‘But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and…
A Nation that Needs Healing..!
Nelson Mandela taught the world a huge lesson on forgiveness when, emerging from prison after twenty- seven years and being elected president of South Africa, he asked his jailor to join him on the inauguration platform. He then asked Archbishop Desmond Tutu to head an official government panel, with a…
Human Error..!
Indian cricket, I had heard a few years ago, was against modern technology that would reduce human error when it comes to umpiring decisions! Howzat! They would prefer the men in white coats to remain on the field. They would prefer to see his spiraling finger declaring them out or…
Too Short or Too Fat..!
Quite often at different gatherings I meet people who tell me, “If I wasn’t sickly, I would have done well in life!” Or it could be, “I wish I was beautiful then I would have succeeded in whatever I put my hands to!” Or, “Do you know what it is…
When It Is My Own Car..!
Many decades ago my father, a businessman, decided to start exporting handicrafts to the USA. He went to the emporiums and shops which had the items, found out who the people were who were making it, and sent samples to the States. He was soon flooded with orders and asked…
Noise and the Waterfall..!
We are a noisy people. I remember going down to another city for a wedding, and staying with a friend, who had given me the best room in the house. A room with a sit out on the terrace with even a little waterfall to soothe your nerves especially when…
Forgive And Be Healthy..!
Let me tell you my dear readers that it is easy to write about certain issues, but quite often it is difficult to practice what you preach, and one area for me was forgiveness. One day a friend of mine, heard me angrily talking about someone who had done me…
Don’t Rust..!
The other day while singing ‘Abide With Me’ I felt the power of the lyric enveloping me completely. I returned home and wondered who it was who had composed such a powerful hymn. The little book I referred to told me it was Henry. F. Lyte, who lived between the…
Be Shy and Still Sell Well..!
It was at my cousin’s office in the business district of Mumbai decades ago that I met him. He was, according to my cousin, a star salesman, “Hear him Bob,” said my cousin, “He has the gift of the gab!” Which meant he could talk fast and easily because words…
Sunrise, Sunset..!
As my daughter left back for New York last month, my eyes were moist, was this ‘the little girl I carried?’ I wondered, and my mind went back a few years: All you fathers having daughters know that when they want something from dad, they suddenly become all child again….
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.