I was in Jodhpur for a wedding two years ago, and decided that instead of seeing the forts and palaces and jewelry and other artifacts, that google so kindly had pictures of, I would go around meeting the locals, and I did just that, including a delightful conversation with three…
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.
Do You See A Healed Ear?
It was sad seeing my huge German-Shepherd dog, whimpering in pain. His ear had got infected, so with cotton swab, antiseptic cream and warm water in plastic mug, I slowly and laboriously started cleaning it, holding his head lovingly against me, before putting soothing medication, and adding a few drops…
Killing Love..!
Suddenly love has turned to hate in our country, with violent terms like ‘love-jihad’ on everyone’s lips. Men are being put into prisons for falling in love and married couples separated! Horrified, I just saw a video of ruffians beating up a couple who were sitting together in a park!…
Tiptoeing Into 2021..!
And as news of Covid mutating spread, countries closing borders, ours banning flights, curfews implemented, fear gripped my heart, and with timid steps, I passed the sentry at the gate of time into the New Year! “What’s with the slow walk Bob?” he called out genially, ’twas one with bounce…
Hush..!
*Hush!* An angel whispered into my ear, ‘Bob tell your friends this brand new year, That if they get on their knees and pray, God will handle woes that come their way.’ Dear friend, even as I greet you this year, May this assurance bring you good cheer! That all…
Joyful Strains for A Dying Year..!
And as the year comes to an end I look around and see my bamboo flute stretched out on the grand piano. I pick it up and place my mouth tenderly against the unpolished bamboo hole, and then from the bamboo shoot pours out my soul. My tune is sad…
Jabbering about the Jab..!
It was my body talking and I thought I’d listen to the outbursts coming from different parts of me; my feet and shoulders, arms and palms, all having an argument. “I can’t figure out why you should get the vaccine jab!” whined my feet to my upper arm, “We’ve all…
Dare to Get Up..!
I used to love watching boxing matches, especially when they were on the silver screen and you know what the outcome is going to be: Dishum, dishum, dishum, dishum; one shot after another. You shudder as the hero finally gets knocked down. Then you wait with baited breath, knowing something…
Winning Gold..!
It was on Christmas Day, I drove out for lunch after many months, and found roads not just dug up everywhere but found many had been kept as permanent dugouts for months! I wondered whether in this period of lockdown, when other athletic events and games had been kept in…
A Feather for the Baby..!
T’was the habit of Mr Sparrow to always build his nest with straw from the stable. “You clever man!” chirped Mrs Sparrow happily, “While all dem other birds go roun’ searchin’ for straw you jes’ sort of walk into dat stable and grab a beakfull to build our house!” And…
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.