The god with the head of an elephant, a large pot belly, and four arms that hold a variety of accouterments is regarded as the remover of obstacles; his blessings are petitioned for an auspicious start to any new task. Ganpati is seen in paintings and in sculptures, seated, standing, or dancing. In general, he is shown as having four arms, holding his characteristic attributes -- a modak or a laddu, a broken tusk, an ax or a goad, and a noose. Symbolically, His elephant head signifies wisdom; the ears hear everything. His round belly is the cosmos, and the snake wrapped around it is the force that holds it all together. The mouse represents the wandering mind; we need knowledge and wisdom to prevent our minds and thoughts from straying.  The ax is the detachment that cuts us loose from worldly enticements, and the rope pulls us to higher goals. The palm in the abhaya mudra position blesses us as we embark on ...

  Political freedom and economic freedom are inexorably linked. In July 1905, Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy, announced the Partition of Bengal, a move that was widely resented. It led to a wave of political and economic protest known as the Swadeshi Movement. While no single individual began it, the support came from the trio of "Lal Bal and Pal" - Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. Aurobindo Ghosh too prominently supported it. The Movement exhorted Indians to boycott imported British goods in favor of those made in India. Cut to May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Modi ji launched the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, with the slogan of "Vocal for Local." The aim was to promote and buy locally made goods to strengthen Indian industry. The move is in parallel with similar global trends: American "Buy American Policy," China's "Dual Circulation Strategy," EU's "Strategic autonomy in energy, defence and semi-...