Deepak Rana

You are a Houseplant

You are a houseplant. This should be the starting point of every spiritual conversation, or the first thing one learns in life. Everything else comes after this. Yes, you are a houseplant. You grow out of a seed, then blossom into youth by feeding on the mother earth, and eventually get dissolved in the sameContinue reading “You are a Houseplant”

The Man with an Eating Disorder

(Art: The Poor Poet by Carl Spitzweg, 1837) How would you feel if I told you about a man who has got a dangerous eating disorder? This fellow, while still in bed in the morning, starts eating whatever he finds around his bed. This goes on throughout the day and right to the point whenContinue reading “The Man with an Eating Disorder”

The Pagans of India

To understand India, the first thing that you need to know is that it is neither secular nor a Hindu nation. India is a place which pagans (both believers and non-believers) can call home. It’s the last bastion of paganism. This is the reason why it has resisted and will continue to resist Christianity andContinue reading “The Pagans of India”

Why Do Most People Hate Liberals?

Why do most people hate Liberals? If you belong to this tribe, that’s not even a question. That is just wrong, you would say. We will come to that. Let me start with British journalist David Goodhart’s proposition: Anywheres Vs Somewheres. Anywheres are well educated, mobile and tend to view the world as a globalContinue reading “Why Do Most People Hate Liberals?”

Photo Essay: Tibetans in Dharamshala (India)

The late 1950s saw the beginning of the Tibetan resistance movement and uprisings against China. But the enemy was too big, and therefore, the possibility of success almost zero. As a result, thousands of Tibetans were killed. The Dalai Lama and some members of the Tibetan government subsequently fled to India, followed within a yearContinue reading “Photo Essay: Tibetans in Dharamshala (India)”

The Myth of Secularism

Secularism is generally defined as the separation of state from church (or any other religious institution). In other words, the state will either stay neutral or favour/condemn all religions equally. As we shall see, this ideal is an impossible one to achieve. Let me explain with the help of an example. Consider a society whichContinue reading “The Myth of Secularism”

Is India a Thali, Dairy, or Khichdi?

There are as many ideas of India as there are Indians out there — and they are in plenty. But, as the legend has it, through constant churning of a vast ocean of ideas, we get two key perspectives which often stand against each other. The same happens when we discuss the idea of India.Continue reading “Is India a Thali, Dairy, or Khichdi?”

Photo Essay: Dharamshala (India)

Dharamshala is a picturesque, multicultural town sitting in the lap of Dhauladhar mountains. The place has its unique charm which could only be described visually and so I took this opportunity to take you on a ride. As soon as you enter the town, you encounter a stream of vehicles honking at you, crowds gossipingContinue reading “Photo Essay: Dharamshala (India)”

On Having No Home

Last evening, when I was about to step inside my house, I was greeted by a snake at the door. A long, dark one, slithering along the floor. That sight scared me. So I hushed myself and rushed straight into my room. And as soon as I had locked myself in, a strange thought occurredContinue reading “On Having No Home”