The man whom I remember in May
I remember him every day of my life. I especially remember him this time of the month because Abe Rosenthal died in May. I miss him deeply – because I’m marking a big birthday today. Abe Ros...
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Medicine-bashing is too much with us
Every substance may have more than one effect, and to dub prescription drugs Weapons of Mass Destruction is unacceptable
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Faith is alive
Whoever said Faith is dead? That religion has become obsolete? Faith is still alive and kicking. It’s only that its address has changed. It has a new portal. In fact, man cannot live without some k...
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Not cricket, certainly
This circus has always had the ‘spot’lightWith cricket being played so late in the nightTricks of the trade performed in the ringPuppets on an invisible pulling stringCh...
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May 12, 2013
I found my place in Tihar Jail
Thirty years ago, in May 1983, I spent nearly 10 days at Delhi’s Tihar jail for the first and, till now, the only time in my life. With me were several hundred young men and women, many of w...
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6 comments
May 12, 2013
India of a thousand dreams!
I am from the North-East — a paradise unexplored as those grandiose “Incredible India” campaigns would spell. I belong to the land of the rhino, the national parks and the dances. But I also belon...
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10 comments
May 5, 2013
Seeking liberty
When she is born
people mourn,
sometimes killed,
before her life’s dawn;
her existence questioned
when she is grown.
Suffering since childhood...
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May 5, 2013
She stood like a wall against fanatics
March 1947 was an extraordinary time throughout India. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation and speculation, after almost a century and a half; the British rule was about to end.
Bu...
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17 comments
May 5, 2013
Smile and laughter
Two kids need care and support. Her name is ‘Smile’; he is called ‘Laughter’.
She is soft, docile and quiet. In contrast, he is energetic, audible and extrovert. While her quiet charm has...
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April 28, 2013
Bacteria are becoming bolder
Arjun (name changed) is an 8-year-old boy who was being treated for breathing difficulty in a hospital in one of the southern cities. He had suffered on and off with cough/cold since infancy and h...
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6 comments
April 28, 2013
Where are you mom?
When I’m sick, you are tending to your patients.
When I’m tired, you are promoting an energy drink.
When I’m hungry, you are catering in a 5 star hotel.
When I need you...
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13 comments
April 21, 2013
‘Back to my umbilical cord’
May 12, 2013
Move aside, me first
Has the Indian rudeness quotient really increased or has my tolerance decreased? The word queue has no meaning in the Indian mind. At Mumbai airport, I was awaiting my turn to place an order for a...
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10 comments
May 12, 2013
Medicine is too much with us
I get my weekly dose of happiness from the British Medical Journal these days. The last week of February 2013 gave me lots of joy as an article in the journal is all about what I have been s...
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4 comments
May 5, 2013
What women want
We don’t want midnight freedom,
we want only a little space on the earth;
where we should feel fearless.
We don’t expect much;
what we want is,
a littl...
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4 comments
May 5, 2013
Many a hurdle on RTE path
The Right to Education (RTE) Act turned three on March 31, 2013. It is certainly a short period to examine its efficacy, yet it is enough to give us a fair idea of the hurdles that are being faced...
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April 28, 2013
Some nagging questions
Why do we call our male gods “Lord”? Why do we say non-Hindus are not allowed in a temple? These two questions have baffled me for a long time.
The second question first. I was in Madurai...
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9 comments
April 28, 2013
Sense of humour — boon or bane?
April 28, 2013