Raja (Arasa) Ratnam, author of The Dance of Destiny 

An 80-year old Australian, born in British Malaya of Ceylonese parents. Educated by the British, as well as classical writers like Dickens. A metaphysical Hindu and freethinker in matters religious. Also a political orphan, being a communitarian small-l liberal.

Has had a highly interactive contributory life during 60 years in Australia, is spite of the overt racism of the White Australia era, and tribal discrimination at work in latter years. Achieved leadership positions in civil society; and awarded a Meritorious Service Award by his trade union.

In his capacity as national president of Australian Rostrum (akin to Toastmasters), has lunched with the Governor-General of Australia; shared the head table as guest speaker with two State Governors; and consulted senior representatives of State government agencies, major corporations and ethnic community organisations on government policies. That is, in spite of being rebuffed by senior managements for entry into the Senior  Executive Service, he was able to make a sufficient contribution to his adopted nation.

Because of major disasters early in his life, and a proclivity to fall into holes which were not there, he began to ask himself about the determinants of human life. He concludes that we do indeed have free will, but that our actions in our past lives influence the major events of our current lives. The travails of his current life lead him to offer a spiritual path for all mankind.

He is the author of three books and a number of articles on multiculturalism and associated subjects such as citizenship, refugee entry, and national identity. His repeated effort is the creation of one people out of the diversity of ethno-cultural origins found in the newly-created immigrant-fed nations. His ultimate aim is the universal recognition that we humans are the products of the universal Creator; and that, as such, we are automatically bonded to one another, and thereby obligated to one another.