Devadiya Jee

Life is a journey we often live on autopilot, constantly moving from one worry to the next. We rarely pause to reflect, to ask ourselves: "Is this really living?" This is a reflection on the cycle many of us unknowingly become trapped in. Childhood When we were young, we worried about studies. We were told: “Work hard now, so your future is secure.” For example, a 10-year-old struggles with school exams while his friends play outside. He hears adults say, "You must come first in class." Slowly, the joy of learning fades, replaced by the pressure to perform. Adulthood When we grew up, we worried about jobs and livelihood. After graduation, a young woman applies for hundreds of jobs. Rejections pile up. Even after landing a job, she feels constant stress with deadlines, appraisals, and bills. She wonders if this is what she studied so hard for. Marriage and Family When we secured a livelihood, we worried about marriage. A man in his late twenties earns wel...

As India prepares to commemorate the 500th birth anniversary (1525 to 2025) of a legendary warrior queen, it’s time we shine a light on a name too often missing from the pages of popular history: Rani Abbakka Chowta. She wasn’t just a ruler of Ullal, a small coastal town in South India. She was India’s first female freedom fighter, a fearless Jain queen who repeatedly repelled Portuguese invaders in the 16th century and upheld the sovereignty of her kingdom. Rani Abbakka hailed from the Chowta dynasty of Karnataka, a royal family that followed Jainism and embraced a matrilineal system where succession passed through the female line. When the time came, Abbakka was entrusted with power not as a token, but as a true sovereign. What set her reign apart wasn’t just her lineage, but the Jain principles that guided her governance: ahimsa (nonviolence), aparigraha (nonpossessiveness), satya (truthfulness), and sahishnuta (tolerance). But when these values were challenged by foreign aggression...

Superstitions have been deeply rooted in cultures across the world and India is no exception. From hanging lemons and chilies at the door to fearing a sneeze before leaving the house, many of us have grown up around these beliefs. But how often do we stop and question them? Here are 9 common superstitions explained logically with examples so we can move toward a more rational and scientific way of thinking. Always Remember This.  1. Lemons and Chilies Are Meant to Be Eaten Not Hung at the Door. Have you ever seen lemons and green chilies hanging from shop entrances or vehicles to ward off evil? Reality check: Lemons and chilies are food items rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Their purpose is nutrition, not protection from imaginary forces. Example: If these items truly absorbed negative energy, wouldn’t they need to be disposed of safely like hazardous waste?  2. A Cat Crossing Your Path Isn’t Bad Luck It’s Just a Cat. Many people stop or turn back when a cat crosses their ...