Message
From our Chief Executive
Creating Leaders of Tomorrow
Issue 69, November 2008
Dear Friends,
Happy Diwali, a very prosperous New Year!
Glowing lamps, sparkles and boom of crackers, sweets galore and fresh beginnings!
This festive season signifies many things to many people, but the happy and dignified mingling of the material and spiritual; the goodwill manifested in gifting and social gambling: the many aesthetic nuances of a very special season of the year make this decidedly the most-looked-forward –to time and the National festival of India and of the Indian Diaspora.
The significance of Diwali centres on the renewal of life and fresh beginnings. It is the beginning of the sowing season in most regions of India, the end of the main monsoon and the closing of the business year and opening of new account books.
Lamps or “ diyas” symbolize the Victory of Good over Evil within every human being, whether they date to the time of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya; Lord Krishna’s defeat of Narakasura; or King Bali’s sojourn to the nether world to rule, by order of Lord Vishnu; or the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira.
But lamps lead us also to the light of Truth, which is associated closely with enlightenment and the awakening of the mind to the radiance of wisdom and of love.
Akin to Christmas and Hanukkah, this festival of Light evokes goodwill and understanding which finds natural expressions of appreciation, fellowship and amity between diverse and varied people. Here is an occasion to celebrate what often divides us; our differences; our unique cultures and beliefs. This is a light which never discriminates, it energizes and restores all upon whom it falls. Unless someone chooses to shelter him or herself from it, by draping a shield of indifference and apathy around themselves.
At Indus, we enjoy the breezes of many cultures flowing over the lovely campus. Which is why it is always our endeavour to engender in our students, the capacity to become sensitive interpreters of cultural variety, to enjoy what Martha Nussbaum calls ,“the larger world community of human argument and aspiration”.
What better time to renew our efforts, than this festival of Light, which blesses all who will receive it, the light which leads us out of the darkness of ignorance and limitation?Have a promising year ahead, and a joyous time this Season. Happy Diwali to you all.
With warm regards,
Lieutenant General Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM (Retd.)
Chief Executive Officer,
Indus Trust.
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