Bygone Days

I wrote this back in August 2004. Some names and incidents have been changed, but like most of my writings – this one is more or less autobiographical. By the way Mozart would have been 250 today. Delhi roads.. I ran into a book called “Famous Poems from Bygone Days” and found this tender poem…

Friends Forever

“Friends forever,” she said. “Friends forever,” he said. Eight years old and they made the vow to remain friends forever. “I need some room,” she said. “I’ll back away,” he said. Ten years old and they made the vow to give each other space. “Does Tommy like me?” she asked. “I’ll find out,” he said….

Driving in India

This hilarious article was written by an Expert from Baan, Netherlands who spent two years in Hyderabad. For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar where life…

The Schoolmaster

By Mabel Annie Chacko (India, 18/12/05) In the days when you couldn’t count on a public toilet facility, an English woman was planning a trip to India. She was registered to stay in a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as to whether the guest house contained a WC. In…

Daastaan e Ghazal

The world of Urdu Poetry is much more complex than it seems. It goes much beyond than what you and I listen to on the radio. In fact, Ghazal in Arabic literally means speaking with women. However, the word has a different meaning in Persian and Urdu: it is the last melancholic cry of deer…