One Sunday morning in church, I felt like a racehorse with an iron yoke on my shoulders. I wanted to shout to the Lord, to sing out, to cry out the words in the hymn that we were trudging through like defeated soldiers returning from a lost war, but thought…
Go Slow Drivers Association..!
In India, you can build the broadest roads, but it’s such a waste as I found out as three trucks drove abreast on a highway with my poor car unable to overtake, “I’m sure there’s a plot to keep us slow!” I thought and then imagined a ‘Go Slow Driver’s…
Dragged Twelve Kilometres..!
On New Year’s Eve, most cities in our country have the highest number of policemen on duty. Because this is one night they are supposed to really work, and that’s not about ‘solving’ a crime, but about ‘preventing’ one. To prevent, police have to depend on eyes, ears and instinct!…
Much Ado About Almost Nothing..!
It was a strange ride back home one Sunday. The daughters were furious and so was their father; me. Something had happened that we all felt was unfair. “I’ve been insulted,” said my eldest. “It’s not fair,” said my younger one. “I’m going to blast those people tomorrow,” I said…
One Broken Tile..!
It could have either been a careless mason, or that the area under the tile was crumbling and had to be broken. And so, broken it was. Not just the area beneath the tile, but the tile also. The mason did his job, plastered the area underneath that needed reinforcing…
How to Choose a Contractor..!
The doorbell rang and the watchman outside gave me a smart salute and handed me a piece of paper to sign, ‘There is a managing committee meeting in the society office sir,’ he said. ‘Secretary sahib wants you to come down immediately.’ I swore to myself as I signed the…
Trust and the Glass Bowl..!
A month or two ago I visited the little home in which I grew up. It was locked, but I found a window open and delicately placing my phone inside, took a picture of a shelf. The shelf was where a little glass bowl used to lie. I don’t remember…
Burning the Old Man..!
“What are you doing?” I gasped as I saw the old man on fire just before midnight of the old year.. “Burning the Old Man!” said the group of youngsters. “Help!” shouted the old man, as the flames reached his beard. “Ha, ha, ha!” shouted the boys with glee, and…
New Year and the Vanishing Sheriff..!
Some of the saddest incidents that took place in the US, were blacks being lynched! Artist sketches of the macabre event showed terror on their faces and diametrically opposite expressions on the faces of those who’d decided to string him up. The poor man knew there was nothing he could…
They Will Vote for Me Anyway…!
“Can you imagine,” said the elected representative, poking a fat finger into my ribs, “the people want a new bus terminus.” “Yes,” I said, “I’ve heard about that.” “What do we need a bus terminus for,” he said, “when we have an international airport here.” “Yes,” I said again. “Our…
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.