It may come as a surprise to many, as some leaders clamour for a national language, that both the US and also the UK have no national language. In fact, until the 19th century, the English language was not seen as a unifying force in the UK, as majorities in…
Become a Genius: Accept Imperfections..!
A writer arrived at a monastery to write a book about the master. “People say you are a genius. Are you?” he asked. “You might say so,” said the master none too modestly. “And what makes one a genius?” “The ability to recognize,” said the master. “Recognize what?” “The butterfly…
All Brawn, No Prawn..!
Just come back from a fishing trip! No, I didn’t have to go far, nor did I go to a lake or river. I needed no net or tackle. All I had was a spoon which I dipped into a pickle jar which said Prawn Pickle, and my spoon went…
Angry Words Spoken In Haste..!
Was listening to Neil Diamond singing, “Husbands and Wives” on my car radio, and heard his words, “Angry words spoken in haste, what a waste of two lives,” when I passed an area by the sea which has couples, sitting close together, holding hands, talking in whispers. And as I…
Bah! It’s Only the Pillion Rider..!
Gujarat exempts pillion riders from wearing helmet …Times of India Sept 11th ’Twas just over a month ago I rode pillion after over more than twenty-five years, on the back of a classmate’s bike. Twice I was nearly thrown off the bike, because the rider saw the pothole, whereas I…
The Excitement of Peace..!
Quite a contradiction isn’t it? How can peace ever be exciting? A few moments back, while pondering on what to write on, I felt something falling on my shoulder from a wall nearby, and as I looked to see whether someone had thrown a stone at me, I realized that…
Vikram’s Moon Landing..!
What did you think of our attempt to land on the moon? Disappointed? Or did you feel we are not big enough to attempt something so huge? I’m going to quote from my own book DARE, which is to be launched in a month. The chapter I’m quoting from is…
Leave My Home Alone..!
Just behind my home, a giant peepul tree spreads its branches majestically around my house, and sitting beneath its whispering leaves every morning sipping my coffee, I watch my friends, the mynah couple, the crows with their cawing son Babu and squirrels who play hide and seek around my feet….
Mr or Ms Know All..!
Very often, we come across people who know everything, at least that’s what they presume: These highly blessed know alls act and speak like walky- talky Encyclopedia Britannicas. Such people love to interrupt every conversation, and with not even a ‘I beg your pardon’ wax eloquent on subjects they know…
India, You Are Being Watched..!
Yes India, you are being watched by the rest of the world. You are being watched by neighbours, many of whom have never tasted democracy, many who have suffered under military rule and dictatorships! You are being watched by China, who have ruthlessly cracked down on dissidents and protestors, mowing…
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.