A few years ago I heard a long talk by a speaker about how hard work pays. “Do you have anything to add to that Bob?” asked the convener. “Yes,” I said, “If your eyes are not on your goal, all the hard work you put in, is a waste!”…
Robert Clements is a journalist and newspaper columnist. With an estimated 6 million readership, Bob’s Banter is published in over 30 newspapers and magazines in nearly every state in India, as well as in the top newspapers of Bangladesh, London and Dubai and is also translated into Hindi.
Laughter, Pain and Death..!
As you read this, I will be on my way to Pune for the funeral of my friend. A friend for over thirty-five years of my life. Even as I write this, I hear his baritone voice cracking a joke, and chuckling even before I did, “You laugh at your…
Are You Ready for Your Chapatti Lady?
Since I’m known as a guy who’s got a soft spot for animals, I get followed round a wee bit by these four- legged friendly canines, and sometimes have a hard time chasing them away when they get overzealous and try to nibble some part of my leg, fingers or…
Invest In Your Children..!
Today’s the day of the career dad and mom! Both work, both sometimes earn equal salaries, and both spend long hours away from home. “Why do you work such long hours?” I ask. “Bob, I want my kids to have a better life than I did,” is the reply I…
Puncture..!
The old man at the puncture shop, looked at me with quiet patience as I stood at his shop. “Quick!” I shouted, “get the puncture done! I have a busy day ahead!” He gave me another patient look, a quiet smile, and beckoned me to sit on the bench, next…
Naughty Abhinandan..!
It made delightful news to hear Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had been awarded the Vir Chakra! We all remember the video clip showing his capture in Pakistan, bloodied and roughed up, yet courageous and fearless. How, flying a highly inferior MIG-Bison fighter jet, he still managed to shoot down a…
Unfurling A Balanced Flag..!
I stood at attention as the strains of Jana Gana Mana ended, and the National Flag was unfurled. I watched as those around me walked away for their light refreshments, and then heard voices around me, “It’s not balanced!” “Yes sadly it isn’t!” said another familiar voice. “Of course it…
Be a Master Communicator..!
Today you and I communicate more than ever before, and through the mobile, social media, TV, radio and other ways we are breaking all transmission barriers. But, and, this is a big but, you and I are communicating but are we good communicators? Are you really able to communicate your…
Never Grow Old..!
While shopping the other day, I noticed I was paying more attention to the pavement I was walking on then the display in the shop windows. I was being so careful about slipping on the uneven tiles that I didn’t dare look up, “You’re growing old Bob,” I said to myself…
Nun Sacked for Owning a Car..!
“What wrong have I committed bishop?” “You own a car!” And that is the wrong a religious body feels an Indian nun has committed. Enough, to sack her! Having sat on a few boards, I see how wrongly we look at necessities and classify them as luxuries. I remember a…
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.
