top of page

By:

Kaustubh Kale

10 September 2024 at 6:07:15 pm

Akshay Tritiya and Gold

As Akshay Tritiya arrives, gold once again takes centre stage in Indian households. For generations, buying gold on this auspicious day has been considered a symbol of prosperity, purity, and good fortune. It is not just a purchase. It is an emotion, a blessing, and a tradition passed from one generation to another. But beyond tradition, gold also carries an important financial lesson. Gold is not just jewellery. It is an asset. Gold During Uncertain Times Over the years, gold has proved its...

Akshay Tritiya and Gold

As Akshay Tritiya arrives, gold once again takes centre stage in Indian households. For generations, buying gold on this auspicious day has been considered a symbol of prosperity, purity, and good fortune. It is not just a purchase. It is an emotion, a blessing, and a tradition passed from one generation to another. But beyond tradition, gold also carries an important financial lesson. Gold is not just jewellery. It is an asset. Gold During Uncertain Times Over the years, gold has proved its worth not only during festivals, but also during uncertain times. Whenever the world faces wars, inflation, currency weakness, economic slowdown, or financial panic, investors across the globe look at gold as a safe haven. This is because gold has a unique quality. It is trusted across countries, cultures, and generations. It does not depend on the promise of one government, one company, or one currency. Why Gold Holds Value Unlike paper currency, gold cannot be printed endlessly. Unlike businesses, it does not depend on profits or management quality. Unlike real estate, it is globally accepted and easily valued. This is why gold continues to remain one of the oldest and most respected stores of value. It has survived centuries of change, economic cycles, wars, and financial crises. The Right Role in Your Portfolio That said, gold should not be treated as a shortcut to wealth creation. Equities and equity mutual funds still remain essential for long-term growth. Gold plays a different role. It brings balance, stability, and protection to your portfolio. When equity markets are volatile or global uncertainty rises, gold often provides comfort. A sensible allocation of around 10-20% to gold can help reduce overall portfolio risk.  So basically, while stocks and equity mutual funds play the lead role in your long-term financial goals, gold plays the supporting but essential role. Physical Gold Has Limitations However, the way you invest in gold matters. Buying physical gold during festivals may feel emotionally satisfying, but it comes with practical challenges. There are making charges, purity concerns, storage issues, risk of theft, and liquidity problems. A necklace may be beautiful, but you cannot easily sell only a small portion of it when you need money. Also, when gold is bought as jewellery, the investor often forgets to calculate the actual return after making charges and deductions. Smarter Ways to Invest This is where Gold Mutual Funds and Gold ETFs become useful. They allow you to invest in gold without worrying about lockers, purity, theft, or storage. You can invest flexible amounts, start SIPs, track value easily, and redeem conveniently when required. For investors who want gold as part of their financial plan, these options are far more practical than buying jewellery purely as an investment. Tradition with Financial Clarity Akshay Tritiya is a beautiful reminder that wealth should be built with faith, patience, and clarity. Buying gold is auspicious, but buying it in the right form is financially wise. This Akshay Tritiya, celebrate tradition - but also upgrade your financial thinking. Because true prosperity is not just about owning gold. It is about owning it smartly. (The writer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

A Compass for Social Reform

Mahatma Basweshwar, the 12th century philosopher and social reformer, articulated a vision of society grounded in equality, dignity of labor, rational devotion and service to humanity. He was the prime minister who preferred pavement; he was the voice of the voiceless. His timeless wisdom is needed today to reshape the modern India. His principles of Kayaka (work as worship) and Dasoha (sharing and service) remain profoundly relevant in addressing contemporary challenges such as economic inequality, social discrimination, technological disruption, environmental crises and mental health concerns. This study examines the applicability of Basweshwar’s thoughts to present-day problems, situating his philosophy within global discourses on ethics, sustainability and artificial intelligence (AI). His Vachanas are verses of revolution and we should go beyond mere statue and should live the legacy of his rich thought to tackle modern evils and problems.


Mahatma Basweshwar’s philosophy, though rooted in medieval India, offers timeless guidance. His rejection of caste hierarchies, emphasis on rationality and devotion through action provide a framework for building inclusive, ethical and sustainable societies. This study explores how Basweshwar’s thoughts can serve as solutions to modern problems. Scholarly interpretations of Basweshwar highlight his pioneering role in social justice and rational spirituality. The Anubhava Mantapa, established under his leadership, is often described as the world’s first democratic forum, embodying ideals of participatory governance and egalitarian dialogue. In this context, this study seeks to bridge that gap between modern day problems with ancient wisdom. In fact, there is dire need of Mahatma Basweshwar’s Philosophy in Addressing Modern Challenges.


Thoughts and Problems

Basweshwar’s thoughts on education, war and peace emphasize equality, dignity and dialogue. He envisioned education as a tool for liberation, rejected violence and exploitation and promoted peace through spiritual democracy and collective discourse. These principles remain highly relevant in addressing modern conflicts and nation building.


Basweshwar on Education

Anubhava Mantapa: Established as the world’s first democratic academy, where men and women of all castes could freely discuss philosophy, ethics and social issues.

Education for All: He rejected caste-based restrictions, promoting universal access to knowledge.

Practical Learning: Emphasized vocational skills (Kayaka) alongside spiritual and moral education. He used Kannada Vachanas instead of Sanskrit, making education accessible to common people.

Modern Relevance:

Promotes inclusive classrooms, skill-based learning, and vernacular education.

Counters elitism in education by valuing practical knowledge and dignity of labor.

Basweshwara on War:-

Rejection of Violence: He opposed wars rooted in greed, caste supremacy, or ritual orthodoxy.

Critique of Exploitation: Saw war as a product of inequality and selfishness.

Spiritual Resistance: Advocated reform through dialogue, poetry and collective action rather than armed conflict.

Modern Relevance:

Encourages nonviolent resistance against oppression.

Provides ethical grounding for peace movements and critiques of militarism.

Basweshwara on Peace:-

Equality as Peace: True peace arises when caste, gender, and class barriers are dismantled.

Dasoha (Sharing & Service): Promotes social harmony through resource sharing and community welfare.

Dialogue & Democracy: The Anubhava Mantapa embodied peaceful resolution of disputes through open discussion.

Spiritual Democracy: Peace is sustained when all beings are treated with dignity and respect.

Basweshwara on Work (Kayaka):-

Work as Worship: He declared that honest labor is sacred, rejecting idleness and exploitation.

Dignity of All Professions: No work is inferior; every occupation contributes to society.

Self-Reliance: Encouraged individuals to earn through their own effort rather than dependence or exploitation.


Integration with Education: Practical skills and vocational training were seen as essential parts of learning.

 

Modern Relevance

Counters unemployment and underemployment by valuing skill-based education.

Inspires entrepreneurship and dignity for manual labor.

Provides ethical grounding for sustainable work practices in today’s economy.


His vision challenges modern inequalities in access to quality education. His rejection of violence resonates in an era of global conflicts and terrorism. His emphasis on equality and dialogue provides a timeless model for building harmonious societies. Basweshwar’s philosophy provides a moral compass for navigating modern challenges. By integrating his principles into policy, education and technology, societies can balance innovation with compassion ensuring that progress uplifts humanity rather than intensify inequality.


Mahatma Basweshwar’s thoughts are not relics of the past but living principles capable of solving present-day problems. His vision of dignity in labor, equality, rational devotion and service offers practical and ethical solutions to economic inequality, social discrimination, technological disruption, and environmental crises. In the era of AI, his philosophy reminds us that true progress lies not in technological advancement alone, but in ensuring that such progress is human-centered, inclusive and compassionate. Mahatma Basweshwar’s philosophy, centered on equality, dignity of labor and devotion through action offers profound relevance in the AI era, where ethical use of technology, inclusivity and human-centered values are critical. His principles of Kayaka (work as worship) and Dasoha (sharing and service) can guide AI development toward social justice and collective well-being. In brief, Mahatma Basweshwar’s thoughts provide a moral compass for the AI era - urging us to design technology that uplifts humanity, honors labor and fosters equality.


(The writer is Head & Assistant Professor in English at Mahatma Basweshwar College, Latur. Views personal.) 

Comments

bottom of page