From Electrical Engineering to Enlightenment

As a child, I had always wanted to be an electrical engineer. I loved the discipline and all the thrills that came with it. The first electrical device that I made out of scarp materials was a simple electric doorbell for my home. The first ring on it was so sweet and divine! I wrote 'PRESS' beneath the pushbutton so that no visitor can miss it!

The next project was a crystal radio set. It was assembled out of assorted materials including my mom’s favorite rolling pin that served as the core cylinder for the radio frequency tuner. My father got me a pair of headphones salvaged from an army depot. When I first heard the broadcast from the local Pune radio station, I jumped with joy. I felt proud to have achieved something great - like having won the nobel prize!

Eventually, my childhood dream took shape into reality. I graduated in electrical engineering from the then famous century-old College of Engineering in Pune. I was blessed to learn from the best of Gurus. Who can ever forget the teaching of Prof. Virkar who was the head of electrical engineering department? 

My passion pursued into working for one of the largest electrical companies in India. Over the years, I was pushed up in the managerial ladder and one day I found myself completely out of electrical engineering. But then, my heart yearned for something that could sustain my curiosity into the unknown power – like electricity that you don’t see but it does wonders!

When I took a walk this morning, I heard the noise of geese from the sky. It was a flock of geese flying in beautiful symmetry like you see the air planes flying in formation at air shows. How wonderful is this creation!

I believe in the existence of a great unseen creator, and I think He is very intelligent.  The complexity and beauty of His creations are just amazing. I like to probe into the unknown and share the excitement with other interested humans. In the process, I too have a great opportunity to get enlightened.

So, in recent years, I have taken to the study of some of the most ancient scriptures handed down to us by our ancestors through centuries.

I enjoy my work – it is as glamorous and exciting as the study of electrical engineering! I hope it lights up some lives around the world.

The Miracle of Manjakudi

Swami Dayanand Saraswathi

Ever heard of Manjakudi? Well, it is a small village located on the banks of the river Cauveri in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu near the city of Kumbakonam in South India. Thanks to my dear friend Dr. Sureshwara, my wife and I had an opportunity to visit this village - the birthplace of the well-known Indian monk Sri Dayanand Saraswathi. Our visit was facilitated by Sri Rajagopal, a disciple of Dayanand Saraswathi, a senior manager of Wipro, and a wonderful human being! It was very nice of him to conduct us through the facilities in Manjakudi village. 

Manjakudi is one of the few villages in India where excellent educational facilities are now made available from kindergarten to graduate programs. Built and administered by Swami Dayananda Education Trust (SDET), Manjakudi has spacious primary and high schools, a college that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in arts and sciences, a Veda Paatashaala where all the four Vedas are taught in Gurukulam style, a large auditorium, vast playgrounds and a library.  

Wipro's BPO at Manjakudi

A Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center of Wipro Technologies is functioning from an independent air-conditioned building. Launched in 2011, Wipro's Manjakudi Development Centre is a successful result of its tie up with SDET.  

Other notable facilities in Manjakudi include a Goshaala (cow shed)  with local and cross-breed cows that yield about 100 litres of organic milk every day, a vermi-composting project that converts organic waste into compost, and a large herbal garden growing medicinal plants.

Higher Educational Facilities

SDET not only provides quality education but also creates employment opportunities to the rural folks in Manjakudi itself to minimize their migration to cities. This way, the rural economy seems to have improved significantly with a large floating population streaming in everyday from neighbouring cities. Some of the city folks have migrated to this village – like the security guard I met who had moved from Bangalore after living there for over 20 years. 

Manjakudi is indeed a miracle! It is a clear demonstration of transforming a sleepy village into a busy hub of educational and economic activities. Swami Dayananda Saraswathi’s dream is now a reality. Manjakudi is indeed a superb model worth replicating in some of India’s other villages. 

We left Manjakudi with our hearts filled with abundant joy and our bellies with sumptuous South Indian vegetarian meals served on banana leaf!