Business Development Executive

Asked to remove a tilak, while others wore their faith freely. In a diverse India, are we defining fairness the right way?

Yesterday, at a random catch-up with friends, a conversation stayed with me. One of them shared his experience working at a global company in India. He’s a Hindu. On certain days, he comes to work with a small tilak on his forehead. Nothing loud. Nothing disruptive. Just a quiet expression of identity. But he’s been asked multiple times to remove it. The reason? “We are a global company.” Fair enough—until you notice something else. Colleagues openly wear a cross. Some wear a hijab. And that’s completely accepted. No questions asked. So the question isn’t about religion. It’s about consistency. If neutrality is the rule, shouldn’t it apply equally to everyone? And if expression is allowed, shouldn’t it be allowed for everyone? Because fairness cannot be selective. In a country as diverse as India, the goal shouldn’t be to suppress identity it should be to respect all identities equally. No one should feel like they need to hide who they are to belong. Curious how do your workplaces handle this?

Hostage's Unexpected Gesture Sparks Debate

- A recent hostage exchange between Hamas and Israeli authorities has ignited controversy due to public ceremonies. - Omer Shem Tov, one of the released hostages, kissed two masked militants during the handover, surprising many. - Shem Tov's family expressed immense relief and joy at his return after 505 days of captivity. - Israeli officials, the UN, and the Red Cross condemned the staged photo opportunities as inhumane. - The gesture has sparked mixed reactions, with some seeing it as a potential symbol of peace. Source: [Asianet Newsable](https://newsable.asianetnews.com/world/israeli-hostage-kisses-forehead-of-hamas-militants-during-exchange-ceremony-dmn-ss4gz6), [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/shocking-moment-freed-israeli-hostage-unexpectedly-kisses-hamas-fighters-on-forehead-101740280497447.html), [Times Now News](https://www.timesnownews.com/world/middle-east/watch-israeli-hostage-omer-shem-tov-kisses-hamas-militants-forehead-after-being-released-article-118487013)

Lost & Found by God 🙏😅

# Lost & Found by God 🙏😅 This is one incident I personally don’t even remember… but my mother still tells this story with emotions. We had gone to Tirumala Temple as a family — mom, dad, my baby sister… and then there was me. The problem child 😭😂 As expected from a mischievous kid, I apparently escaped from the queue barricades somehow. Back then in Tirumala during heavy crowd, people used to move inside those long iron cage-type queue lines. And little me thought: “Wow… adventure park” 🤝🤣 Within minutes my parents realized: “Where is this fellow?!” Panic started. They searched everywhere nearby. And just at the wrong time, one of the queue gates opened. Crowd started rushing out. Now imagine the tension: Thousands of people… one tiny mischievous kid missing 😭 My mother says she almost broke down. And then… Out of nowhere, one lady appeared. She asked my mother softly: “Are you searching for someone?” And before my mother could even react, she pointed at me and said: “Is this the boy you are looking for?” My mother says that lady was wearing a beautiful saree, very grand looking, with a big bindi on her forehead. The moment my mother tells this part even today… honestly… goosebumps. Because after giving me back, that lady simply disappeared into the crowd. For my mother, that day… that lady herself was God 🙏 As I grew older, I understood one thing: Maybe God doesn’t always come with powers, light, or miracles. Sometimes God comes in the form of a stranger helping you when you are helpless. Sometimes God is simply kindness. And whenever we help someone without expecting anything back… maybe for that moment, we become God for someone else ❤️ And yes… as Uppi sir said: “I am God… God is great.” 😄