Seven people were killed when a hostel building collapsed in Delhi. According to reports, a load bearing wall had allegedly been removed while four additional floors were being constructed. Having been closely connected with the building industry, I have often watched people stare thoughtfully at a wall and say, “Why…
India’s Angry Uncles..!
Our Prime Minister recently at a college gathering where he had been invited to speak, compared those who constantly question his government to naraaz fufas, the permanently upset uncles at a family gathering. I immediately imagined one such Indian gathering where an uncle sat in a corner wearing the expression…
Homeopaths Turn Allopaths..!
I read with a shudder that Maharashtra is allowing homeopaths who complete a one year course in modern pharmacology to prescribe certain allopathic medicines. What an extraordinary shortcut! Perhaps tomorrow, after attending a weekend workshop, I will be permitted to fly an aircraft. I have travelled frequently, watched pilots entering…
Afraid of Smart Glasses…!
The other day, a gentleman stared suspiciously at my spectacles. “Bob, are you wearing smart glasses?” “No,” I replied. “Thank goodness,” he whispered. “Then I had better say whatever I want before you buy a pair.” I laughed, but later pondered his reaction. What was he planning to say that…
Just Speak the Word…!
I watched politicians and activists gathering around the tiny Christian community in India, offering sympathy, support and some splendid speeches. “We are with you,” they declared. I smiled, because politicians who say they are with you usually mean they hope you will soon be with them, preferably inside a polling…
The Emperor Has No Chest..!
“Hey,” whispered the white bearded village chief to his bald deputy as they stood at the edge of their village, “do you think my fifty-six-inch chest is growing smaller?” The bald deputy stared carefully at his leader. “It is difficult to say, Chief,” he replied. “You are wearing jacket over…
Bringing Oilcans to India..!
Had dinner with a top corporate leader of a multinational company in New York last night, and during our conversation I asked him a question that I thought would make me feel proud. “Why are you not investing in India?” I asked. I expected him to look embarrassed and admit…
Don’t Pull Down the Props..!
As a youngster, I loved wandering into religious groups and debating with their leaders. I was not always searching for truth. Quite often, I was searching for an audience. One day, after I had delivered what I considered a brilliant argument against some religious belief, a boy older than me…
New York and the RSS Chief…!
I am in New York at the moment, and so is RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Mr Bhagwat stood before an American audience and spoke beautifully about unity through diversity. He declared that different religions may follow different paths, but humanity remains one. He said diversity must be accepted, respected and…
The British Are Coming Back..!
“The British are coming back! The British are coming back!” The frightened cry travels through villages, election meetings and television studios. “Where are they?” asks an alarmed citizen. “Have their ships entered Mumbai harbour?” “No!” “Have British soldiers landed?” “No!” “Has the Queen returned?” “She is dead.” “Then who is…
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.