When our maid goes on leave during Ganpati, she usually gets a replacement and it was during one of those times, I found myself sneezing away to glory. The culprit is generally house dust, and I wondered where such dust could be springing from, till I gently nudged my big…
Robert Clements is a journalist and newspaper columnist. With an estimated 6 million readership, his column, 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, Punjabi and Urdu.
Joyless Face of the Billionaire..!
As I hear about this or that billionaire, becoming the richest or the second richest man, or making it to the Fortune 500 list, I wonder whether they ever enjoy the happiness their wealth should give them? I’ve never seen joy on their faces! Yes, there’s the fixed plastic smile…
The Royal Ghost and The Governor..!
With all the skirmishes going on between the governors of the different states, especially those ruled by the opposition and the elected representatives, it wasn’t too much of a surprise when one of them received a call, late at night. “Hello!” said the Governor, weary with a battle he had…
Simple, Soothing, Strengthening..!
More than a year ago, it was sad seeing my huge German-Shepherd dog, whimpering in pain. His ear had got infected, so with cotton swabs, antiseptic cream and warm water in a plastic mug, I slowly and laboriously started cleaning it, holding his head lovingly against me, before putting soothing…
Only Wheel for Indian Roads..!
The five tyre manufacturers, one an American, an Englishman, a German, a Frenchman and a Japanese sat huddled together in a hotel in Mumbai looking quite lost and confused. “Friends,” said the American, “we are gathered here today to pool our ideas to overcome this terrible crisis that has hit…
A Silly, Ungrateful People..!
“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…
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.