Variety by TRIOS

  I have this penchant for losing my mobile. The skies have opened and raining cats and dogs, not letting up. Rains and my mobiles just love each other. Or rains and my losing mobiles have an effinity. Last year, just the day prior to my departure, I lost my mobile.  It slipped out from the pocket of my windcheater. And, as  I almost immediately realized this, turned back to find an  absolutely   road empty. No humans. No animals. No objects! I requested a person known to me to call my number and of course, as expected, it was switched off. I panicked. My visa, passport, tickets, everything was in that phone! For a while I was absolutely incapable of thinking. I called my younger cousin and he said make a police complaint. Where was the time for all that! It’s six o’clock in the evening. My flight is at 10.30 a.m. next morning and I still had to pack. The alternative – a new mobile; new sims in lieu of the earlier ones, same numbers of course. Back hom...

  👏👏   Mrityunjay - The Death Conqueror . The original Marathi magnum opus of Mr Shivaji Sawant has been very ably translated into English by Mr Pushottam Lal & Ms Nandini Nopany. My copy was a hard cover book bound with hand-woven silk cloth and golden lettering on the cover; the pages golden edged. It definitely does credit to the contents and the homage that is paid to the great character that Karna was. Credit must go to my nephew Suryakalpo Sarker for introducing me to the book.   In literal terms,  Mrityunjay  means a person who has conquered death. Taken from the story of the Mahabharata, the book is the story of the life of Karna, the great warrior, the greatest giver; Karna, who braved the mightiest of disadvantages, insults, unfairness, injustice, humiliation and contempt to emerge victorious as a person of sterling character. A personality to be the role model for youth all through the ages. Very inspirational.   Karna...

  I know about Autism and Asperger Syndrome. I know them as information. Clinical. But 15-year Christopher, writing in first person, suffering from the infliction, brings the reality of it home. The parents’ dilemma for they are not only coping with becoming parents, taking care of a child; they are now having to take care of a child whom they cannot even begin to understand. First, to have to come to terms with the fact that your child is not normal. And then trying to learn how to deal with this situation! And sometimes we are just not up to it. No judgement. Fact. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is just such a book. Its main character, and the narrator of the book, is Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old with Autism. 'Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences and difficulties in social communication and interaction, need for predictability, sens...

👪 Recently while talking to my Father’s younger brother, my Uncle mentioned with a touch of marvel in his voice, that my in-laws have sooo many relatives and there is constantly something or other going on amongst them isn’t it? I said “Yes… “. I reflected that here at my Paternal Uncle’s side, we somehow never experienced these things !. Uncle said “We do not have any such relations cause all our relatives were much much elder to us. You see, all my uncles were of my grandfather’s age and their children means my cousins were of my father’s age. So there were no common factors for us to stay in contact.” This got me thinking……… I remember by Mother-in-law as well as my Father-in-law used to urge us to go visit the elderly in the family, check if they need any thing and if nothing else spend time with them to make them happy. As age advanced and my in-laws could not travel much, all our relatives would invariably gather at our house and include them in their conversations, discussion...

                                                              Baba with his favourite daughter, Rani.   Come Father’s Day social media is flooded with superheroes ......... Fathers are eulogised. All fathers seem to be the epitome of Fatherhood. Love and unending loyalty are extended to long the dead parent. And yet old age homes are overflowing with neglected, aged parents. I am not against old age homes or the practical necessity of arranging for a parent’s stay in an old age home. It’s the neglect and disrespect. While the social media is overflowing with perfect parents and perfect offsprings. Superhero fathers!   Wonderful loving children.  Highly commendable!  Enough to make one feel inadequate. Not having the perfect parent. Not being the perfect daughter. My Baba...

  Recently Ginil narrated another funny incidence. It seems he had gone to Mangalore. He was staying at their family home which is usually shut as no-one stays there. He had gone alone. His schedule was to rise early, exercise, bathe, have breakfast. Do whatever Govt. work he has gone for and retire early in the evening.  One evening he had just finished taking bath before going to bed and his phone rang. As per his habit, he picked it up and put it to his ear. His wife Ria (name changed) was at the other end.  " Hello, how are you? " asked Ria with great concern in her voice. " I am perfectly fine" replied Ginil " Why do you ask? We spoke this morning na?" " Then why are you sleeping so early? " Ria asked " No... I am not sleeping... Still time to go to bed " a puzzled Ginil replied " why do you think I am sleeping?" " Are then why have you put off the lights? Is there some electricity issue at the house? " asked Ri...