Its blind chancellor predicted that Kovind would be president
When the BJP made the surprise announcement of Ram Nath Kovind’s candidature for presidency, newspapers reported that a blind guru, Rambhadracharya, had prophesied it. A few weeks later, the guru confirmed it to me. “Kovind met me at a function in Samastipur [Bihar] in May,” he said. “I told him that his good demeanour and humbleness will soon take him to the topmost post of the country. Soon after the announcement of his candidature, he called me and said ‘I was just dreaming about [becoming] vice president, and you made me the president’.”
I met Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at Tulsi Peeth, his ashram in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. He was born Giridhar Mishra in 1950 in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. As an infant, he lost his eyesight to trachoma and throughout his life he has worked to uplift the disabled. In 2001, he established what he claims is the world’s first university for the disabled, in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot straddles two states and is about two kilometres from his ashram in Satna.
A Sanskrit scholar, poet, commentator and author, Rambhadracharya received the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for serving the disabled. He travels the country reciting Ram Katha. He said he knew 22 languages mentioned in the Constitution.
Esta historia es de la edición August 27, 2017 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 27, 2017 de THE WEEK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
