There is a strange epidemic sweeping across drawing rooms, coffee shops, family lunches, office corridors, and unfortunately, even national television studios. It is called Opinion Diarrhoea. The uncontrollable
Saturday, 7th February, 2026
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Bob’s Banter
Because a wedding party was arriving at the YWCA International Guest House in Chennai, we were moved from an air conditioned room to a non AC one. Chennai weather being kind at this time of year, I was not both
One of the toughest challenges today is not traffic, pollution, or even rising blood pressure. It is figuring out whether the government is speaking the truth or performing for the national stage.Every morning,
The Indian Budget is that annual national festival which arrives with great fanfare, deep mystery, and absolutely no guarantee of happiness.For one week before Budget Day, every Indian suddenly becomes an econo
The news came like news always does these days. Casually. Between a cricket score and a discount sale. Someone powerful is suddenly no more. Not someone I supported. Not someone whose speeches I memorised. But
The school buildings had been torn down a year ago. Flattened. Cleared. Wiped out. All to make way for something modern. Something glassy. Something that probably has air conditioning that actually works.Where
There is a brand-new national pastime that has quietly overtaken cricket, it is the sacred art of correcting someone who says the wrong word on the wrong day.“You do not hoist the flag on Republic Day,” som
Bleak is one of those words that does not rush at you. It sits. It lingers. It looks around the room and makes itself comfortable. It does not scream like terror or shout like anger. It simply lowers the lights
At home my piano is a silent one. It stands there in the sitting room, polished, upright, respectable. Visitors notice it immediately. They nod approvingly and say things like old world charm, classic taste, el
The municipal elections in Mumbai are over, the banners have been taken down, the loudspeakers have finally fallen silent, and the city has returned to its favourite sport: complaining. I am part of a WhatsApp
Winning elections is exhilarating. Slogans work, crowds cheer, numbers add up, and victory music is played. It is a moment when every politician feels ten feet tall and slightly immortal. But once the fireworks-
There is something profoundly touching about the sight of elected representatives being escorted to a luxury resort, not for a holiday, not for reflection, but for safekeeping.It is democracy wrapped in room se
There are moments in life when history, geography and blood pressure converge at one small counter. One such moment happened today for me, at the Mumbai airport. I had just finished a 15 hour flight from New Yo
I watch from my window in the Pocono Mountains as the snow begins its slow descent. It does not fall. It performs. Each flake arrives like a well-rehearsed dancer, light on its feet, floating with confidence, a-
A political leader and Rajya Sabha member from Mumbai has proudly announced that his party can still shut down Mumbai in ten minutes.One wonders what exactly is being boasted about here. Mumbai is not a toy cit
In the last two centuries, more people have died due to wars than at any other time in recorded history. Technology has advanced, education has spread, and yet humanity seems to have become more efficient at ki-
The other day I watched a wife look after her disabled husband. He was a surly, grumpy sort who did not have the will or inclination to do something to get his limbs moving again through physiotherapy. All he d
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There is a strange irony playing out in full public view, yet many refuse to see it. While the sons and daughters of our political leaders board flights to London, Boston, Singapore and Sydney, to study, the me
He fell! The pavement had been unkind to him, he hadn’t seen the paver block sticking out, uneven, arrogant, catching his worn out, treadles soles and throwing him forward with a lurch. He lay quietly, waitin
One of the most horrifying memories of my early working years was travelling in the Mumbai local trains, hanging on to a metal bar with the desperation of a man who had suddenly discovered how much he liked liv
