Lessons from the strange race between the Tortoise & the Hare
October 12, 2008 by Melody Laila
Filed under Columnists, Melody Laila
One of the fables I’ve learned from childhood and has always stuck to me is that of the Tortoise & the Hare.
All of us who’ve read it knows it’s a fable about the two animals, very different in their natural make up, racing each other. It’s a strange race to say the least. On one hand is a fast-on-his-feet Hare & the other, a slow-by-nature Tortoise. There’s seemingly no doubt who will win. However, The over-confident Hare after a excellent start, stops to nap & is thus overtaken by the Tortoise, who ends up beating him in the race.
I think sometimes our spiritual walks can be compared to the race of the Tortoise & the Hare.
“I, the Convert” by Anand Mahadevan
October 1, 2008 by Melody Laila
Filed under Specials
Even as India continues to face communal disharmony, Anand Mahadevan, the editor of Outlook Business, speaks boldly and honestly about his conversion to Christianity.
I was born a Brahmin and am the grandson of a priest whom I dearly loved. I am educated and my current professional standing indicates that I am reasonably intelligent. I am also affluent and my income would put me distinctly in the upper middle class bracket. I guess that would make me high-caste, rich and smart. In other words, I am not a tribal, or poor or dim-witted. And yet, I chose to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
The world would call me a convert to Christianity. I have no problems with that, though I see my faith more as a relationship with God through Jesus Christ than as a religion. And for the record, I can truthfully claim that no one financially induced or threatened or deceived me into converting to Christianity.
I am fiercely proud of my national identity as an Indian and I am completely at peace with my cultural identity as a Hindu. I retain the name my parents gave me. My wife, who also shares my faith, continues to go by her Hindu name. We have two children and we have given both distinctly Hindu names. In fact, many of my colleagues and acquaintances who may happen to read this column are likely to be surprised. They have no inkling about my faith, for I generally don’t go about announcing it. But if someone does ask me the reason behind the joy and hope that is everpresent in my life, I am always delighted to share it with them.
