“You are an ungrateful people!” I shout, as bruised, battered and beaten, a tired people stare back at me: “We can’t take being pushed, pulled and pummeled every moment of the day!” cry the people, “Either it’s a lynching mob stringing up someone, or government agencies putting people in jail!…
Votes for a Great Indian Wedding..!
With Rahul’s name again being proposed to lead the Congress, most everyone feel it is time Rahul has a wife campaigning by his side. I decided in my imagination to visit the party headquarters. “We have decided to tackle this problem head on,” said a party worker grimly, “and have…
A New Parliament Building
‘.. the new building….will cost Rs 970 crore. It would replace the existing colonial structure..’.. Times of India My friend, a building contractor rushed to my home yelling, “I am going to be a rich man, I may be awarded the contract to build a bigger Parliament House!” “Why?” I…
The Stray Cat and Forgiveness..!
Somewhere in a Mumbai suburban housing colony, a stray cat which was being fed by an animal lover, was taken out of the society by a person who did not love animals and dumped at a market. The lady who fed the poor cats and dogs was a religious person…
An Indian Heaven..!
Even as our rupee plunges against the dollar and fuel prices rise, gather yourself and don’t go down. Every country at some point or other goes through such chaos, and comes out when her people gird themselves and stand firm. Yet, even as you do that, remember the poor. They…
Crossing Floors, Switching Sides..!
Not just me, but most of the world is astonished as our elected representatives switch sides! Logically, how can they do this? They’ve been elected by voters voting for a particular party and its ideology, and the representative is the collective voice of those same people, and cannot have an…
Reservations For All..!
With so many advantages for those who claim reservations in our country, many forward class citizens are trying to certify themselves as backward and the day is coming when the whole nation may be known as a reserved country! The philosopher cum astrologer cum godman rubbed his hands with glee…
Adjust Your Sails..!
I notice that on certain mornings I get up worried, “Worried about what?” I ask myself and realize it is just a habit and most people get out of bed worried every morning! We are worried about ourselves, our jobs, children, health and just about everything, and a little later…
Go For It..!
I watched the family as they stood near the roller coaster ride. Each one bore different look. The teenage son looked at the cars coasting around with glee; he was just waiting, I could make out for his share of fun; the mother looked a little worried and the father…
Do We Need Reforms?
“Bob,” said an editor, “About these reforms our leaders keep talking about, find out if people want reforms or not.” “Of course we want reforms,” said Pandu the office peon, “I want editor sahib to be reformed. Today I have both ulcer and blood pressure, because editor sahib and you…
Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.