Stories from the grassroots | Thoughts on development | Lessons on leadership
12 January is celebrated as the National Youth Day in India on the birth anniversary of the youth icon, Swami Vivekananda. While his life and message continues to inspire millions of young people around the world, one needs to appreciate how he was not just a Hindu monk. … Continue reading
Some time ago, Nitesh Batra the founder of the Mindful Initiative reached out to me through a common friend asking if he could interview me for a podcast that he runs. Having been interviewed several times in the past for newspapers and television, I was expecting this also to be similar to the ones that I had participated in.… Continue reading
Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts and ideas on education have been studied, often quoted and has inspired several Institutions to start schools and colleges. From the conceptual understanding of what education needs to be, to making it both pragmatic at the individual and community level, Swami Vivekananda’s ideas are both relevant and necessary.… Continue reading
Swami Vivekananda’s life and message continues to inspire millions of people around the world. Describing him and his work is like trying to describe God…One can do it in so many ways depending on one’s beliefs, experiences and perspectives. Instead of spending time on trying to unpack him and his message intellectually, it is more rewarding to try and live it on a daily basis.… Continue reading
Over time, I have given several interviews and have spoken at several forums. Each one has been different and taught me several lessons. They have also given me the time and space to reflect on the questions that had been asked and my own life too.… Continue reading
I found meaning to my life when i first discovered Swami Vivekananda and his message of self discovery as a young, impressionable 17 year old. From then on, till today his life and message has been my guiding compass.… Continue reading
Leadership has been defined in many ways and is possibly one of the most researched subjects in the world today. Though so much has been said and written, one finds it difficult to have a final word on the subject of leadership. … Continue reading
One question that people keep asking me is what prompted me to start the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement when I was just 19 years of age.… Continue reading
This article appeared in my regular column on leadership in the Star of Mysore, dated 1 July 2019
It was January 1985. I was sitting with Swami Achalanandaji, a monk who was then living at the Ramakrishna Institute of Moral & Spiritual Education in Mysuru and discussing the qualities of an ideal student and that of an ideal Teacher (Guru).… Continue reading
A few years ago, Vish a friend who had lived for a long period in the US and had come back to resettle in Mysuru and I were talking about Swami Vivekananda and how his message had inspired me. Our talk drifted to how Swamiji was a tireless worker and how so much was done by him in such a short time.… Continue reading
Many a friend has asked me about my regular visits to the US and about the teaching I do here. One oft repeated question has been, ‘What are the major similarities & differences that you see between the two countries? ‘ And knowing my background, another question usually asked is about my continued commitment to the causes I espouse back home in India and how it relates to my visiting the US?… Continue reading
A friend sent me the link of this radio interview that I had given many years ago to Ms Indu Ramesh, a senior radio journalist, friend and well wisher.
Radio Interview given to Ms Indu Ramesh
-Balu… Continue reading
“There were many good things in the ancient times, but there were bad things too. The good things are to be retained, but the India that is to be, the future India, must be much greater than ancient India.” – Swami Vivekananda
India is now going through a momentous phase of transition.… Continue reading
January 12th is a very special day for all of us. Apart from being the day when our icon at SVYM and the very reason for our existence was born in 1863, it is also the day when we Indians celebrate as the National Youth Day. … Continue reading