“Wanted,” I announced, “brave Indians for immediate placement at strategic locations!” “Security guards?” asked my neighbour. “Heroes!” “For a film? My nephew has six packs and no expressions.” The nation is rightly proud of Captain Smit Machchhar, who, despite serious injuries, opened his cockpit door, allowing others to intervene and…
Before Carrying Her Across…!
“Wait!” I tell the groom as he prepares to carry his bride across the threshold. He freezes. His bride looks worried. Somewhere behind them, an uncle stops chewing, convinced somebody has discovered an unpaid wedding bill. “Before you carry her across,” I say, “there are four actions you both need…
A Book is a Journey..!
“Wonderful news!” said the gentleman. “I have finished my book!” “Congratulations!” I said. “What happens in chapter two?” “The same thing as chapter one, but explained more thoroughly.” I imagined a train leaving Bombay Central, travelling enthusiastically for twenty minutes, then returning to Bombay Central so the driver could explain…
Ouch the Couch..!
“Congratulations, sir!” said the secretary, entering the sports official’s room. “Another gold?” “No, sir. Another baby. We are maintaining our population lead!” The official leaned back on his enormous couch. “Excellent! Put out a statement saying India continues to dominate.” “In population, sir?” “Must you spoil every announcement with details?”…
Compassion When You’re In Agony..!
“Can’t you see I’m suffering?” we shout at the person who has brought us a glass of water. The person can certainly see it. After that reception, they are suffering too. I have often noticed how some believers acquire a different voice when trouble arrives. The voice that sang so…
Focus on the Shore..!
Halfway through a dip in the sea, I once swallowed a mouthful of seawater and announced that the sea was against me. A friend swimming beside me said, “The sea has never heard of you, Bob. Keep swimming.” He had a point. I had become so busy quarrelling with each…
No Bank Strike..!
When I heard that the bank strike had been called off, I wondered what would have happened if it had gone ahead. I haven’t visited my bank in months. But, it visits me several times a day, usually to announce that I have spent money. The woman inside my phone…
New Cut-Off..!
Yesterday, as my car passed a liquor shop near Fort in Bombay, a notice in bold letters caught my eye: ONLY THOSE ABOVE 25 MAY BUY LIQUOR. I laughed. At eighteen, a youngster may help change the government. But for another seven years, apparently, he cannot be trusted to choose…
Throw Your Tenant Out…!
“Who lives in that room?” I asked my friend. “Nobody,” he said. “Then why do you keep talking to him?” My friend looked puzzled. But throughout lunch, he had spoken of a man who had hurt him years ago. He remembered the words, the place where they had been spoken…
Some Confused Newsrooms..!
“Sir, our newspaper has never been fuller,” said the editor proudly. The owner looked pleased. “What have we put on the front page?” “A full page advertisement for luxury apartments.” “And the second?” “A car advertisement.” “What about the news?” The editor lowered his voice. “Sir, the journalist has found…
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.