It lies on my table; a piece of wood, actually a bamboo with holes in it. I pick it up, glance at it, nothing spectacular in its looks, nothing to talk about, actually, what’s there to talk of a dirty bamboo with holes all over? In fact other pieces of…
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.
Just a Gate..!
Many years ago in the Land of Andhor, there lived a mighty king who loved to do pleasing things for his subjects the people of Andhor! One day while holding court there came to him many wise men from his kingdom who pleaded with him that bandits and other robbers…
A Blood Red Rose..!
It was with a weak hello she answered the phone. “Rosy!” I asked, “May I write about you?” “What’s there to write about me Bob?” she asked, a smile in same feeble voice. “Plenty!” I said, and my mind went to the magnificent pots she coloured and which I said…
Your Silver Lining..!
This happened many years ago! The skies were dark and a heavy cloud hung over us as we drove on roads that echoed the darkness above. We were two writers in the car, my friend, whose first book published by a renowned publisher, which had been a runaway success, was…
You Cannot Escape Competition..!
Many believe that competition is bad, that life is meant to be peaceful and calm, sitting on a mountain, or playing golf! Gary Player for years was a great competitor in national and international golf tournaments. People constantly said to him, “I’d give anything if I could hit a golf…
Aunty Toto’s Positive Energy..!
Aunty Toto was not her real name. Her name was Mrs. Dubey, and she had every kind of problem that you could think of, resting on her shoulders. Her husband had left her, her children had married wrong, her grandchildren were a source of worry and finally she found that…
Politician Down a Hole..!
Quite often I hear of children tragically falling into a deep borewell! I mischievously wonder what would happen if a politician falls into a deep hole: “There’s somebody fallen into the hole?” shouts the politician’s PA to the TV station. “Who?” “A minister!” “Oh! Let him be, we have other events to…
Eight Dollar Days..!
It wasn’t too long ago that scowls and frowns greeted me when I entered a store abroad: Salesman at counter, shop owner and all the customers lifting their heads none too discretely, knew I’d come in just to browse, look at stuff, touch, sigh at price, maybe even venture to…
When You Are Questioned..!
“I have many questions,” she said as she sat in my car. It was raining heavily, and I had offered to drop her home. “Bob,” she said, “I read what you write, but I can’t subscribe to all your beliefs!” It was a long car journey as the rains beat…
Think and Grow Rich..!
“Today our youth are so focused!” said a father of one of the youth to me proudly. “Focused on what?” I asked. “On what they want to do in life! How much money they want to make, and where they want to reach!” said the father looking at his son…
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.