Alleviation of poverty is a major theme for India. Addressing an international conference in Rio de Janeiro, Indira who was speaking on pollution, said poverty is the greatest polluter. The government has initiated dozens of programmes towards that end. For a long time it was true that Indian poverty defied such efforts. Now, it is equally true that Prosperity is seen in substantial measure. What is happening? If people are better fed, better clothed, from where do such resources come? Shops, two wheelers, cars, and houses rise in number.

Democratic nations grant by law to every citizen the right to defend themselves. It is a sacred right for the Individual. Law endeavours to ensure justice, but justice being a wider term, law ends up delivering legal justice based on evidence presented to the court. All evidence cannot be produced. The law does not admit all evidence produced. Its hands are fettered. Justice is greater than law. There is no machinery at present to deliver justice. Life enforces, not justice, but natural justice based on STRENGTH, not rightness.

Discussion of the lives of political leaders is a pastime among their followers. One such leader lived up to the age of 96. What was the secret of his long life, discussed his admirers. Of course, he had rendered distinguished selfless service. He was austere and self-denying, an independent, original thinker. It was thought these were powerful arguments in favour of the long life God had granted to him. But, as a rule or law of life, this will not hold good, as this long life of 96 seemed to be an exception, rather than a rule.

A small company that introduces its product faces a vicious situation. The customers want the product on credit. Otherwise, they will not accept it. Once the credit is extended, a part of the credit remains unpaid. It can never be collected until the product is in demand. Once the product changes status, credit can be easily collected. A proverb says, "Outstanding monies have to be written off, unless persistent efforts are made to collect them" This is very true, not only in arrears but in many other places. Promotions due are often to be claimed, seldom granted automatically.

Karna was the eldest Pandava, born to Kunti and Surya. He knew not his birth. He grew up as the adopted child of a charioteer. Drona refused to teach him, as he was not a Prince. Parasurama who taught him, believing him to be a Brahmin, cursed him at the end that his knowledge would desert him at the most momentous crisis. He was constantly humiliated by Bhima and Arjuna as sudaputra. When Karna challenged Arjuna in the Assembly, Arjuna would not accept the challenge from an inferior person. Nor could he introduce himself at the Assembly.

In the very beginning of creation, there was Infinity and Eternity, says the scriptures. God is described as an infinite Being living eternally. Mathematics says that the Infinite does not increase or decrease. The Infinite multiplied by any number, say ten, remains Infinite. Even when the Infinite is divided by ten, it remains Infinite. It is an important concept in mathematics. Spiritually too, the Infinite is equally important. Infinite minus Infinite equals Infinite is the dictum of the Upanishads.