As I look at those who raise their hands in worship in a church, temple or masjid, I realize for me my soul lifts up in praise to my Maker and Creator at moments when I view or hear beauty in creativity! I saw so much of this ecstatic worship…
Look! Can You See A Child Inside?
People donate for the blind, give generously towards old age homes and orphanages, but it is difficult having them part so liberally towards charities or NGOs who work for the mentally challenged. I pondered on this as I drove back that evening: I’d seen the sterling work done by an…
Trifles Make Perfection..!
Many years ago, as a young man, I sat on the board of an organization which was planning a huge function in the city and for which they had sent invitations to members all across the country. It was important to have the maximum number of members attending along with…
Handling Grief through Happiness..!
It was a midnight call that woke me ten years ago. A call from my wife who was on holiday in New York, “Bob, mummy passed away in her sleep!” I was devastated. I was alone at home, with the whole family in America. “Ma,” I cried, “I’m sorry I…
Book of Strategies and Surgical Strikes..!
“Any more strategies? Your midnight one wasn’t very effective, nor the secretive early morning swearing in!” “I don’t know, but they seem to be beating me nowadays!” “I noticed!” “I wonder whether they’ve peeked into my book!” “What book?” “The one I use to make my moves! This one!” “It…
Are You Being Battered?
Not just by someone, but by life itself? Being battered by life is part of living life! No ship is made to sit in the dry docks or weigh anchor in the harbour: The test of a ship is when it pits itself against the worst storms and wins. So…
A Porter Story..!
Normally at a funeral I come prepared to see emotionally drained relatives, unconcerned bystanders and a dead body that looks like it has had enough with all on earth including the grieving relatives. But I came out of this funeral charged, relieved and happy! Most priests conduct a funeral service…
Judases Of Maharashtra..!
Even as we, those who support and do not support the BJP look at the nephew and wonder how he could have betrayed his own uncle, my mind goes back to a play I wrote many years ago, titled ‘The Kiss’. In the play, an actor playing the role of…
Mama Hear My Cry..!
T’was a few years ago that a short bent old lady climbed up to my office and plonked herself in front of me. “What are your views on abortion Bob?” she asked. I shrugged my shoulders indifferently. “Have you ever thought of the unborn babe?” she asked, “That it will…
The Refiner’s Fire..!
A group of women were praying for one of their friends who though a spiritual and religious person was going through trying and difficult times. “Instead of feeling God’s comforting hand on me, I get the feeling God is pushing, shoving and hurting me!” she cried. The other women tried…
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.