Life of Pi Part 1, Chapter 20 Quotes

Life of Pi Part 1, Chapter 20 Quotes

How we cite the quotes:
Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote 1

His name was Satish Kumar. These are common names in Tamil Nadu, so the coincidence is not so remarkable. Still, it pleased me that this pious baker, as plain as a shadow and of solid health, and the Communist biology teacher and science devotee, the walking mountain on stilts, sadly afflicted with polio in his childhood, carried the same name. [...]. Mr. and Mr. Kumar were the prophets of my Indian youth. (1.20.2)

In yet another example where Pi equates religion and science, the biology teacher and the Muslim holy man have the same name. Why is it wondrous and unexpected for an Indian boy from Tamil Nadu to have a Muslim and a biologist as the prophets of his youth? Is there anything odd about that? Shouldn't Pi at least have a Hindu teacher as one of his prophets?