MY FAVOURITE BOOK IN 2025

 MY FAVOURITE BOOK IN 2025

    The end of 2025 is near and 2026 looms large. At work, there is an annual shutdown from 25-Dec-2025 to 31-Dec-2025. It has helped me relax and think about the books I read this year. I have a long commute to work. During the commute, I usually visit X/ Twitter or I read e-books. In 2025, I read a few books like Kafka's "The Trial" and Homer's "Odyssey" (well before the trailer of the movie by Christoper Nolan was launched!).

    I have a habit of writing quotes on my whiteboard and sharing them on X/ Twitter, LinkedIn and mobile applications like WhatsApp every Monday. If there is a birthday of a famous person in a particular week, I write quotes by them, though this is not a rule. While searching for a quote, I like to read the original source of the quote to understand the context behind the quote. In the week of Teacher's Day (05-Sep) in India, which commemorates the birth anniversary of India's former President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, I had this quote on my whiteboard by him: "When people speak of a conflict between science and religion, they do not appreciate the spiritual character of science and the rational character of religion.", seen on X/ Twitter at: https://x.com/kiran_the_lz_1/status/1962408597549387823?s=20.

    The source of the quote itself is at https://indianculture.gov.in/archives/president-radhakrishnans-speeches-and-writing-may-1962-64. Over the next couple of months, I read this book completely - and I believe that this book is the best that I have read in 2025! What makes this book so special to me? Books provide insights into their authors. Dr. Radhakrishnan is regarded as a statesman and philosopher. A detailed biography of Dr. Radhakrishnan is available at https://iep.utm.edu/radhakri/, explaining his philosophy. The book I read is titled "President Radhakrishnan's Speeches and Writing (May 1962-64)". It shows his knowledge and his ability to rise beyond mundane thoughts. It is this which has impressed me. As I read the book, I realised what a broad vision he had, not just for India but for the whole world. It contains speeches he made as President and letters he wrote, for example, to ambassadors and envoys. In the e-book app, I highlighted quotes that amazed me for their liberal views and the wisdom in them.

    This blog post contains quotes from this book and my thoughts on them. Text in upper case is my way of highlighting points that made me go "Wow, what a though provoking idea"! If any of you want to read the book, please contact me.

    Take the quote I put on my whiteboard because I like the idea that science and religion are not opposites. The paragraph from which the quote is taken is:

All knowledge is indivisible. Science and technology, literature and art, philosophy and religion are varied manifestations of the spirit of man. They do not contradict one another but complement one another. The spirit in man sits in judgment on nature, discovers its secrets and increases our knowledge of nature. In art and literature the same spirit deals with the moods and passions, the intense experience of the human individual, especially his inner being. The same spirit probes into the mystery of the world, tries to understand a little of it. Science and technology are a dialogue of the human spirit with nature. Literature and art are a dialogue of the spirit with oneself. Philosophy and religion are a dialogue of the spirit with the supreme mystery which underlies the universe. WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION, THEY DO NOT APPRECIATE THE SPIRITUAL CHARACTER OF SCIENCE AND THE RATIONAL CHARACTER OF RELIGION. When properly understood, science and religion help each other.

    How many ideas Dr. Radhakrishnan has expressed in this beautiful paragraph ! Art is about humanity's experience with nature, expressing emotions. Science is humanity trying to understand and codify nature. Philosophy is humanity's attempt to understand the causes behind everything. Art, science and philosophy complement each other. When I read this paragraph, I was stunned by the clarity in which Dr. Radhakrishnan expresses himself. The chapter begins by introducing Ralph Borsodi, an American educator that Dr. Radhakrishnan respected and links his ideas with ideas from the Upanishad. It was after I read this page that I decided to read the whole book - and I am glad I did that.

    There is a similar idea expressed in another part of the book. Here, the quote is: 

Literature is essentially man’s dialogue with himself. Science is man’s dialogue with nature and religion is man’s dialogue with the Supreme.

    Again, I admire the simple way in which the ideas are expressed.

    Here is a quote and the passage of text that it is taken from:

Copernicus was a Pole, Galileo was an Italian, Kepler was a German, Newton was an Englishman—all of them contributed to the development of science. Today in the twentieth century, our modern science owes a great deal to the contributions made by persons of different nationalities. It has become one international world : economically we are becoming interdependent; In several cultural matters we are also interdependent; scientifically, too, we are interdependent. With regard to human rights, we want to bring about the achievement of human rights for all people and freedom from disabilities—political, social and economic—from which many of us happen to suffer.
The world is meant to be a partnership. It is meant to be a friendly universe. WE ARE BORN TO LOVE, NOT TO HATE. We are born to help one another, not to destroy one another. But by propaganda and indoctrination we begin to think that we are superiors and that others are not our equals. That kind of thing is due not to the natural impulses of the human being. The human being naturally loves another.

    What we see above is Dr. Radhakrishnan's assessment of the interdependence of countries. If this was true in the '60s, in 2025 it is even more applicable ! The need for nations to work together for the good of humanity is suggested here.

 

    One example of Dr. Radhakrishnan's knowledge of history and his sense of fairness is seen in this passage:

I put before them the example of the great John Hus who was one of the early rectors of that university. In him, I said, you have the true symbol of the university spirit. Fagots were piled up to his neck and the magistrate was there saying : If you withdraw your statements, you’ll be let off, otherwise I’ll light the fires. His answer was : “Light the fagots.” And the last word which he uttered was one which crosses frontiers of race and nation. He stood for universal humanity when he said “I prefer a good German to a bad Czech.” IT IS NOT A NATION THAT COUNTS FOR ME, WHAT COUNTS FOR ME IS WHETHER A MAN IS GOOD OR BAD; THAT IS THE ONLY CRITERION WHICH I RECOGNIZE. I DO NOT THINK THAT EVERYONE OUTSIDE MY NATIONALITY, WHOM I REGARD AS ALIEN, IS WICKED OR BAD, NOR DO I THINK THAT ALL MEN WHO BELONG TO MY NATIONALITY ARE GOOD. I don’t adopt such ideas. If you wish to have a symbol of the true university spirit, the spirit which in the Western World has been put forth by Socrates, which was exemplified by many others in later years, it is this spirit of intellectual sincerity and universal love.

    The words in upper case demonstrate Dr. Radhakrishnan's moral compass and ability to look beyond biases and prejudices. The message is that a skeptical, questioning attitude is recommended, even when it comes to national actions and decisions. Today, we see a strong tendency to label "outsiders" as evil or "bad", across the world and claim perfection for "ourselves". Yet, here is Dr. Radhakrishnan asserting that he thinks that not all Indians are good ! How mature his thoughts are !

    Here is another point. Dr. Radhakrishnan speaks about John Hus (or Jan Hus), the Czech priest but I did not know about him at all. As https://johnhus.org/content/who-was-jan-hus/ informs, Hus stood by his beliefs until the time he died. What is interesting to me is that Dr. Radhakrishnan refers to Hus during his visit to a university in Prague. It implies that he knew about Hus and his life. It gives me a glimpse into Dr. Radhakrishnan's knowledge about all religions and spirituality.

 

    I am currently watching a science fiction TV series set in the future, Star Trek: Discovery where a multi planetary organisation called the Federation of Planets is in crisis. It resembles the United Nations. Curiously, I see a parallel in the book! The need for all countries to work together is expressed by Dr. Radhakrishnan in the chapter "The Inner Conflict", where it is stated:

We have to settle down to a situation where we think that we are all the children of the Supreme, that every nation has a particular contribution to make to this richness of this world, the variety and the wealth of the human society. It is that kind of society that we have to work for.

 

    In Indian philosophy, there are six philosophical systems or "darshanas", as explained in brief at https://library.acropolis.org/the-darshanas-six-schools-of-indian-philosophy/. The term "darshana" is usually used in the context of viewing: so Arjuna, the warrior attains a "darshana" or viewing of the Vishwaroopa (the universal form) of the god Vishnu as narrated in the Divine Song or Bhagavad Geeta. Similarly, after a pilgrimage, pilgrims speak of the good "darshana" at the temple/s, their experience of the worship of the gods there. One would expect that Dr. Radhakrishnan would be aware of this. What astounds me is that in an address to the Greek President, he draws a parallel to "darshana" in Greek tradition also ! In the chapter, "The Spirit of Man", he states:

It is Plato who told us that religion consisted of the vision of the good and that it could be transmitted by the impact of personality and not by the handing out of information. He looked upon the doctrines of religion as likely tales but on that account not less legendary. Those who adopt this view develop an attitude of tolerance and understanding towards the different doctrinal systems. When Plato emphasized that the vision of the good is the essence of religion, he made out that this was possible only with the transformation of one’s nature and not merely by the repetition of dogmas or the observance of ceremonies. We must behold the truth and we become what we behold.

    It is interesting that Swami Vivekananda has discussed a similar idea, stating that there are different ways of worshipping/ realising God and that depending on one's nature, one can take a specific path. This is another example of Dr. Radhakrishnan's breadth of knowledge.

 

    For students, his message in Manchester University, in the chapter "Citizens of the World" ring true today also. He states:

Nationalism does not mean hatred of other nations; it means that you have the capacity to make your own contribution to the richness of the world. It is that idea you must harbour in your minds. You must have your nation and feel proud that you belong to it. That does not mean that you should hate other nations or not have common bonds binding you with other nations.

    It is a wonderful idea that merges the idea of nationalism and inclusion and diversity.

 

    Interestingly, Dr. Radhakrishnan has advice for Non Resident Indians too ! He says:

Anyone who goes out of this country and works in another country and makes his livelihood there must look upon that country as his true home. IT IS HIS DUTY TO WORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT COUNTRY. If you go there, earn your money, but do not have your roots there and always look to this country, you will be regarded as the British were regarded by us in this country—as people who came from outside to exploit us and make money. That should not be the attitude. THIS INDIANNESS DOES NOT CONSIST IN YOUR BEING HERE OR THERE; IT CONSISTS IN YOUR DEVELOPING CERTAIN QUALITIES. DEVELOP THEM, CONTRIBUTE THEM TO THE SERVICE OF THE COMMUNITY AMONG WHOM YOUR WORK LIES, and you will be able to make an immense contribution to the spread of true Indianness, which is universalism in essence.

 

 

    Dr. Radhakrishnan explains the symbolism of the Indian flag in more than one speech/ writing in the book. I liked reading about the "kaal chakra" or "wheel of time" in the tricolour, explained in these words:

Time is not all. There is another side to our existence and that is the eternal side. So, whereas one is given the blue colour, the cosmic colour, the sea and the sky, the other is given the pure white to point out that those who wish to describe the eternal bv concepts of words do injustice to the immensity of that mystery. They are not in a position to give an exhaustive expression of what that eternal background is. The homage which the finite mind can pay to the infinite is to say—you are indescribable, incomprehensible. So the colourless, or the pure white, is the thing which is given there. Time, therefore, is not all.

    What a beautiful explanation this is with regards to the stripe of white in the middle of the Indian flag and the wheel in its centre ! The significance of other aspects of the Indian tricolour flag are similarly explained, in simple terms. 

 

 

    Often, we read/ hear about how great we were as a civilisation. Dr. Radhakrishnan warns us not to let the glorious past blind us to the realities of the present in the chapter "Traditional Values and Modern Knowledge" while discussing about education:

The race is to the swift and the strong, not to the lazy and the idle. We have turned to be lotus-eaters, merely resting on our oars, thinking all the time of the great things which we once achieved. But we have also to see to it that in this world we have to reckon with the requirements, with the new challenges that are imposed on us. It is in the universities that you can bring about a blend between traditional values and modern knowledge. If you give up your traditional values, if the roots are cut away, the tree cannot live. YOU MUST PRESERVE THE TRADITIONAL VALUES WHICH YOU HAVE BUT ASSIMILATE THEM WITH MODERN TECHNIQUES, SCIENCE, etc.

 

    The difference between faith that can lead to fanaticism and democracy is brought out here:

Faith in the infallibility of any individual or nation is at the root of all conflicts in this world. It breeds fanaticism, sets up dictatorships, brings about fascism of the mind which has often drenched this earth with blood and tears. It is, therefore, essential for us to avoid that kind of dogmatic attitude. A democratic attitude requires appreciation that the other man may possibly be right and that we ourselves may be in the wrong, an attitude of modesty, humility, good manners and charity. These are the essential qualities of a democratic frame of mind.

     I am struck by how relevant those words are. It looks like certain aspects are true in all ages, whether it is in ancient times or in today's technologically advanced world.

 

 

    Dr. Radhakrishnan's knowledge of spirituality is seen in the section on Swami Sivananda in the chapter "The Qualities of True Religion". His words are:

Invisible arms of the Supreme sustain every individual, however wicked and unfortunate he may happen to be. No one need consider himself to be forsaken by God. Everyone is the child of the Supreme. Everyone has in him the possibilities of growing to the highest spiritual stature.

He further explores the similarity between Hinduism and Christianity in the same passage.

 

    Dr. Radhakrishnan offers this insight:

A thirtha is not sacred because someone lived there two thousand years ago. It is sacred because today there are people who embody the teachings he left there.

"Thirtha" refers to a place of pilgrimage. What an important point this is ! Merely because great leaders stayed in a particular place does not confer greatness on the place. It is up to the followers to continue and if possible, improve on the teachings. Sadly, this has rarely happened, across the world.

 

    The role of art is brought out in the following passage. The idea is that art should reflect society and at the same time, elevate the spirit.

Art, if it is to be of the highest form, should not merely entertain or appeal to our senses, not merely impart knowledge, but should transmit vitality; it should overwhelm our being, make us see differently, give us new eyes by which we can see the same things, and that is the fundamental aim of all art. It must appeal to the senses, appeal to the mind; it must appeal to the spirit of man; it must entertain, instruct or educate and elevate the spirit.

 

 

    As a student, I was not particularly fond of history, though that has changed now. I am reading and listening more on topics related to history and archaeology since the past few years. Dr. Radhakrishnan brings out the importance of humanities in this passage:

People nowadays are greatly attracted by technological education, and naturally, too. But we should also remember that technological education without the complement of humanistic studies will be imperfect, lop-sided and deficient. It is possible for us, by the control we have obtained over the forces of nature, to bring about paradise on earth. It is equally possible for us, by pressing a button, to destroy continents. If the choice is to be made wisely, we must be cultivated in the arts of civilized life. Humanistic training and technological study must be regarded as complementary to each other. They should not be regarded as divorced, or as separated from each other.

 

 

    I will conclude this blog post with a final quote from the chapter "Our Nationality is the Human Race":

When we take an artist, or a literary writer, we judge him, or her, by the masterpieces ... not by the failures which they may have passed through.

As 2025 ends and 2026 beckons, let us keep this noble thought of Dr. Radhakrishnan in our mind for the year ahead.