--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On
14th July 1985, I met with a life-threatening road accident, which left me bed-ridden
for over six months with multiple fractures.
Lying in bed with my feet in plaster, wondering whether I will ever be able
to walk again, I would often become despondent. One day, a friend dropped
in with an English translation of Bhagavad Gita, which incidentally, was written
by a paraplegic. While I was not a deeply religious person, a reading of that
copy of the Gita, gave me the impetus to pen my thoughts, which now come to
you in a book form.
This book, an attempt to unravel the mysteries of life and overcome my moods
of despair, could not have been written, but for the support and encouragement
which I received from my parents – especially my aged father, who never
let any situation overcome him.
Three years later, on 26th June 1988, I met a man, who helped me progress
faster, on my journey of self-enquiry.
"
I Consider that self-interest is the basis of all human actions. I have no hesitation
in attributing my birth to the self-interest of my parents. The past, present
and future of my life can be attributed in varying measures to the self-interests
of either my parents or myself."Foreword
All of us have views on subjects that are of immediate concern. It is only the
thinker who will step away from the mundane happenstance of existence to introspect
on subjects outside the focal area of immediacy.
such introspection - on subjects as varied as Time, God, Death, Belief, the
Soul and Identity - often invites attention only because it is uncommon.
But it isn't just the fact of introspection that sets my friend, S. Chandra
Kumar's offering apart. It is the way he thinks. Sometimes idealistic, sometimes
cynical, but always brutally honest, he casts the mind's eye on subjects that
ought to concern all of us.
You may agree with him, or disagree. But you will be provoked into articulating
your own thoughts on the subjects he has picked up. In doing so, you will discover
yourself and for that alone, you will thank him.
As a senior airline executive, Chandra Kumar is ever the pragmatist. Here, I
was delighted to see another, and equally endearing, facet of his personality.
His thoughts deserve to be read, and I am sure you will enjoy the experience
as much as I did.
Ravindra Kumar
Editor & Managing Director
The Statesman, Kolkata
