by Shaju Mangalam, India
Reflections Inspired by Mohanji
A couple of months ago, as India faced one of its worst air traffic disruptions, we found ourselves stranded at the airport on our way to New Delhi. Amidst the confusion and fatigue, a seemingly ordinary moment dissolved into a profound contemplation.
While we dragged our wheeled luggage toward the gate, Mohanji, with his warm, unmistakable smile, posed a question that instantly shifted everything:
“Imagine a life without wheels!”
That simple remark opened up a universe of thought. He continued, “For the last forty years of my travels, whenever I pull my luggage, I often wonder—how would life function if there were no wheels? How complicated everything would become.”
Suddenly, those tiny, almost invisible suitcase wheels appeared monumental. They transformed from trivial conveniences into powerful symbols:
• The quiet comforts that sustain us every day,
• Technologies that make our lives effortless,
• And how rarely we pause to acknowledge either.
As we reflected further, the depth of this insight began to unfold. Modern life is built upon layers of comfort and efficiency, yet we glide through them unconscious of their value. The humble wheel—one of humanity’s earliest and most brilliant inventions—still supports our entire world: transportation, machinery, mobility… even our luggage.
And yet, the moment a wheel breaks or jams, everything collapses into inconvenience. A tiny failure creates disproportionate distress—sometimes even intimidation.
This idea felt even more relevant as we witnessed the chaos of the aviation meltdown. Technology has made life so smooth, so quick, so predictable that a single glitch can throw millions into turmoil.
The generations born after the millennium, raised in seamless convenience, may find it even harder when systems weaken or fail. Accustomed to instant results, they often struggle when confronted with the raw unpredictability of the real world.
What began as a gentle, casual comment from Mohanji unfolded into a powerful reminder:
Comfort is a blessing, but our dependence on it must never make us helpless.
Gratitude and awareness are as vital as innovation.
Mohanji also reminded us that wheels, like life itself, must be handled with care. If the wheel breaks, lifting a 30-kilogram bag becomes agony, and a journey that should be smooth becomes a burden. Many people treat their luggage roughly—throwing, dragging, and slamming it—forgetting that negligence shortens the life of the very thing that carries their load.
There was a time before wheeled baggage, when porters carried heavy loads on their backs—an era that provided livelihood to thousands. But as wheels replaced muscle, the porters disappeared from transport hubs. Technology not only improved mobility but also erased certain forms of physical employability. We have lived both eras—and that vantage point allows us to appreciate the magnitude of this simple shift.
Look deeper, and the wheel becomes a metaphor for life:
1. A small, efficient wheel—handled wisely—can transform mobility.
2. When that wheel fails, chaos takes over.
3. Comfort often blinds us to its own importance.
4. Life too has wheels—relationships, opportunities, health, discipline. Handle them with care, and the journey flows.
A tiny wheel… yet a vast lesson. What seemed like a simple observation opened into layers of meaning—practical, philosophical, and profoundly human. A gentle question, a quiet moment, and a universe of insight.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 8th February 2026
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