Some completely surrender to God and believe that everything happens for a reason. Some, take a better liking to science and its nuances of how we came into being. Success finds them both. CE spoke to Pradeep John, the TN weatherman and this is what he had to say...
Have you always been a believer?
I did not believe in God during my younger days. As I matured and grew old, I understood that we don’t control our lives. There are things that are beyond our understanding and reasoning. I struggled a lot after completing my engineering degree and then after MBA. I used to stand under the hot sun and give out pamphlets with details on opening stock broking accounts to people from IT parks. I used to feel that even I should have been working at an IT park. But when I look at where I am now, I see that He has lifted me to great heights.
Where do you see him?
He is everywhere. You can’t expect God to come directly and do all the help. He is among us. You can see these floods brought God among us when we see Chennai people helping others without caring about religion or caste. That is where I see him.
Do you believe in miracles? If so, what are your experiences?
My father was saved from a critical condition last year. He was sick and travelling by train. He was in a stage of delirium and train was stopped at midnight. My mom was alone crying with hardly a soul in Virudhachalam station. Luckily, three people came from nowhere, lifted my dad and took him to hospital. I am sure God had a role in saving him through those people.
Have you visited any pilgrimage sites?
No, and I don’t plan to! I don’t believe that God can be found only in those exclusive sites.
What would you say to non-believers?
A day will come that will change them. What are you expecting? God will not knock on your door and help you directly. We see God in others. There is a famous saying in Bible. “Love your neighbour as yourself” I hope all believers follow this.