Thirukkural with the Times explores real-world lessons from the classic Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’. Written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Kural consists of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each. This text is divided into three books with teachings on virtue, wealth, and love and is considered one of the great works ever on ethics and morality. The Kural has influenced scholars and leaders across social, political, and philosophical spheres.
Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.
A friend and co-speaker, Raja, has often shared a deeply personal episode from his youth. He was then unknown, and without means. A wedding in the family required financial help, and he turned to a wealthy relative with a humble request for Rs. 5,000.
He was told to wait outside the house. And so, he waited—from 11 in the morning—under the harsh sun, parched, hesitant to step away for a sip of water. Hours passed. Finally, at 5pm, household help emerged—not with help, but with a verdict: “You are not lucky enough to receive support.” That day, Raja said, the truth struck him with greater force than the sun above— respect comes only with money.
This truth does not apply to individuals alone but in the fate of nations as well.
After nearly two centuries of British rule and another seven decades of struggles, India is now poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. According to IMF reports, India’s nominal GDP is projected to reach $4.19 trillion by the end of the year, slightly ahead of Japan’s $4.18 trillion. If this momentum continues, India may overtake Germany and claim the third spot by 2028.
This ascent has not been easy. For generations, India has been a cautionary tale of lost wealth and squandered dignity. When the British arrived, India held 23% of the global economy which reduced to less than 4% when they left. The famed Industrial Revolution of England was built on the ruins of Indian craftsmanship. India’s wealth funded the British empire, its taxes paying the British officials, its famine feeding their fortunes. Historians estimate that between 15 and 29 million Indians died from starvation during British rule, much of it linked directly to exploitative policies.
Even in the 1960s, we were staggering under the weight of poverty. Food shortage forced us to seek grain aid from countries like the United States. Former CIA official Bruce Riedel’s book cites letters written in 1962 from Indian leadership to John F Kennedy pleading for advanced fighter jets, transport aircraft, and supersonic air forces, as India was losing ground to China in a border war. Kennedy refused the request—gently, but firmly.
From seeking food and defence aid to now becoming the world’s fourth economic power is a journey steeped in struggle and silent grit.
Economists may credit reforms and policies but the efforts of its people—especially the young—should also be credited. With a median age in the early 30s, India is more open to adopting change and new technology than societies like Japan, with a much older population.
Among the new revolutions in technology, the UPI remains my favourite. Nearly a decade ago, I attended a meeting with the creators of UPI—then a nascent idea under the Reserve Bank of India. It felt like science fiction when they spoke of a future where every payment will happen via mobile phones.
Today, it’s part of everyday life. Last year alone, India saw over a billion UPI transactions. On a street corner, Veni Akka, a 72-year-old idli vendor, refuses to extend credit when customers say they have no change. “You can GPay, RuPay or PhonePe—but please pay,” she says. She never went to school. That is the India we are becoming.
There is still a long way to go. The per capita GDP of Japan is over $33,000, while India’s still hovers below $3,000.
Saint poet Valluvar did not limit his wisdom to spiritual wealth but also material wealth, and gave the most prudent advice about earning prosperity.
Porul Allavarai Porulagach Cheyyum
Porulalla Thillai Porul.
There is nothing like wealth that
Brings the insignificant to prominence.
Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.
A friend and co-speaker, Raja, has often shared a deeply personal episode from his youth. He was then unknown, and without means. A wedding in the family required financial help, and he turned to a wealthy relative with a humble request for Rs. 5,000.
He was told to wait outside the house. And so, he waited—from 11 in the morning—under the harsh sun, parched, hesitant to step away for a sip of water. Hours passed. Finally, at 5pm, household help emerged—not with help, but with a verdict: “You are not lucky enough to receive support.” That day, Raja said, the truth struck him with greater force than the sun above— respect comes only with money.
This truth does not apply to individuals alone but in the fate of nations as well.
After nearly two centuries of British rule and another seven decades of struggles, India is now poised to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. According to IMF reports, India’s nominal GDP is projected to reach $4.19 trillion by the end of the year, slightly ahead of Japan’s $4.18 trillion. If this momentum continues, India may overtake Germany and claim the third spot by 2028.
This ascent has not been easy. For generations, India has been a cautionary tale of lost wealth and squandered dignity. When the British arrived, India held 23% of the global economy which reduced to less than 4% when they left. The famed Industrial Revolution of England was built on the ruins of Indian craftsmanship. India’s wealth funded the British empire, its taxes paying the British officials, its famine feeding their fortunes. Historians estimate that between 15 and 29 million Indians died from starvation during British rule, much of it linked directly to exploitative policies.
Even in the 1960s, we were staggering under the weight of poverty. Food shortage forced us to seek grain aid from countries like the United States. Former CIA official Bruce Riedel’s book cites letters written in 1962 from Indian leadership to John F Kennedy pleading for advanced fighter jets, transport aircraft, and supersonic air forces, as India was losing ground to China in a border war. Kennedy refused the request—gently, but firmly.
From seeking food and defence aid to now becoming the world’s fourth economic power is a journey steeped in struggle and silent grit.
Economists may credit reforms and policies but the efforts of its people—especially the young—should also be credited. With a median age in the early 30s, India is more open to adopting change and new technology than societies like Japan, with a much older population.
Among the new revolutions in technology, the UPI remains my favourite. Nearly a decade ago, I attended a meeting with the creators of UPI—then a nascent idea under the Reserve Bank of India. It felt like science fiction when they spoke of a future where every payment will happen via mobile phones.
Today, it’s part of everyday life. Last year alone, India saw over a billion UPI transactions. On a street corner, Veni Akka, a 72-year-old idli vendor, refuses to extend credit when customers say they have no change. “You can GPay, RuPay or PhonePe—but please pay,” she says. She never went to school. That is the India we are becoming.
There is still a long way to go. The per capita GDP of Japan is over $33,000, while India’s still hovers below $3,000.
Saint poet Valluvar did not limit his wisdom to spiritual wealth but also material wealth, and gave the most prudent advice about earning prosperity.
Porul Allavarai Porulagach Cheyyum
Porulalla Thillai Porul.
There is nothing like wealth that
Brings the insignificant to prominence.
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