Commercialization of religion

Commercialization of religion

1985 1 January 8 Commercialization of religion (89) According to the English writer Evelyn Waugh (1902-1966): “American manufactures of ‘religious goods’ offer many ingenious novelties, including a ‘rosary aid’ which records each ‘Ave’ on a dial with a sharp click, and a plastic crucifix which, I was assured, had the advantage that you could throw it on the ground and stamp on it.” (The Essays, Articles and Reviews of Evelyn Waugh.)

In recent years ‘Tasbeeh aids’, manufactured in Japan, which perform the same function as ‘rosary aids’, have become available in many parts of the Muslim world.

Life’s Labours are Never Lost

1985 1 January 8 Life’s Labours are Never Lost (250) Iana Devangaddy of Bangalore was a student at Cambridge when Jawahar Lal Nehru went to study there. He developed a close association with Nehru. It was because of this relationship that his son, Deren Angaddy, heard a lot about Nehru during his childhood. Impressed with his personality, Deren used to impersonate him. Later Deren became a film actor.

When Attenborough planned to produce a film on Gandhi, with an investment of Rs. 25 Crores (about $ 25 m). Deren was selected to play the role of Nehru. However, after six months he was told by the film producers that he was being dropped from the list of actors and that Roshan Seth had been chosen to play this role instead. This decision was made six months after Deren Angaddy had been offered the role, during which time he had worked hard to perfect his role. The news shocked him to the point where he committed suicide.

Why did Deren Angaddy take such a drastic step? Was it because he had worked hard to develop an ability which had no further use? Seemingly this had plunged him into a depression so deep that he took his life.

People tend to overlook the fact that professional skill and ability achieved by hard struggle is an investment in itself. Even if they fail to find an immediate outlet, life’s labours are never lost in the long run. Sooner or later opportunities are bound to present themselves to draw on such painfully acquired skills.