The Fourth Seat

Today I visited my school church after 5 odd years. In spite of passing it everyday to work, I never stopped by. But today was different. Over a 100 people had gathered in this 450 yr old building to bid a final goodbye to Deacon Jerome D'souza, father of one of my closest friends. There were many familiar faces belonging to the small catholic community of Poinsur. There were our football coaches, there were old principals on the dias helping the other priests with the ceremony, there were retired teachers, school children, old friends, mothers of old friends, the pork shop owner, teachers in service and numerous other family members and friends. They all turned out in large numbers to take part in this mass. The goodbye mass as I call it. Silent prayers, recalling of pleasant memories, the choir singing hymns and the priests presenting a different perspective of death. I am not a devout person, nor hold anything against the devout. But this was different. The atmosphere albeit ...

There comes a time in one's life when you have to stand up and take the harshest decision. It might not be the best but often necessary. And could fill you up with utmost regret, spite and hatred towards yourself. But it is inevitable. It must be done. Whatever the outcome maybe. Once the mind is set and the deed done, there is no looking back. You have to stick to it even if it's repercussions throw you off the track. You need to dust yourself and get back on the track. There is no way out. There is no undo button. There is no justification. There is no forgiveness. Just you and the world. Game Over.

Most times in life, happiness comes from simple things. Although I can't and I shouldn't generalize, lets just say that I speak for myself. Some of my best memories comprise of the most simplest things in life. I don't remember particularly how the hotel room was at Kaniyakumari, but I can still feel the wind blowing at the Swami Vivekanand Memorial Rock or picture the three distinct shades of blue that surround this island. And this trip we made way back in the winter of '99. The amount of happiness that one derives is not at all proportional to the money that one spends. But then since I don't have much, I probably look at maximizing my satisfaction with every purchase. However, cheaper, inexpensive things have brought me and the people around me long lasting happiness. A kind word, a simple meal or a walk on the beach all make up for some really good memories, for the happiness that they bring along cannot be compared with anything. Of course a material pur...

You hear the horn blowing and the long snake like machine rumbles onto the platform. Suddenly you are awake. Your senses go into alert mode. You get in the stance, take one deep breath and brace yourself for the onslaught that is about to follow. It gets over in 10 seconds. Everything is a blur by the time you manage to grab a seat. The timing of the jump is crucial. The train has not stopped but if you manage to get in while it is in motion, you my friend would be rewarded with maybe the fourth seat. But the downside is that there are plenty who have perfected this jump so this often results into a scuffle and occasionally a fight. But this article, is not a part of Dummy's Guide to Train Travel series although a lot of these corporate idiots who migrate to Bombay could do with one, this my friend is about Birding while listening to market updates and men gossiping about their bosses. The monsoons are here and the area surrounding the railway tracks on the Western line has bee...

Technically it should be the Cadavers of Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College but then it wouldn't have a ring to it. Just like most of the institutions of Bombay. But that's another story to tell. This post is about my visit to King Edward Memorial Hospital, without being ill. A government hospital, typically is a depressing place. Overcrowded with patients belonging to lower income groups, with no air conditioning, and the ubiquitous smell of antiseptic. There are patients lined up everywhere and the entire scene stands a stark contrast to the likes of private hospitals. But there is one thing that lightens up the atmosphere. Hope. This is the common feeling that binds everyone in that area and keeps them going. And then there are smiles of relieved patients and their relatives. It is quite heartening. A microcosm of the human struggle to survive. Only difference here unlike the wild, you have fellow human beings to help you through. Dressed in white, young and old, ...