3I/ATLAS and Our Cosmic Limitations

 

When an object from the distant parts of the universe—3I/ATLAS—entered our solar system, it did more than spark scientific curiosity. It held up a mirror to humanity, showing us just how limited we are in our technological reach.

For all our talk about space exploration and interstellar travel, the truth is sobering, we are still a century away from real breakthroughs. Despite knowing that 3I/ATLAS could be an interstellar visitor, possibly billions of years old, we cannot even send a simple study probe to examine it closely. The object passes by, and all we can do is observe from afar, guessing at its origins.

Imagine, for a moment, that 3I/ATLAS is an alien probe, sent to survey new worlds and report back. What if it’s silently watching, transmitting data about our civilization to distant stars? We would be powerless—sitting ducks before a technology millions of years ahead of us.

And yet, this is not just about aliens or science fiction. It’s about our priorities.
The world today is fragmented: superpowers are consumed by rivalries, while developing nations struggle with the basics of survival. Humanity acts not as a single planetary species, but as fractured tribes—just as pre-colonial India once was, divided into kingdoms that failed to unite when the colonial forces arrived. The parallel is haunting. When a cosmic “colonial power” appears, what would we have to offer—division or unity?

We speak of “planetary defense,” but do we truly act like a planet?
Our telescopes may have improved, but our vision as a civilization remains narrow. We need a renaissance of planetary thinking, where humanity moves beyond national boundaries to embrace its role as a single, learning species in a vast cosmic theater.

Still, amid this frustration, there is wonder. 3I/ATLAS reminds us that we are part of a larger story—that the universe sends us visitors, even if fleeting, to remind us how far we’ve yet to go. I hope that one day, we will be advanced enough to send probes beyond the Oort Cloud, capable of chasing interstellar travelers, and maybe even bridging the gulf between stars.

Until then, we can only look up, humbled and curious, and ask the same timeless question:
What’s really out there?

Diwali: Story of hope

Diwali is not just about lighting lamps or bursting firecrackers—it is about the light within us, returning after we have walked through our own struggles. It is the celebration of returning to our roots, after fulfilling the duties of dharma. When Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, it was not only a prince coming home—it was dharma returning to society, truth shining once again after darkness.

1. Staying Away, Yet Staying Hopeful

For the sake of dharma and for the good of society, sometimes one has to stay away from their own. Shri Ram left behind his palace, his family, and his comforts, yet he never left behind hope. The Ramayan reminds us:

"त्यज्य पितृवचनं सत्यं न रामोऽनृतमब्रवीत्।"

(Ram never spoke an untruth, nor abandoned the words of his father.)

Just like Ram, in our struggles we may feel distanced from loved ones, but hope and righteousness are the ties that always bring us back.

2. Flexibility and Allies in Struggle

Life often throws us into situations we cannot predict. At such times, being rigid only breaks us. Shri Ram did not wait for a perfect army—he accepted the friendship of Sugriva, Hanuman, and the vanar sena. In that flexibility and trust, he found strength.

"सखा सो हनुमानु जसु राम कहि न जाई।"

(Hanuman, the dearest of friends, whose glory even Ram himself cannot fully describe.)

This teaches us that in life, alliances, friendships, and trust are our guiding lamps through the darkest nights.

3. Grit Over Perfection

We often waste time looking for perfection. But Ram shows us otherwise—he fought the might of Ravan’s army not with celestial warriors, but with vanars, bears, and simple weapons. What won the war was not perfection, but resolve, grit, and unshakable dharma.

"धर्मो विजयते नित्यं धर्मे सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्।"

(It is always dharma that ultimately wins; everything is established upon dharma.)

In our lives too, it is not the perfect circumstances that bring victory, but the strength to continue, despite imperfections.

 The Spirit of Diwali Today

So as we light our lamps this Diwali, let us not worry too much about so-called norms or appearances. Instead, let us return to our roots, celebrate goodness, spread love and positivity, and never forget our duties—to our family, our society, and our loved ones.

Diwali is not only about the triumph of Ram over Ravan. It is about the triumph of light over darkness within ourselves.

"दीपो हरतु दारिद्र्यम् दीपो दारुण्य नाशयेत्।"

(May this lamp take away poverty, may it destroy hardships.)

Let every diya we light remind us of our inner dharma—our duty to live with hope, to build bonds, and to spread light.

This Diwali, return to your roots. Celebrate with joy. Live with dharma.