Blog@GraceJunction

‘Grey Divorce’, as it is increasingly being called, is on the rise. Couples who remain married for decades together are seeking divorce! This trend has been around for a while now but it has once again come under focus with Al Gore announcing a separation from his wife of forty years, Mary “Tipper” Gore!

The Gore divorce annoucement came as a shock to the Americans especially because just about two weeks earlier they had celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and 40 years is a really long time! As a couple they have survived emotional upheavals, the likes of which few could imagine. During their stint for the White House, and earlier even as ‘Monicagate’ loomed large over Al Gore’s political future too, they created the public image of a couple deeply in love. (more…)

The prosperous state of Gujarat has an ambassador now. A brand ambassador who will become the face of the state henceforth. It is none other than “Big B”, Amitabh Bachchan, and ever since he came to the state a few days ago for photo and video shoots at different locales of this state, every move of his has been reported by the media, including what he blogs and tweets about his experience everyday!

Mr. Bachchan too has been creatively churning out impromptu slogans and jingles. Actually, some of his observations are quite insightful. Posted on one of his blogs: “What a magnificent country we own. And it is only when you visit these places yourself do you realise that it’s not just the greatness of the domain that makes this land so wonderful and blessed, it is the man on the street, the commoner that gives this nation its strength and its glory!” I say, “Awesome insight”! (more…)

 
I was visiting Australia and was at the home of one of my good friends, who since the time I meet him at the metro station, would keep telling me about his daughter and the pain she’s going thru. As the strong man drove his huge 4 x 4 truck, I could feel that he was vulnerable, all the strength and grit that I admire him for had somehow been weakened. (more…)

“We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them”. This statement is part of the Manhattan Declaration*, a manifesto which was drafted on October 20th, 2009 and released on November 20th, 2009 with the support of more than 150 American Christian leaders. The declarations website encourages supporters to sign the declaration affirming their support for the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife and the rights of conscience and religious liberty. (more…)

India, a land where we witness the confluence of almost all the major religions of the world, is a place where we wear our faith on our sleeves. Even a small friction is enough to leave two communities at loggerheads with each other. And probably that is why the country adopts secularism, which is also the concept of separating the state from the religion. The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education. But the question needs to be asked whether secularism has helped in keeping the state and the religion separate? Especially when we see religious overtones to school text books, exercise of personal faith in government offices and departments, or even to the singing of a patriotic song with debatable lyrics. Why has secularism not been able to stop incidents like Babri Masjid demolition, Godhra Riots, Bombay terror attacks or the Orissa violence on religious conversion? (more…)

Johnson had a blessed marriage. I got an opportunity to speak at the wedding and it was a memorable event. The place where he got married was about eight hours by bus from where I lived. On the eve of the wedding, as we were traveling towards the destination by a bus, I sat by a young man I knew well. He had his phone in his hands and every couple of minutes he was looking into it. Suddenly it would buzz and he would start punching into it again and then repeat the waiting ritual! This was continuing since the time we got into the bus. He was only in his late teens and so he was certainly not finalizing the terms and conditions of some commercial deal for sure! But the communication via the ‘SMS’ was keeping him as engrossed as a big business deal would! (more…)

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Shekhar,

This letter is as good as an SOS call. I am leaving this at your parents place because I knew no other place I could track you. Although I shared a few things with your parents but I hope this letter will help you to know the whole story. It’s not about me, my health, your career or anything else but it’s about our son Rahul. (more…)