Been watchin’ an old video of the Chinese Olympic opening night held over a decade ago, and been gazing spellbound at them eleven thousand sports people from all over the world, stampin’ their footprints on huge parchment paper at Beijing. Remarkable idea what? Maybe huh, just maybe years later they…
Inflation and a Hundred Rupee Note..!
I opened the morning paper and frowned as I read headlines about inflation in India, “This is ridiculous!” I muttered to myself. “What is dad?” “This inflation business, there’s no inflation, but because there’s no news, papers make a big hullabaloo about prices going up, scaring everybody, especially voters before…
The Fake from Charleston..!
It was at the historic city of Charleston I found the flute. I’d wandered into one of the oldest markets in the USA, the City Market, it’s old brick walls and tiled roof pouted history to all who ventured in. But my eyes were fixed on the flute shop. Most…
As Is Where Is Condition..!
In many an auction you hear the auctioneer offering some particular piece in an ‘as is where is condition’! Which means that it is being sold in its current condition, whatever this condition happens to be. But do we accept people as they are? Do we take our husbands as…
Passion, It’s Free..!
If today’s column has come in a little late, t’was because I was in the plane flying home from New York. And even as I flew something that stands out vividly in that city is it’s passion! A passion for enjoying work with subways and roads filled with millionaires and…
Pardoning is a Bigger Revenge..!
Some years ago I read how an Indian sentenced to death by UAE’s Supreme Court for murdering a girl had been pardoned by the victim’s parents! As a father of two daughters I can only look at such an act of mercy as beyond human understanding, divine and holy. I…
An Excitingly Still New Year..!
And as the New Year dawned this morning, there was I am sure a missing feeling for the partying and fun and revelry that has been banned. The rich must have missed paying exorbitant rates to go to five star hotels and others to terrace parties. Out on the streets…
Mischief In Her Eyes..!
She was seventy, with mischief in her eyes! She’d always had mischief in those eyes of hers, as bubbling teen, those eyes beguiling her host of friends with their naughtiness, enticing young men to stray close, then mesmerizing them forever that they like petrified rock, never moved afar again from…
It’s Not Bad, ’tis Good…!
Quite often as a newspaper columnist I forget that instead of concentrating on the dim side of situations, to remind my readers, things are also bright and beautiful! Yes, they are! A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing: ‘Last year, I…
Not Just a Facelift..!
This is a story of a young man who had everything; luxurious home, cars plus lots of money, but try as he might he couldn’t get the girl he loved. “You’re not good looking enough for her,” said his friends. “Oh looks,” said the young man haughtily as he went…
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.