Team Herald
PANJIM: The DD Kosambi Festival of Ideas concluded with a captivating talk by Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to circumnavigate the world solo. Sharing his experiences, he described the challenges of solitude at sea, a near-fatal fall that fractured his spine, and struggles to secure funding for his 2022 Golden Globe Race, which was ultimately financed by a Dubai-based AI company. He emphasised that spending time at sea can be a transformative experience for young Indians.
The festival opened with Gaur Gopal Das, who engaged the audience with his humour and wisdom. He compared stages to success, stating that the higher one rises, the lonelier it gets, as people become more interested in using rather than loving. He also reflected on the paradox of chasing happiness—the more one seeks it, the more it eludes them.
On the second day, renowned Hindi writer Alka Saraogi addressed mental health in a session titled “And It Says, Save Me from Suicide”.
Speaking to students and the public, she discussed the human dilemma, urging people to look beyond their personal struggles to understand larger global issues. She also stressed that writers should remain true to their craft, regardless of societal reactions.
Day three featured Aditya Gupta, an entrepreneur and mountaineer, who used Mount Everest as a metaphor for personal challenges. He said, “Everyone has their own Everest, whether it’s exams, parenting, or running a business. It’s an internal journey of resilience.” He shared that he succeeded in climbing Everest only on his second attempt, emphasising perseverance.
On the final day, Nivedita Bhide, Vice President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, highlighted Swami Vivekananda’s teachings, particularly his impact on the World’s Parliament of Religions. She lamented that his vision for India and the world remained unfulfilled, but expressed hope through youth empowerment camps.
She said her organisation was doing everything to deal with it by organising camps for young people from around the country.
The festival brought together thought leaders from diverse fields, each offering insights into resilience, self-discovery, and societal transformation.