NEW DELHI | March 2, 2026 – The Kamladevi Complex at the India International Centre (IIC) today played host to a rare convergence of faith, intellect, and global leadership for the launch of “Seeking The Infinite,” a spiritual odyssey authored by Yakub Mathew.
The event, held over High Tea, marked the unveiling of a visually stunning and philosophically profound chronicle of the Maha Kumbh Mela—an extraordinary pilgrimage that occurs only once every 144 years. What began as a 60th birthday journey for Mathew, a prominent New York-based financial leader, and his wife Shilpa, evolved into a collective inquiry into the nature of consciousness featuring insights from over 50 global thought leaders.
A Confluence of Diverse Voices: A Living Mosaic of Faith and Harmony
The launch functioned as a “living laboratory” of interfaith dialogue, proving that beneath disparate traditions lies a singular, universal truth. The distinguished panel mirrored the book’s theme of universal unity:
- Shri Jagdeep Dhankar (Chief Guest): Lauded the work as a “bridge between Bharat’s ancient soul and the modern seeker.” He remarked that the book captures the “Universal Ganga,” suggesting that the wisdom of the Kumbh belongs not to one religion, but to the global human consciousness, noting that Mathew captures the “eternal Ganga of the human spirit.”
- Haji Syed Salman Chishty (Dargah Ajmer Sharif): Representing the 26th generation of Sufi custodians, he described the Kumbh as a “mirror to Sufism.” He highlighted the “oneness” shared between the Ganga’s waters and the Sufi heart, where the message of unconditional love finds its counterpart in the sacred dips of pilgrims.
- Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati (Parmarth Niketan): A Stanford-educated monastic, she emphasized the book’s role in igniting Divine Shakti. She described the river as a connector of souls from West to East, calling the practice of “oneness” the most urgent need of our time.
- Professor Dr. Dinesh Singh: Provided a unique intellectual perspective on the intersection of mathematical logic and spiritual infinity.
- Neelima Dalmia Adhar: Bestselling author of Father Dearest: The Life and Times of R.K. Dalmia, The Merchants of Death and The Secret Diary of Kasturba ; Neelima’s father was the renowned Marwari industrialist, Ramkrishna Dalmia who owned The Times of India ; Her mother, Dinesh Nandini Dalmia, was an eminent Hindi poetess and novelist and a Padma Bhushan awardee.
About the Book: “Seeking The Infinite”
Authored by Yakub Mathew, a Syrian Christian from Kerala and a veteran of the global banking elite (HSBC, Citi, Wells Fargo), the book transcends the format of a traditional travelogue. It serves as an interfaith manifesto and a “spiritual guidepost” that weaves together:
- High-Art Photography: Vivid imagery capturing the scale and soul of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
- Global Reflections: Intimate insights from 19 original pilgrims and over 50 luminaries, including royals, scholars, and entrepreneurs.
- Philosophical Depth: A challenge to the narrative of division, focusing on the universal questions: Who am I? and What is my purpose?
“In the waters of the Ganga, our labels—Christian, Muslim, Hindu—remained on the shore,” said Yakub Mathew during the launch. “What entered the river was simply the human souls seeking the infinite.”
Event Highlights
The proceedings were expertly moderated by Dilip Cherian, India’s “Image Guru,” with Lady Kishwar Desai serving as the Master of Ceremonies. Lady Desai noted the book’s profound potential to “mend cultural fractures” by documenting the confluence of faiths.
The gathering of over 300 dignitaries concluded with a collective call for interfaith harmony and a celebration of India’s enduring role as a spiritual beacon for the world.
Media Inquiries:
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Email: yakub.shilpa@gmail.com
“The Infinite is not a place to be but a truth to remember, that within you lies a horizon without end.” — Yakub Mathew