Poll Games

I have been watching with amused horror tinged with extreme sadness the poll games being played with alacrity over the past few days. These are being reported by all media channels for all to see...More

The Cry of the Vegetable Vendor

No matter how hot or cold it is, no matter if it is raining or scorching our vegetable vendor does not miss his rounds. His cry is like the comfortable chime of an old clock...More

The Last Turnaround

I am no economist or specialist of any kind, but in my humble and limited opinion what we are facing is a moral crisis more than an economic way...More

Musing On

The little boys are lost in their game. At this very moment it is all that matters. The only aim is to try and win...More

ward no 10, bed no 27

That was perhaps the very instant when I was taught the true meaning of the fox's secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. Yes I realise today, as Manu is fighting for his life, that he was the one who taught me to look with my heart...More

Manu's spirit

When Manu spent his first night in his own bed in our foster care after sharing a hot meal with his roommates, I felt I had reached home after a journey that had taken almost a decade. ...More...

My Little Miracle Maker

In the last 24 hours my life seems to have changed for ever. Does holding the child of your own child catapult you into another realm of life...More

Gandhi for Sale

A pair of glasses, a pocket watch, a bowl and wooden slippers went under the hammer...More

Life in times of Recession...

My heart goes out to those who have got pink slips and those living with the fear of losing their jobs. I understand the despair of those who gambled on the stock markets and lost. I feel the pain of those unable to pay...More

If I can change one life....

I must again thank a little boy for having allowed me to experience one of the greatest moments of my life. Let me tell you how it happened...More

Jai Ho

Jai Ho sang India as Oscars dropped Slumdog Millionaire's way. It was a day of celebration indeed and India was on cue, a fact dutifully reported all day long by all media channels...More

A Palette of Dark Colours

There was no denying the fact that things were bad and getting worse but could one allows one self to wallow in the mire and get lulled by doomsday vision. To give up without a fight and sink into despair was not my cup of tea...More

KidSpeak

In the car, Amit who had come with us handed him over a box with some cake that he had got from home. Utpal opened the box, a big smile on his face, and then looked around expecting someone to hand him over a spoon...More

No dream is Ever too small, No dream is ever too big

What is your one single special wish was the question asked by a visiting friend to a bunch of teenage girls at our women centre. The question was met with stony silence and a few quizzical glares...More

Cinema Paradiso

After many discussions it was decided that the cinema club would be inaugurated with a screening for our very special kids. This was because most if not all of these children have never been to a movie hall...More

In all interviews and talk shows the slumdog team has been pitching the film as a tale of hope and love. I am sure it is because slums are replete with tales of hope...More

Slumdog Musings

Everyone is talking about Slumdog Millionaire. I have not seen the movie as it is yet to be released in India. I had read Q & A almost two years ago when the book had been recommended...

Please Admit My Child

Take this said the desperate mother as she held out a 5oo Rs note but please admit my child. This incident occurred last week at the women centre...

Unanswered Questions

The article raised many issues that I have touched upon in my years of blogging: corruption, the lure of money, political nexuses and above all the need of apportioning responsibility....

A Real Life Tale of Horror

The said ritual entailed feeding the entire village and thus Meena had to borrow twelve thousand rupees at the rate of 6% a month or 72% a year. The split moment decision had made her indebted...