You might have heard of Sun Bath, Steam Bath, and Mud Bath. Have you heard of Sound Bath?

Dear Friends,

One female cockroach can produce up to 300–400 offspring. A termite colony can reach millions and cause major structural damage in 3–6 months. What do you do immediately? You call pest control, right? Pest control works not just by killing the pest, but by understanding its pattern, access, and ecosystem.

What is the pest for the body today? Stress and Anxiety.

A couple of days back, I was sitting on my balcony. A father, aged 60–70 years, was consoling his daughter, who works in IT. She was complaining about her manager’s pressure, how she was unable to handle the targets, wanted to change her job, etc. The father was saying that changing jobs was not a permanent solution. Make work agreements clear, communicate properly, and avoid hasty decisions, he advised.

At the age of 15 – study pressure, rank pressure.
At the age of 23 – job selection pressure.
At the age of 25 – package pressure.
At the age of 28 – marriage selection pressure.
At the age of 30 – maintaining family expectations while managing company expectations is pressure.
At the age of 50–70 – new medical problems occur.
From the age of 70+ – leading life itself is pressure.

44% of employees globally experience daily workplace stress. Stress-related burnout costs employers over $300 billion annually.

Where does it lead? Again, to more stress.

The loop works like this:
Stress → Poor Sleep → Weakened Immunity → Low Energy & Mood → Increased Anxiety → More Stress.

In our days, if you visited any village, the entire community would sit at the Ramalayam or any temple or spiritual gathering place. Have you ever experienced a one-hour stay next to a temple bell? Temple bells produce long-resonating frequencies, often between 90–120 Hz, which align with the theta brainwave range (associated with deep meditation and relaxation). The reverberation can last up to 7 seconds and is said to activate all seven chakras in the body. The human body is ~70% water, and sound waves can create microscopic vibrations. They reduce muscular tension and calm the nervous system.

Thanks to the pressure, especially in IT and related industries, companies have started offering “Sound Bath Therapy” or “Music Bath Therapy” for wellness. All participants are immersed in sound waves produced by instruments like gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, chimes, or even the human voice. Unlike a music concert, it's not meant to be watched or danced to—it's meant to be absorbed. These therapists are charging a decent amount to give that experience.

In our ancient system—and even today—if you happen to be in a Krishna temple, devotees sing the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. They repeat this mantra with kartals (hand cymbals), mridanga drums, and often a collective voice, continuously for 1–2 hours or more. Repeating a mantra multiple times entrains your mind to a single frequency, reducing distraction, anxiety, and thought clutter. The effect is similar to deep meditation—but with sound as the anchor instead of silence.

Instruments like the veena, violin, or tanpura produce continuous, droning, or resonant notes. I am requesting a few of my relatives to get deep into this kind of work and bring a platform so that people can play and listen in isolation.

Indian wisdom has always been ahead of its time. We lost touch with it for a while and are now rediscovering the same truths in new forms—be it Ayurveda, yoga, chanting, or sustainable living itself.

Are you experiencing this syndrome?

Ravi Saripalle

From Cross-Sector AI to Cross-Species Empathy: Lessons from Fusion AI Summit 2025

Dear Friends,

Over the last two days, I had the opportunity to contribute to the Fusion AI Summit 2025 in two unique capacities:

As a moderator, I led the panel “Cross-Sectoral AI: Driving Innovation and Efficiency Across Industries.”

And as a panel speaker, I joined the discussion on “Building the AI Skilling Ecosystem: Preparing for the Future Workforce.”

My favourite reflection from the stage:

“We don’t need AI that thinks like us—we need AI that understands who we serve.”

Among the many thought-provoking conversations, one unexpected story truly stood out for its depth, humanity, and vision—the way AI is being deployed at Vantara, the 3,000-acre animal rescue and conservation project by Reliance Industries in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Led by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara is one of the world’s largest and most advanced animal care centers—a sanctuary, hospital, and habitat all in one.

What amazed me was how AI is being used to:

• Track animal health metrics in real time using wearables and computer vision

• Monitor behavioral patterns across rescued species

• Predict disease outbreaks using environmental and biometric signals

It’s a perfect example of AI not replacing humans—but augmenting compassion with precision where veterinarians meet data scientists. Where sensors translate into empathy.

At a time when AI is largely discussed in the context of profits, platforms, and productivity, Vantara reminds us that AI can also serve life itself.

One of the most touching stories came from Dr. Madan Dabbeeru (PhD in Cognitive Robotics), who is part of the Vantara effort.

He shared how, through cognitive systems and observational AI, the team discovered how elephants “talk” to each other—from a mother elephant “checking in” with the father about their calf, to entire herds sharing stress signals across long distances.

Even more moving was the story of bears exhibiting suicidal behavior—triggered by digestive pain from being unable to defecate. The solution? Biologists designed a calming behavioural therapy using bananas placed in 8-shaped circles, gradually guiding the bears toward water, restoring both their physical and emotional balance.

These stories reminded me that AI isn’t just about automation—it’s about deeper observation. About translating the language of life.

Maybe it’s time we develop similar AI-powered systems for humans—ones that detect stress, anxiety, or cognitive overload not just through wearables, but through subtle cues in speech, silence, posture, or interaction patterns.

As of 2019, more than 970 million people—1 in 8 globally—were living with a mental health disorder. That number is likely rising as technology accelerates our pace, but not always our peace.

We don’t just need smarter machines—we need more emotionally intelligent systems. Ones that nudge us to pause, breathe, and heal. Because sometimes, the most humane thing AI can do…is remind us to be human.

Ravi Saripalle

Running for Life, Not Just for Food: A Reflection on Purpose

Dear Friends,

This morning, as soon as I woke up, I received a message:

“In a race between a lion and a deer, many times the deer wins because the lion runs for food and the deer runs for its life — the purpose is more than the need.”

Hope you are all aware of these facts. A daily wage laborer from Bihar, Dashrath Manjhi, carved a 110-meter-long path through a mountain using just a hammer and chisel — over 22 years — to ensure no one else would suffer like his wife, who died due to lack of timely medical access. At age 29, Chhonzin Angmo from Himachal Pradesh became the first visually impaired woman to summit Everest on May 19. Losing sight at age eight, she defied medical uncertainty and societal barriers. Her ascent exemplifies how purpose lights the path through the darkest challenges.

Today, the purpose is fading. It should be part of education. Fifteen years ago, when I was part of the startup ideas jury, we used to get grounded ideas like how to improve agricultural productivity and profitability. In recent times, most of the ideas are on travel, how to make better reels, or just to run entertainment goals. The reason is that they are not fighting on Maslow’s Theory (from bottom to top) — Physiological Needs and Safety Needs. The people taking up entrepreneurship competitions are mostly middle-class, upper-middle-class, or rich. Hence, their focus is mostly on Belongingness and Love (relationships, social connection), Esteem (respect, recognition, status), and Self-Actualization (growth, fulfilment). This is the difference. If the bottom of the pyramid takes up entrepreneurship, it is mostly for survival — feeding the stomach for that day or week. They never pitch but simply act. However, many times, they cannot grow beyond a point, except for a few exceptions.

Social and Rural Immersion programs in educational settings are mere tour visits or credit-scoring visits for many of them. As parents, we should also keep a bar on how much we transfer our wealth to our children. We should not build assets for their future comforts. This process hampers their thought process. They cannot think below a certain point. We should provide good education, good food and medication, and, at most, a liveable place, if possible. In my view, beyond a point, if we provide too much, one generation is saved, but in the next two to three generations, they return to the normal stage, except for a few exceptions.

Of course, preaching is easy, but practicing is tough! Sometimes, our attachments and natural instincts do not cooperate. However, consciously, we need to keep this conversation alive at home; otherwise, we are providing a shell without substance. Recently, I was listening to a conversation. A boy got an IIT seat but was unable to pay the ₹1.5 lakh first-year fee. He went from pillar to post to get this ₹1.5 lakh and took a loan for the rest of the three years. His mother’s monthly income was less than ₹10,000. The same boy later qualified for the civil services.

When we don’t have something, we come to know its value in that absence. A few weeks ago, I was having pain in my leg. I was barely able to walk. At that time, I came to know the value of a single nerve connecting my ankle. Personally, I know a boy who is intelligent. Everything was going normally. However, his father suddenly passed away due to a heart attack. His whole educational plan became a big block. All the savings were utilized for medical bills. Now, the boy, on his own, at the age of 17, is trying to join a school, keeping the budget at the center. I am sure he will be most successful, as he is getting a life education, which is the foundation for any college education.

Did you hear any such inspiring stories?

Ravi Saripalle

Is Art of Living Limited to Art of Parenting in the Current Age?

Dear Friends,

When we were children, elders used to say, once you secure good marks in the 10th class, you are almost settled in education. During intermediate, once you get into Engineering or any professional degree, your life is settled. Once that is done, we need to struggle to secure a job that matches the degree. Once a job is secured, marriage takes priority. Once marriage is done, children follow. At this stage, we think we are done with the major achievements of life. However, we soon realize that our real problems start from here. The problems that occurred till that date were only pilot studies!!

Recently, one of my friends called me and expressed his distress over the incident that happened in Meghalaya with a newlywed couple. The internet was stormed with this news. Twenty or thirty years back, parents used to relax once their child's marriage was done, as their job was more or less complete. The role of parenting used to stop there. The rest of life was to relish the good and bad—if health permitted. Otherwise, the focus would shift to managing health-related issues.

Is it the case now? Absolutely not.

The problem starts when children are in the toddler stage. A recent study in India reveals that over 60% of toddlers spend excessive time on screens, exceeding WHO guidelines and potentially hindering brain development. The study found that screens are used to pacify children, free up parents’ time, and allow completion of household chores. Research says it affects mental health and behaviour.

Once they go to school, parents own the academic pressures, social dynamics, and personal struggles. Recently, a mother quit her job—I should say, sacrificed her job—to stay with her son in Kota for IIT coaching. She stayed with the child to support his dream. In our days, these situations were rare. Even if they existed, it was mostly to ensure educational continuity, and that too only if the father had a transferable job. However, today, these academic pressures are not limited to one city, but are present throughout the world. In fact, there has been a disturbing rise in student suicides over the years due to academic pressure.

Once this phase is over and children get a job, the actual problem starts during the marriage process. The ugly and informal “6-6-6 rule” (6 ft height, six-pack abs, 6-figure income) is driving the match-making process. It is not just about male or female; these rules are influencing everyone. Recently, I read about a parent who took an extreme step because they were unable to arrange a suitable match for their daughter.

But the game is not over.

Today, parents are constantly wary of whether marriages will stand the test of time or not. The 2–5 years post-marriage are considered critical; otherwise, the fear of divorce haunts them.

Once this phase is over, parents face financial and medical issues. Earlier, many used to receive pensions. Today, that is not the case. They are worried about their jobs, especially post-50, as they begin to lose productivity. They are expected to sustain themselves until 60 or 65, as responsibilities continue to grow.

Recently, an incident went viral where children sent their aged mother out of her own house. While life expectancy is increasing, various medical issues are impairing mobility in old age. Sometimes, the mental burden they carry is more painful than death itself.

When we sum up the entire life, what is the most difficult phase for an individual when considering both physical and mental burden? It is not during childhood, not during education, not while getting a job, but once you take on responsibilities as a spouse, as a parent, and also as a caregiver to your own parents. The phase of parenting is the most difficult stage of life—without much appreciation.

Which phase of your life is filled with complexity?

Ravi Saripalle

The Neurons Behind Neural Networks: The Human Factor in Meta’s AI Vision

Dear Friends,

Meta has assembled a "Superintelligence" AI team. This dream team is more than just a collection of coders—it’s a convergence of brilliant minds shaped by elite education, relentless curiosity, and psychological depth.

I'm curious about where they studied, what they did, and what kind of skills they possess. Many of them come from institutions like Stanford, Princeton, Tsinghua, and IIT. Their résumés boast stints at OpenAI, DeepMind, and Anthropic. Many began their journeys with research assistant roles and internships at Adobe, Facebook, and Google Brain—developing meta-skills early in their careers.

If I had to summarize their cognitive archetypes, here’s how I would do it:
• The Researcher (e.g., Shengjia Zhao, Stanford PhD): Focused on theoretical purity and experimental control.
• The Builder (e.g., Shuchao Bi, YouTube Shorts co-founder): Driven by execution, systems thinking, and a strong product-to-research feedback loop.
• The Synthesizer (e.g., Huiwen Chang, Google Research + OpenAI): Excels in cross-modal creativity and possesses a design-thinking mindset.

These individuals work on complex topics like multi-agent systems, human-AI alignment, and interpretability—fields that require not just logic, but also empathy.

For example:
• Shuchao Bi transitioned from Zhejiang University to graduate work at UC Berkeley, blending mathematical depth with real-world impact at YouTube and OpenAI.
• Shengjia Zhao and Huiwen Chang, both Tsinghua alumni, pursued doctoral research at Stanford and Princeton, exemplifying the Yao Class tradition of academic brilliance.
• Jiahui Yu, a prodigy from USTC’s School of the Gifted Young, earned a PhD at UIUC, specializing in computer vision and generative models.
• Trapit Bansal, trained in India’s IIT system, sharpened his machine learning focus at UMass Amherst, balancing theoretical clarity with application.
• Shuyao Bi, who moved from Shanghai Jiao Tong University to Carnegie Mellon, showcases the practical backbone of real-time systems engineering.

You might be wondering, what’s the story for today?

About 4–5 years ago, in one of my talks, I mentioned that the world will eventually have only five types of jobs:
1. Entrepreneur
2. AI Trainer/Tuner
3. Prompt Engineer (including Agents and Agentic AI)
4. Design Thinker
5. AI General User (many existing jobs fall under this category—e.g., personalized content curation like reels)

It now seems that investments and talent are aligning in this direction.

If we map qualities and skills to these five types:
• Entrepreneur – Risk appetite and a problem-solving mindset through product or service innovation
• AI Trainer/Tuner – Mathematical and statistical intelligence, computational power, broad domain understanding, and mastery of algorithms
• Prompt Engineer – Use-case orientation and the ability to apply AI in real-world contexts
• Design Thinker – Empathy combined with experiential innovation (balancing business affordability, human desirability, and technical feasibility)
• AI User – Anyone who uses AI tools in daily life (e.g., customized content, virtual assistants, etc.)

Every student should reflect on their own strengths and align with one of these types during their UG/PG journey. Doing so can enhance both employability and sustainability in their career.

Which type are you?

Ravi Saripalle

Why Your Quiet Colleague Might Be the Most Influential?

Dear Friends,

We all share a popular belief — myself included — that people who are widely known must be great. Traditionally, we tend to think that if many people know you, you are popular and therefore successful. Most of us think this way. Do you?

If someone has a lot of followers on Instagram or Facebook, we often consider them influential. Do you agree with this statement? Initially, I did — but eventually, I realized I was mistaken. It turns out that assumption may not be entirely true. A compelling article challenges this theory.

Science Advances (a journal with an impact factor of 11.7) published a fascinating study that asks a fundamental question: “Who is more popular — the one with the most followers or the one with deep network knowledge?” Let me explain with an example.

Imagine two of your colleagues. One is outgoing and seems to have influence with senior management. The other is more reserved but has a strong grasp of the internal system — who knows whom, who trusts whom, and so on. Who would you consider more influential?

According to the article:
• Highest number of followers = popularity
• Deep understanding of social connections = influence

Popularity may open doors, but social insight helps you build the house.

So how did they prove this?

The study tracked 187 first-year university students over an academic year to understand how individuals gain social influence. The researchers discovered that those who ultimately became the most influential were not the ones with the most friends, but those who had early and accurate insight into how their peers were connected — the overall structure of the social network. Simply knowing many people, or being aware of individual friendships, did not predict influence. As the network stabilized over time, these insightful individuals further deepened their understanding of social ties.

When I reflect on this, it makes perfect sense. In fact, this is at the heart of marketing, isn’t it?

At Wipro, we had the concept of Hunters and Farmers in our sales structure. The hunter’s job was to identify new leads, while the farmer would deepen engagement within an existing account to generate more revenue. In both roles, success depended on influence — specifically, understanding the customer's internal network and knowing who the decision-makers were. It was never about how many people you knew, but how well you understood the ecosystem and managed relationships.

Sales and marketing can't be taught entirely in a classroom. You learn the fundamentals through instruction, yes — but true learning happens on the field.

On a lighter note, in the old days, almost every family had that one aunt or uncle who knew everything about everyone — who was getting married, who had health problems, what the latest gossip was. That person was the “hub” of the family network. Ironically, many of those uncles and aunts are now lost in Instagram reels and slowly losing their influencer status!

So, let me ask you:

Are you popular, or are you an influencer in your family or social network?

Ravi Saripalle

Instinct to Survive: Lessons from a Trapped Tiger

Dear Friends,

Can you imagine a situation where you and your deadliest enemy both got placed in the same coupe in a first-class railway bogie? You both have to travel for 3 days. What would be your immediate reaction? Will you look at each other’s faces? Will you quarrel? Or will you go to the extent of fighting each other? Or do you both ignore each other until you reach your destination? Definitely, it is the most uncomfortable situation, right?

In such a situation, what if you are offered some good food by your neighbour? Will you eat happily, burying the rivalry or suspicion? Or eat with hesitation? Or reject it totally? Unless we experience such a situation, we may not be able to answer correctly.

However, animals behave differently. A few days back, a little bird got stuck on our balcony. It was barely able to fly. At a distance, the mother kept watching but couldn’t enter due to the parapet wall. It took a while. My son prepared a decent enclosure and started feeding it. Surprisingly, it did not eat, despite being given the right food. It was also unable to make any sound. After some time, he took the enclosure to the garden and dropped her near a plant, guarding her from predators. Suddenly, a few of her relatives came and pushed her forcefully. She gained confidence and flew away with them.

You might be wondering — what is so great about this story?

Recently, an incident took place in Kadukkkachiy in Idukki, Kerala. A tiger and a dog were stuck in a pit at a cardamom plantation (The Hindu). Everybody wondered why the tiger did not kill the dog — after all, they were barely a foot apart in a 10-ft-deep pit. It was an easy prey for the tiger. A DFO and a wildlife expert revealed something new. Normally, tigers do not attack or ambush inside traps. When dogs chase tigers, the tiger usually escapes. Generally, we think the other way around. However, experts say, “Instinct was to survive, not to kill.” This is animal dharma.

Many life lessons and management theories can be drawn from this. Today, the whole world is experiencing various phenomena — wars, famine, natural disasters, health outbreaks, human trafficking, slavery, and many more unwanted and undesired conditions. A few are man-made, while a few are natural. We can avoid man-made disasters and collaboratively and collectively handle natural ones.

What is one lesson we can learn from these tigers? The instinct is to survive, not to kill. We are all people trapped on this big planet. Maybe we need the same instinct — to survive. I’m sure everyone will have their own reason. At least, we can reduce the friction. Human life is so short. We send best wishes to family members, greet each other — and within hours, we’re not sure whether we’ll return safely or not. In the process, we build great dreams, make big claims, and create all kinds of noise. But where is the guarantee that our claim will be fulfilled in our own eyes?

Nature’s lessons are always great. They teach us philosophy, science, engineering, architecture, and much more. I think some universities should start a bachelor’s program exclusively on “Bachelor's in Nature Understanding.” It should be a transdisciplinary subject covering all philosophies.

What does your instinct say?

Ravi Saripalle