The former Iit Bombay, Gauranga Das, and the CEO of Google Sundar Pichai can share a similar academic pedigree, but their life trips could not be more different. While Pichai runs one of the most powerful technological companies in the world, Das has chosen the path of spiritual leadership as a monk in Iskcon. Their contrasting worlds collided at the India Global Forum 2025 in London, where Das told a frank conversation with Pichai.
By reflecting on their meeting, he noted that if Pichai sails in a technological environment with a strong constraint, his own life is focused on the release of stress thanks to spiritual practice, stressing the growing need to meet mental health in the digital era.
During the forum, DAS warned against the harmful effects of digital dependence on mental health. He has cited alarming statistics, saying that 230 million people worldwide are dependent on social media, 70% of Indian adolescents spending seven hours a day online. He pointed out that one in seven people suffer from the whole world of mental health problems, pointing excessive screen time as a key factor. This echoes an increasing concern concerning the psychological impacts of the digital era.
Gauranga DAS’s comments recalled the potential advantages of spiritual practices in the attenuation of stress. The public reacted positively to his ideas, because he underlined a transition from digital dependence to spiritual empowerment. His role in the preservation of Vedic Wisdom through the Bhaktifanta Research Center and his written works, “Art of Resilience” and “Art of Focus”, illustrate his dedication to the promotion of mental well-being by spiritual means.
The meeting between Das and Pichai also underlined the striking contrast in their lifestyle. While Pichai sails in the world of technology at a rapid rhythm, the spiritual path of Das offers a different perspective on stress management. His comment according to which “Google creates stress”, juxtaposed to its own stress -free life with “God”, resonated strongly with the participants of the forum, highlighting the way different choices can lead to various degrees of mental peace.
Overall, the address of Gauranga Das at the Global Forum of India stressed the importance of integrating spirituality into daily life as a counterweight to the pressures of modern technology. His perspective invites you to reflect on how individuals can find harmony between technological progress and mental well-being, an increasingly relevant conversation in the digital age today.
