I remember the first time I told my daughter a bedtime story. She was a little over two and not in the mood to sleep one night. Jungle Book was the ideal story since she loved animals. Her curiosity was piqued as I narrated the adventures of Mowgli. When I got to Sher Khan and “roared”, she burrowed closer to…
While driving through my neighborhood a few months ago, I happened to pass a house that had a number of items placed on its driveway with an accompanying “Free” sign. There were the usual knickknacks – items once bought but of no interest to the owner now. What caught my eye, however, was the sizable pile of books. As I…
On this Teacher’s Day, I would like to honor a teacher whose classes I have not attended but from whom I have learned a lot throughout my life and still continue to do so. I had originally posted this on Facebook in September 2016. September 5th is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India. It commemorates the birthday of Dr Sarvepalli…
Long before Arnab Goswami screamed his opinion on Republic TV, long before cricketers such as Dhoni and Tendulkar touted myriad products on TV, long before another mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo sparred on yet another teary soap-opera spinoff and if you can dare imagine, long before the dirge that served as Doordarshan’s signature tune ushered in the day’s program with an…
The world of sport has given us some iconic images that remain indelibly etched in our minds. Kapil Dev, captain of the victorious Indian cricket team, holding aloft the Prudential Cup on June 25th, 1983 is one such image. India had won just one match previously in the last two editions of the world cup and not even their most…
The relief marking the end of my final exams in summer would give way to anticipation of my annual trip to Bombay. I would travel by the Udyan Express that would reach Bombay at 7:00 am in the morning. I would peer out of the window as the train pulled into the Dadar Railway Station and as the train slowly…
“Rest in next” was the tag line with which my paternal grandfather ended some of his postcards. He lived in Ankola near Karwar on the Western Coast of India. My dad received letters from him on a monthly basis. The letters were sent to acknowledge the receipt of a money order that my dad sent him each month and there…
Once in a while, I come across a book that captivates me. The author is able to draw me into his or her world and take me along on a journey in which I am an interested and intrigued companion. Homer (Sonny) Hickham Jr.’s memoirs titled “Rocket Boys” is one such book and I just finished reading it last night.…
“Don’t expect me to get married to my High School!”, said my daughter in a moment of teenage angst. “Why do you like your school so much anyway?” Why Indeed? Could it have been that imposing building that I beheld in awe as I entered its portals the very first time? The same magnificent building that I look back with…
“Just make sure you pick up a winter sport, like skiing or snow-shoeing, if not you will get cabin fever!” said the Verizon tech as he was setting up the internet connection in our rental condo. I had just moved up from Florida and the tech was giving me advice on how to handle the New England winters. My previous…