Heidegger’s Being and Time unveils a quiet tragedy of modern life — our surrender of authentic existence to what he calls “the They.” In our average, everyday way of living, we speak, think, and act as others do, letting social norms and public opinion define who we are. This conformity numbs our individuality and hides the deeper question of Being itself. The comfort of belonging replaces the courage to be. To live authentically, Heidegger urges, one must awaken from this anonymous existence and face one’s own finite self — not as “they” live, but as I truly am.
Tag: history
We Create History
“The hatred and love within us spills over and shows up sooner or later in history textbooks.”
On Watching The Bengal Files: A “Complex Truth”
Watching Bengal Files reminded me of an old debate topic: “Truth is Complex.” The film doesn’t just depict communal carnage; it forces us to confront the deeper, persistent reality of violence. From history’s atrocities to the everyday sharp word or dismissive gesture, violence is not an exception—it is the undercurrent of human life. As Krishnamurti said, even separating ourselves by religion or nationality is a subtle form of violence. The movie, in its raw way, pushes us to ask: can truth ever be simple?
India’s past deserves more than apologia or amnesia
The discourse on Indian history, shaped by Marxist and secular-liberal perspectives, often neglects its civilisational essence, presenting a fragmented narrative. Early thinkers argued for India’s spiritual unity, highlighting shared practices and symbols over political divisions. Modern historians prioritize economic and social factors, missing the broader ethical and cultural dimensions that define Indian civilization.
My Brush with Two Nobel Prize Winners in Economics
When I was a PhD student in Economics at Johns Hopkins University in the early 1990s, I was lucky enough … More
What’s in a Surname? A Lot!?
by D. Samarender Reddy Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, … More
