Blog@GraceJunction

Citius. Altius. Fortius.

Well, you guessed it right. I couldn’t keep myself from being bitten by the Olympic Games bug. The grandeur of the event this year has finally caught the attention of many a nonchalant audience like me.

And in all these of watching a few hundred athletes compete for those precious (and not so precious) metals, it is probably for the first time that I was able to sit back and gauge upon the gravity of their endeavour. All thanks to our very own gold medallist Abhinav Bindra, not forgetting the record stint of Michael Phelps and the extravagant Chinese hosts.

However, what will stay on with me forever is none of these current events but one of the past Olympic Games; somewhere in the middle of the First and the Second World War. It dates to the Paris Olympic held in 1924 which, among several champions, featured a humble athlete who went on to clinch a gold medal in the 400 metres running race. (more…)

This August 15th we as a nation will complete 61 years of independence. Independence from British imperialism and a period of exploitation of the country, its resources and therefore its psyche. The Indian Psyche was crushed under the fierce desire of the English empire to colonize the whole world.

The British Empire started its Raj after the Battle of Plassey, in 1757 when the Nawab of Bengal surrendered his dominions to the Company by granting the ‘Diwani’ or the right to collect revenue. The Indian sub continent saw many upheavals since then, violent and non violent, but not much inroad was made till the entry of Mahatma Gandhi. (more…)

Doctor,

It’s been a long time since I spoke to you. I remember when I first met you during a counseling session at my college. Well, I have been greatly helped by you in getting rid of some of my addictions. Your techniques to counter them helped me to come out of it easily. My parents were really happy to hear about my de-addiction.

I wanted to invite you for my marriage, but circumstances were such that I could not. You know Reema who was my junior in college and you have been our common friend for a long time. Even now when we talk, we do remember you. Well after those good days when we met, both Reema and I took a liking for each other. We loved each others company and things just worked out. (more…)

Samir, are you there? Whenever you read my message, give me a call. Switch on the TV and look at the news. All of them are covering it. They say that the police and the media are still trying to figure out, who is the culprit.

My whole house is glued to the TV set and it is giving me nervous moments. Do you even remember what we did last night? How will you, you were so drunk, that I had to drag you out of the party and hurl you in to my car. Yesterday, it all started when you had more than your normal intake of alcohol. You got in to a fight with a guy on the dance floor. His group of friends charged on you and then what followed was total chaos. (more…)

Dear Sis,

Am writing this letter at a time in life, where I have been overwhelmed by a sudden turn of events. Somethings which I never expected in my life, things that I thought were innocent have come back to haunt me. I need help.

I know, you would say ‘I told you’ but it is now too late to dwell on those issues. I am ready to take your counsel. All my life, you were the one who guided me and I was the one who always spurned the good advice thinking you were from the old school of thought, narrow minded.

Remember, Raj who used to be my research partner. Yes, one of the many boyfriends I used to date and the one you hated the most. Well, I liked the guy for his lavish spending and deep pockets. The relationship was just a way for me to enjoy life, the added advantage that he was a good student just helped. I always knew that none of these guys would be my life partner, I knew that marriage needed somebody who was more dependable, mature and understanding. (more…)

My eyes saw spreadsheets everywhere and I just wanted to get rid of it. I put aside my plans to paint for a while and yearned to finish dinner in a jiffy and plunge onto my bed the very next min. It would have been just another evening but for the phone call. The urgency in the tone of my sister at the other end made all my other-wise lousy senses alert.

Half a minute was all it took. O Boy! If times were to snatch the sweet memories, I would cling onto them tightly…cuz it is all that is left with me now. The songs we sung together at Sunday school, breaking the file we were asked to stand in, rolling with laughter at senseless things, pulling each others leg and all those stupid talks during the drama rehearsals which would go on and on much to the Sunday school teacher’s dismay. (more…)