Destined Encounters

Five characters Baig, Crised, Dastur, Ingrid and Risto (G5) of varied backgrounds who had met first at University of Realisation recall main events of their lives simultaneously, right from college days, in their death beds. They were born on same day and had succeeded in causing major changes in Politico-socio-economic-spiritual systems, globally. Major college events depicted in Part I include Dean’s Address, First Interaction by new students, talks by visiting dignitaries on Feminism on International Women’s Day, Humanity by Nobel laureate on 2ndOct, Conflict Resolution on UN International Anti-Corruption Day by a lawyer etc. A successful entrepreneur addresses students on Success from Failures on Birthday of a famous Mathematician by an entrepreneur. With stories and anecdotes in his discourse, he urges students to work hard without giving up, and urges to be persistent for success and deserve before desiring. He cautions about avarice, greed, easy living, drugs, permissive sex etc. Efforts on meditation by G5 seeking larger meanings of life on Pi day –March 14th and a meet-a-thon session on Good Friday with Animals also are described. Crised the spiritualist meets all the animals on to understand and solve their problems, especially relationship with humans. He explains to them about evolution transcendence etc. Distrust of human beings is what comes out from all animals, with environment degradation, damage and endangered species as the most vociferous complaints. Pertinent topics to lay groundwork for the coverage ahead in the book are highlighted through essays in College Mag, and poetry in Varsity Verses, in Part II of the book. Eight essays addressing relevant issues and topics for secular, harmonious living of all religions in amity are featured in the book from ‘College Mag’: Why God? Same Gender Dilemma, Unifying Spirituality, Final frontier, Perceptions Galore, On Secularism, Nobel for Godology and, Understanding Politicians. Likewise, verses in Varisty verses on Why poetry, Prose in Verse, Adjectives, Mind Matters, Oh My God, Prisoners of Perceptions, Thinker Cure Thyself, Eudaimonia, Great Leveller, Cogito, Ennui. There are two complementary drawings converted to pdf, tracing philo-spiritual-religious growth of human beings seeking realisation of the ultimate kind. In Part III, G5 enact a play on Bard’s birthday. It slowly morphs into Panel Discussions providing for depth of coverage called for. In 5 parts, various aspects of all faiths and religions are considered. Major sects of all religions are highlighted. Developments in all fields vis-a-vis enlightenment in science are probed into. Spiritual practices leading religions are talked about with express intent of finding commonalities for harmonisation. G5 wonder why only Abrahamic religions and those from Indus valley are known and practised and what would have happened to those developed from other civilisations! Perhaps lost for good due to colonisation, slavery, mishandling, proselytization etc, they conclude!! During the play, G5 interact with Q, X, Y and Z from the audience who ask disturbing questions. In Part IV meetings at different parts of world like Singapore, Dubai, Athens, Rome and Varanasi are portrayed well with the specific purposes they serve. G5 had not disclosed their identities, past and history as to where they came from, where they belonged etc, having gone by first name basis only. They themselves hadn’t been sure for most of their lives, having managed with supporting documents created for various necessities and activities. Eventually they `realise’ who they actually were finding backgrounds through strange methods and share antecedents with their bosom friends. G5 visit Gulf countries after Dastur wins Nobel for Cosmic Inflation. During their visits they convince Gulf countries to work together for peace bringing Sunnis and Shias closer, linking with Pan Arab Railway and a chunnel between Oman/UAE and Iran under Hormuz strait. In Jihad, Baig and his wives from Pakistan and Afghanistan are allowed to escape from Afpak border seeking safe asylum. During the escapade they change plans and route, and blow up the aircraft. A must read to enjoy the thriller. Was it Baig who did it? Deliverance is another thriller wherein citizens of a small misruled country organise a drastic peaceful revolution on their own driven by ideas elucidated and spread by G5. A NGO lady is given credit for it. They chase out all intellectuals and politicians stating that those lots had not done any good or delivered on any development or promises made for decades. G5 meets in Rome next arranged by Baig’s new wife of convenience Gabriela. Her Catholic Christian connection opens doors to Vatican and Pope. Ingrid is to be canonised and Baig is to be beatified, when alive! They visit Istanbul the city that straddles Europe and Asia, revisits its history and invites the Imams from Makkah and Medina etc over to Istanbul and then onwards to Rome to evince interest in inter-faith dialogues. They learn from Roman Empire’s history how it had developed and collapsed. In Rome, their plan works out perfectly well –Christendom on back-foot due to falling church attendance, dalliance etc and Islam drifting towards fanaticism- agreeing to work together. Pope, Imams and G5 pray together, perform Suryanamaskar, Meditation, Toppukarnam etc to demonstrate commitment. The message spreads fast, far and wide, gathering momentum. Gods and satan are upset with the author for trying to unify and abolish religions and hold inquisition meting out reasonable punishments to author, reviewer, publisher etc…..More of a joke!! Final chapter is a multi-thriller. First is on Pope, Imams, Saints, Savants, Acharya etc attending Kumbh Mela of 2025 in Varanasi; 2nd is about frightening scenes on feared terrorist nuclear attack. Third is about India, Pakistan and Bangladesh coming together as INDUSTAN through a non-violent revolution that would wake up even Gandhi from the grave …read on….enjoy….relax! Purpose of the book to act as a catalyst to cause changes through youth is revealed in revolutions it causes few times in many places in many ways, bringing the world and ideologies together for the greater common good of humanity bridging divisiveness of religions, politics, economics et al. To that extent history, philosophy, religions, economics etc are analysed contextually as necessary.