My Experiments with Time

The largest democracy in the world,.. That is how the country and the leaders boast of themselves! But do we understand the true meaning of democracy? The term is derived from the Greek word ‘ demokratia’ meaning ‘rule of the people’ . But in our country the people play a role only during the election campaigns and while casting their votes, thereafter they are forgotten, until the next elections. The so-called leaders of the nation seem to know what their people need and when these needs have to be met. They treat the country like a natural mine which is so rich in resources, the only change is in the political party that mines it. I wonder what will be the plight when the mine is completely depleted! India is a rich country, which is evident from the umpteem scams that are being exposed each day. The Prime Minister was so right when he said there is no magic wand to end corruption in the country, but are we asking him to put an end to it overnight? As citizens of the largest

After almost a month of repetitive packing, travelling and unpacking, I have finally settled in my new abode. Now that it’s been a week of staring at the ceiling and appreciating the craftsmanship of the person who designed the lights and door handles in my flat, I ponder over the many things that happened during the past two months. As I have anyway decided to run a flash back, let me go deeper into the whirls of flashback like in old Indian movies!……. It’s November of 2009 and my wedding has been fixed to ‘the NRI from Dubai’. Till then Dubai was just another country in the ‘Gelf’ that I get to hear a lot on my vacations to Kerala. As a kid I had always thought that as a rule, at least one person in each Malayali family had to be in ‘Gelf’. Suddenly Dubai became the most important word in my life with anyone and everyone I came across talking only about Dubai. From the aunty next door to the CEO of Saint Gobain, everyone had their comments to offer on Dubai. ‘How do you feel abo

I would say it is another of those “ Days ” which holds very little relevance in our country. Corporates and institutions celebrate the day with competitions and parties for their female employees, women who consider themselves free and independent may indulge in partying too to celebrate womanhood. But can you actually look around and swear that India is a safe country for women? I quote Jawaharlal Nehru who said you can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women. If that is the case, India is in a very sad state. I don’t deny that a large percentage of women have actually achieved economic and social independence over these years, and most of you women reading this note belong to that fortunate category. I am not writing here about the unfortunate unborn females or the illiterate women in our villages or the many other injustices that are meted out to women. I write here about an issue that concerns all women, for the simple reason that you are one.

As I step out of my house, I find that there is a festive mood all around and I am flooded with offers wherever I go, be it a hotel or a department store. There are heart-shaped cushions and balloons, all in red hanging everywhere, and I realize the Valentine’s Season has begun. I wouldn’t call it Valentine’s Day, it’s rather the Valentine’s Season, as the preparations for the D day begin almost as soon as the New Year celebrations die out. Valentine’s Day means a lot; I mean it means different things to different people. If you are to classify people on what Valentine’s Day means to them, here is what it will look like. To some it is a very Special day; the day that symbolizes love, the auspicious day to propose to their loved one(s!), a reason to hang-out with their sweethearts and shower gifts. To yet others who are fond of surprises, it is another day to express their love in the form of gifts and cards. To some, it is just another day in their life. Either because they lo

“May we seek truth to find God in all we do and reach out in love to everyone in need,..” I was surprised when I realized what I was humming in the early hours of the day. I was busy packing lunch for my husband and it was only when I reached the school motto “Towards Charity by Truth” that I realized I was absent-mindedly humming my school song. I am sure all Dominicans who happen to read this would have started humming it too, to check how much they remember of the song we used to sing so often. I am indeed proud that I could sing it till the very last word, though I find it difficult to recall the definition of “market” which I have been memorizing sincerely every term since 11 th Std. This brought me memories of the good old days of school and morning assembly. It fills me with nostalgia as I remember how we used to run towards the assembly ground as the bell goes at 8.30 am, making sure we carry our song books along. I can still recall the day when I had left my song book at