The Ramrattan Social Service Center for Excellence

20/10/2025

Diwali, also called Deepavali, is the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival typically spans five days, with the main day falling on the new moon night of the lunar month Kartika, usually in October or November.

Origins and stories vary by region. Many Hindus mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and the people welcoming him with lamps. Others focus on Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and Ganesha for auspicious beginnings. In some traditions Krishna defeats the demon Narakasura. Jains commemorate Lord Mahavira’s attainment of nirvana. Sikhs observe Bandi Chhor Divas, celebrating the release of Guru Hargobind.

How we celebrate today. Families clean and decorate homes, create colorful rangoli, light rows of oil lamps, wear new clothes, share sweets and snacks, exchange gifts, visit temples, and gather for prayer and fireworks where permitted. Around the world, city skylines, community centers, and workplaces host melas, cultural shows, and lighting ceremonies that bring people together across faiths and backgrounds.

02/10/2025

Podcast: "Gandhi - Beyond the Icon"

02/10/2025

Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on His 156th Birthday

On the 156th anniversary of his birth, the world honors Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (born Oct. 2, 1869), a global icon of peace and freedom. Known as Bapu (father) in India, his birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and as the International Day of Nonviolence worldwide.

Gandhi trained as a barrister at London's Inner Temple, where he was called to the bar at age 22. In London he also joined the Vegetarian Society and was introduced to the Bhagavad Gita, a text that deeply influenced his philosophy.

His defining transformation began in South Africa, where he spent 21 years after arriving in 1893. Experiencing intense racial discrimination, such as being thrown off a train, ignited his activism. There he developed Satyagraha ("devotion to the truth"), his famous method of nonviolent resistance. He also founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to fight for civil rights and organized an ambulance corps during the Boer War.

Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921. He led nationwide campaigns for independence (swaraj), advocating for the boycott of British goods in favor of homespun khadi cloth. His 1930 Salt March, a 400 km protest against the British salt tax, was a pivotal act of civil disobedience that led to the imprisonment of over 60,000 people and shook the British Raj. In 1942, he launched the Quit India Movement demanding the British leave, which resulted in his imprisonment once again.

A proponent of a united, religiously pluralistic India, Gandhi opposed the 1947 partition. He did not celebrate independence, instead fasting and appealing for peace amidst the ensuing religious violence. On January 30, 1948, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist.

Gandhi's legacy endures globally, having inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. As Albert Einstein said, he is "a role model for the generations to come."

02/10/2025

| Celebrating the Triumph of Strength

Every time Shakti is challenged, she rises.
Every time her power is doubted, she conquers.
Every time the world forgets her strength, she reminds.

On Vijaya Dashami, we honor not only the victory of good over evil, but also the unstoppable force of the feminine spirit.

In mythology, when balance was lost, it was Devi Durga who restored it.

In today’s world, whenever women are tested, they rise just the same - in boardrooms, classrooms, labs, homes, and everywhere in between.

Let this day remind us:
Empowered women are not optional. They are essential.

Here’s to honoring strength with grace, power with purpose, and the rise of women everywhere!

01/10/2025

From Easy Mode to Hacker Mode: Unlocking life's secrets with 16 Indian philosophies. Which strategy is yours? 🤔

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02/09/2025

A portrait of the late Balcomarie Ramrattan, beloved wife of Pandit Phagoo Ramrattan, and the matriarch whose strength, compassion, and vision became the cornerstone of the Ramrattan Social Service Center for Excellence (RSSCE).

17/08/2025

14/08/2025