An ambitious priest I once knew had only one ambition, not to change people for the better, but to become a bishop, and when year after year his attempts at becoming one failed, he spoke to me about demonic forces that kept his ambition at bay. “No sir,” I told…
The Greatest Story Ever Told..!
‘And where did the greatest story ever told take place?’ I asked the audience of businessmen and their wives who’d come to celebrate with a Christmas dinner? ‘Not in a manger,’ I told them, ‘but in the realms of heaven where a worried and frustrated God looked down at a…
Rash Driving and the Government..!
A few years ago, the Supreme Court felt that the two years imprisonment meted out for causing death due to rash driving was ‘grossly inadequate’. Before agreeing I would like to define what the police believe is rash and negligent driving, and what actually happens on the road when an…
Reach Out to the Wounded..!
Very often I hear from some friend or relative that either they or someone in the family has been struck by a fatal disease, “But don’t tell anyone!” they tell me. I always wonder why they don’t want to tell others, and have come to the conclusion they feel the…
India Could Have Won..!
India could have won, despite losing the World Cup final! What an opportunity they had of winning the hearts of millions throughout the world if they had only displayed grace and big heartedness when they lost. What was shown by them was a crude, crass and churlish display of being…
Today Dear I Didn’t..!
Many years ago a friend of mine who I’ve lost touch with, was planning to get married, “She should be a working woman,” he said very definitely. “Why?” I asked, “I’m sure you’re doing well, why do you need her to go out and work?” “For her sake,” he said….
Do 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 with their money 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…
A Porter at a Funeral…!
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…
Guestrooms..!
“I hope I’m not going to put you and your family to any inconvenience,” I tell a friend as I enter his house. “No problems for any of us. We have a guest room waiting for you!” I shudder when I hear those words. I’ve never been particularly lucky with…
More Light, Less Noise..!
The world is full of noise makers: People who shout and yell, people who put on a great show, and act like actors on a stage: Full of craftsmanship but little content! I’ve seen this in leaders who can speak great oratory but have hardly any content. People with more…
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.