There was a time when the ruling politicians frightened people with enemies across the border. Then they frightened us with enemies next door. Then with enemies from another religion. Then with enemies from ano
Saturday, 23rd May, 2026
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Bob’s Banter
Very often people come to me and say, Bob, I can write very well! I nod respectfully, because one must encourage confidence in people. Then I ask to see what they have written. Most times, what I see is not wri
There was a time when leaders loved press conferences. They stood proudly behind microphones, smiled confidently at reporters and answered questions with the enthusiasm of students who had actually studied for
I have noticed something very strange about senior level leaders.The higher they rise in office, the lower their willingness to learn becomes.A young trainee attends every seminar eagerly with notebook in hand.
Quite often at parties, just when people are balancing plates of kebabs, laughing loudly, and trying not to spill soft drinks on expensive sarees, somebody suddenly shouts across the room, Bob, will you say a p
How we love excluding people.Everywhere I go I see signs that politely, firmly, and sometimes proudly keep people out.For Members Only.Residents Only.Parking for Office Bearers.Private Function.And the more exc
This evening I went to watch The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with two younger friends. Three men walking into a theatre as though we ourselves had just ridden in from the Wild West.I looked carefully at my compa
My father 1died around twenty-five years ago.Strange how fathers become clearer after they leave. While they are alive, we are too busy arguing with them, avoiding them, or pretending we know better. But after
His personal life has nothing to do with his politics!I have heard that sentence shouted with great confidence whenever a politician is caught in some scandal involving affairs, dishonesty, manipulation, or que
A few years ago I sat through a very long motivational talk.The speaker shouted passionately about hard work. Work hard! he thundered. Success comes only through hard work!For nearly an hour he attacked lazines
Every morning we hear some terrible news: Riots somewhere. Corruption somewhere else. Children harmed. Leaders shouting. Wars brewing. Prices rising. Hatred spreading faster than kindness. And after reading all
Where are the lids?That was the scream that came from our kitchen one Sunday morning. A scream every Indian family knows very well. The scream of somebody trying to find the correct lid for a plastic container.
The statement by a simple, good man who is a friend of mine, caught me by surprise, All the problems in West Bengal is because of a particular community!In my writing class I tell my students something that sur
Many of us grew up hearing a sentence repeated by parents, teachers, coaches and even old uncles sitting with cups of tea after a cricket match. Learn to lose gracefully. We were told that being a good loser wa
Anything free this election? a friend asked me, leaning forward with the eagerness of a man about to win a lucky draw.Quite a bit, I said. In fact, so much that you may soon wonder why anyone ever thought of wo
Who are you voting for? he asked me with great seriousness, as though the future of the nation rested delicately between his teacup and my answer.I was thinking, I said, of voting for whoever will stop the unne
Somewhere in a quiet naval harbour, a young naval lieutenant stood tall, chest out, uniform crisp, as he guided a massive ship out into open waters. Every turn was precise, every command by the book. The vessel
There is a strange sense of duty that has quietly crept into our lives. It does not come from religion, though it feels spiritual. It does not come from law, though it feels binding. It comes from that glowing
Union Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia has apparently discovered a revolutionary alternative to air conditioning. A humble onion in his pocket!Now, I must confess, when I first heard this, I felt a deep sense of
There is a strange disease spreading through society, and it is called cultivated lateness.It is not caused by traffic, monsoon potholes, or missing auto rickshaws.It is caused by insecurity.Some people do not
