A friend came to me with a brilliant idea which required him resigning from his job and setting up a business. The scheme seemed good, and it was some years later I met him and found him still plodding on in his old job. “What happened?” I asked, “I thought…
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.
Singing In the Kitchen..!
The year is nearly done. Most of us are disappointed with it, even as we feel a little older, very dejected, or that there were things we could have done better! And suddenly I can hear my late mother sing a song, she loved to sing, “Count your many blessings,…
My Possessive Best Friend…!
“You are quite possessive you know,” I said looking squarely at my best friend. “I have to be Bob, you’ve got too many friends I don’t approve of,” said my best friend with a smile. “You don’t approve of most of my friends,” I complained. “You don’t need them when…
Distractions and Mr and Mrs Woodpecker..!
The best part of my day, I believe, are my mornings, when after my one hour mandatory walk, I sit with a jug of freshly brewed coffee, my newspaper, a good book, my Bible and spend time enjoying a bit of each, even as I imbibe the sights and sounds…
I Want A Refund..!
Something I do, when hard pressed for a topic to write on is to wade into conversations happening in the numerous WhatsApp groups, I have been graciously been put into. There was one which was hosting an interesting international webinar, which I couldn’t attend because of my writer’s workshop later…
Just a Little Trek..!
A couple of years ago while traveling in scenic Austria, I got down from the car and sat by the side of a mountain besides a flowing brook. It was restful and peaceful and I was nearly lulled to sleep by the sound of the water. In a while I…
National Mood Swings..!
The erratic swinging of the stock market makes headlines every day. They reflect the mood of the nation. Upswing-happy! Downswing-gloomy! Why the upswing today? Because a Covid vaccine manufacturer had managed to get past the rigid health regulatory controls, and also that foreign investors had decided to invest in India….
Live Living Rooms..!
There was once a time not too long ago when the living room of a home reflected the kind of people living it; not how much money they possessed but how much warmth existed within. You could sink into an inviting easy chair and be sure moments later your host…
The Reluctant Christmas Tree..!
“Dad!’ asked my younger one, “Should we buy a Christmas tree?” “No,” I said, “There’s some in the garden, have a look at them!” ‘There’s two!” she said, and giggled, ‘but they are more or less apologies for trees. One looks like it’s wearing a mini skirt, with branches coming…
Sweet Revenge…!
The wizened old lady, sat with a copy of the newspaper in her wrinkled hands and studied the obituary columns intently. “He, he, he,” she suddenly giggled to herself, “she’s dead, she’s dead. Oh, thank you, Lord, you’ve done it again!” “Who is it mom?” shouted a voice from inside…
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.