Gerald D'Cunha

“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” – Shira Tamir “S ir, I have started a blog,” beamed young Muskaan, after our Workshop, on last Sunday, “I like writing.” My friend, Dr. Deepak (a psychiatrist and an excellent soft-skills trainer) had just concluded the Workshop on ‘Assertiveness’. So, Muskaan was excitedly telling Dr. Deepak about her new-found love - blogging. “Very good,” Dr. Deepak complimented Muskaan, “But, don’t write it for others… Write it for yourself.” There was a bit of puzzle in what Dr. Deepak had just said. Muskaan’s face was revealing it… “Of course, I want others to read my blog. So, how can I say, that I am not writing for others?” It was unexpressed; but, quite evident from Muskaan’s face. Dr. Deepak was quick to pick it up. “Do you like dancing?” he asked Mushkaan. “Yes Sir, very much,” Muskaan said with equal excite...

"Heroes  are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” –  Iron Man S aran and Tushar*, both, who are doing their B.Com, are still not able to figure out where the Accountancy subject, which I have been teaching them (Saran is in TY B.Com… He has learnt from me Financial Accounts, Management Accounts, Cost Accounts and Taxation). Like scores of their friends do, they, too, come to teachers like me to learn those subjects. But, let’s face it: despite my decades of experience in ‘moving the mountains’ – that is, hoping to ignite thirst in my students, inspire them, motivate them and so and so forth… yes, despite all this, many of my students, like Saran and Tushar, are unable to figure out where and how the subjects they are learning, presently, are going to lead them. Their hearts call them somewhere else… They have a fair idea where. But, what they do not have is enough faith to follow their hearts… Unfor...

W henever a young one says, “I want to be an Entrepreneur” or “I want to start a start-up,” I get into a teasing mode… “What is that?” I ask. Some days ago, in one of our PD sessions, 17-year-old Balpreet was telling us about his immediate plan… “I want to go to Canada for further studies,” he said, “I am preparing for some entrance tests.” “What do you want to ‘study’ in Canada?” I probed. “Sir, I want to be an entrepreneur,” came the reply, “I want to start a start-up.” “Lovely,” I said, my tongue a bit tucked in my cheeks. “Tell me, can’t you be an entrepreneur here in India? Can’t you ‘start a start-up’, here?” “I can,” said Balpreet, “but, Sir, I should study that first.” “The tuition teachers, the fruit vendors on the roadside, the paperwala and doodwala, the young men who run most of the mobile, stationary , jewelry, medical, hardware and sanitary stores in the city of Mumbai,”   I pointed to all of them and...

D o we have the right to be tired, bored, sleepy, lost, sometimes? Can we remain ‘always’ involved and focused? Yesterday was my wife’s birthday. On Easter Sunday, we met in my in-law’s place and celebrated, both, Easter and my wife’s birthday, which was three days away. The idea was, on a week day, after work, we would be tired and not be able to fully enjoy the birthday celebration… But, in the morning, yesterday, my father-in-law called up and insisted on having dinner together. Thus, after my hectic day, I joined the rest of my family members to celebrate my wife’s birthday – which, essentially, meant: Cutting a cake and having a family dinner… But, let me tell you this: When I was there with my immediate and important people, and for a very special occasion, I was there dead as a log… All that I craved for was a shower and some rest. So, as others indulged in an animated discussion, I excused myself into one of the rooms, settled on an easy chair… a...

E nthusiasm is not just another word… It’s another name for Life… a clear sign that we are alive and kicking! In our PD sessions, I take a hammer and convey this to our young ones and little ones, alike. Yesterday morning, we had our session from 8 to 10.30. It’s a summer vacation, you see. So, no matter how hard you ‘hammer’ it into the thick skulls of our young ones, some of them – mercifully, ‘some of them’ and not all – find it difficult to be regular or be punctual, or both. ‘Ki farak painda’ … Yes, what difference does it make? So, come as you please… But, you better be prepared to get the hammer, too… Hello, enthusiasm cannot be taught in the classrooms… You better pick it up, from here and there, by being hungry and thirsty in life… “What class is this?” I thunder… “Personality Development, Sir,” they respond… “Personality Development… My foot!” I hammer it hard, knowing well, that ‘My foot’ is not a nice way of ...

T he Holy Week just got over.  Had I observed Lent? Did I fast? Did I reflect? Did I repent? Did I pray? Did I attend the powerful Lenten missions?  Did I attend the Way of the Cross?  What about the solemn services on Maundy Thursday, God Friday and Easter? Did I experience the ‘touch’ of Jesus? Have I been ‘cleansed’ into a better human, after this Lent? I was born into a Catholic family… and, it was my 60 th Lent! What if I was born into a Hindu or Muslim or Sikh or Buddhist or Jewish family? What if I was born into a family of atheists? What if my parents were hardcores – extremists or terrorists? E very time I see the poison in the name of our faiths, I feel so sorry for the plight we are in… Us and them! Yes, woh log and hum log! To me, it is lowest form of human evolution! Do we need to be Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews and Zoroastrians or whatever it is… in order to...