My mother's the deeply religious one in a family of atheists - my father and I. I wish people who sell a hardline ideology in the name of religion could read this. (translation below)

Translation for those unable to read Bengali:

"I was admitted to LNJP about 5 or 6 days ago. I was so deeply ill that I didn't notice the strains of azaan wafting in from a local mosque at sunrise and sunset. Now that I do, I feel at peace as my system resonates with the prayer"

"And with it, the god I worship becomes indistinguishable from theirs. If humanity is the last word then what is religion? All night both Hindu and Muslim staff serve patients whose religion they do not know."

"Leaves us with a lot to ponder, but we can't do that until our consciousness allows us."

Side note: She was nearly going into cardiac arrest after her oxygen dropped to 32 literally 7 days ago. Even now she's on oxygen constantly. I wish she'd rest a bit.

This woman is exasperating. And before you ask, no, my dad and I do not have the courage to oppose her. (We're not that big fools). Over the years we've counselled her on the follies of religion, but it falls on deaf ears. We give her a wide berth and turn up only at prasad time.

She's secular in a way that is empathetic and humanitarian and believes in not upsetting gods of any religion. I know, but it's too late to change and needless to.