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Who is Barry Nirmal ?

There is more to Barry Nirmal than just a middle class man wanting to serve the community. Born in India, he was not raised in a rich family that could afford his college education and send him to America to make something of himself.

Nirmal was born in a Hindu Brahmin family in a very backward village in Bihar, which unfortunately is one of the most backward states in India. His village did not have (and still does not have) basic amenities such as clean water, or electricity. His father died when Nirmal was twelve, leaving him with a mother of fifth grade education and three younger siblings. Had Nirmal stayed in his isolated village, he would have probably remained there for the rest of his life. Education and a lot of hard work have a way of fixing that cycle.

Talking about hard work, he burnt midnight oil to gain admission into one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in India, i.e. at IIT Kharagpur, and then he continued on to America to obtain his masters degree. Thus Nirmal obtained the educational foundations he needed to survive and prosper in this cold, cruel world. He never got tired of working hard and finally he would gain membership in "Who's Who in Information Technology", and other impressive titles.

When he found himself stuck in a quagmire in Canada, he moved to Saudi Arabia where he stayed for ten years, in two different cities, thus gaining financial stability as well as broadening and deepening his life experiences. By making some serious money in Saudi Arabia, and living frugally, he made himself really free, because as his favorite novelist, Fyodor Dostoevsky, says money is minted freedom.

Nirmal is an example of how someone with a strong determination and will power can gain modern education and advance himself in life despite being born in a poor family. He considers himself to be a self-made man. Though his friends have helped him greatly on occasion, he credits his own untiring efforts for all the successes he has obtained. For any failures be blames only himself for not adhering to the teachings of his Gurus.

Nirmal's Views on Religion

Barry Nirmal considers himself a Hindu, but a modern, rational and enlightened Hindu, not a dogmatic, superstitious one. He is devoted to Lord Krishna and to the Hare Krishna (ISKCON) movement. However, he does not follow some basic rules of the Hare Krishna movement like its prohibition of meat eating and intoxication. Barry Nirmal enjoys meat, but in his old age, he has reduced his intake of meat. He drinks but only moderately. In his opinion, one should not do anything about which one feels guilty. The essence of religion in his opinion lies in leading a moral life, and not in dogmas and rituals.

Nirmal admires the loving devotion to Lord Krishna (called Bhakti) that is practised by the devotees of the Hare Krishna movement. Click here to read his favorite book by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada about the faith of ISKCON (Hare Krishna) religion.

Nirmal is especially attracted to Lord Shiva and Shiva temples, and considers Shiva to be the ultimate symbol of renunciation and asceticisn. In his opinion, asceticism and renunciation are the essence of religion.

Barry Nirmal supports most Hindu sects even though he does not agree with all the principles of these sects. In his opinion, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist religions have a lot in common, In fact all religions have a lot in common with one another because they are all based on faith and dogmas. This is why Nirmal cautions people, especially young people, against being brainwashed by religious groups. Click here to read Nirmal's essay about the danger of brainwashing.

Nirmal opposes religious fanaticism and religious intolerance. He respects all peace loving, tolerant religions. He believes in the separation of state from church.

Nirmal's Benefactors

Being a self-made man does not mean that Nirmal is not indebted to anyone, or that no one helped him in his life.
  • He is indebted to his grandfather who recognized his merit and also the value of good education at a good institute and who, despite his financial difficulties, paid for his education at the world famous Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
  • He is indebted to the government of India for awarding him National Merit Scholarship throughout his five year engineering course,
  • He is indebted to a few good people like Mr. Bob Gordon of Toronto who treated him with love and affection when he was down on his luck,
  • He is grateful to all his friends who have helped him in various ways, throughtout his journey called life.

    Nirmal's Gurus

    In all worldly and practical matters, Nirmal follows the advice of Chanakya as given in Chanakya Niti. When he is meditative and spiritually inclined, he follows the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.

    Click here to visit Barry Nirmal's personal web site.
    Click here to send a message to Barry Nirmal

    Nirmal's achievements as Author

  • Nirmal is the author of six textbooks on programming technologies, all published by reputed US publishers like Prentice Hall, Inc. and John Wiley & Sons.
    Click here to read a list of his books.
  • Nirmal is the author of many technical articles published by Association for Systems Management, MVS Update and CICS Update.
  • Nirmal has written many essays about life and philosophy.
    Click here to read a list of his essays published on www.JNRI.net so that you can read any of his essays about life.

    Nirmal's achievements as Programmer and Systems Analyst

  • Nirmal was awarded membership in Who's Who in Information Technology. Click here to view awards won by Nirmal.


    Barry Nirmal in 1970 at the time of graduation with a Bachelor of Technology (Honors) from the world famous Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
    written by staff member of www.HinduTempleHouston.Net