Gerald D'Cunha

“Chiquitita tell me the truth I’m a shoulder you can cry on” From the ABBA song – ‘Chiquitita’ O ne of the comforting moments, during these days of lockdown, is when you receive a quote, a video with a reassuring message from someone who really cares for you. During these many weeks of stay-at-home, I have been touched by many of them. Maybe, it’s not the quote or video, per se, that has made my heart melt, but, I suppose, it’s the openness of my heart – how ready it is to receive them. It really amazes me to see how my heart responds… Even a very ordinary message or an old, often-heard song, now, all of a sudden, comes to stir me… make a lot of sense… and, yes, provide comfort and reassurance. These are bleak days for all of us. We may live in our mansions or in our huts… But, the Time seems to have stopped for all of us! Sheetal, an old friend, who hadn’t been in touch with me for a long time, sent, last night, these words… “N

“Many think that assigning blame settles matters.” Mason Cooley A s a human race, we have been preloaded with this one unique trait: We all want, desperately, someone to place our blame on! I mean, the moment we face a problem, we instantaneously look for someone who is responsible for that problem… and, once we find one - there we go after him/her/them – all hammer and tongs! Whether we accept it or not, we strangely believe, that when we find who is responsible for our problems, our problems go… Like this Corona! Who is responsible for it, by the way? China… Muslims… Meat-eaters… Fake News, Godi Media… Presstitutes… Government… Opposition… Foreign nationals… Migrating labourers…   Nehru… Gandhi Family… Vadras… Dharavi… Yogi… Modi… Trump… Doctors, Nurses, Delivery Boys… Currency Notes ... Who? Just imagine this: how relieved the mind feels the moment we place the blame on one of these… and, vehemently remain convinced about it…

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B eauty, as they say, always lies in the eyes of the beholder! And, there is so much beauty all around us; but, there are only two eyes to behold it! Yes, at times, I regret having only two eyes and not been able to behold every thing around me… And, at times, I regret seeing some amazing things around me with my biased eyes and ruining the real experience! Nevertheless, I do try to take off my biased glasses and view the beauty in all things different around me… Truly, that ability to appreciate and celebrate the beauty in ‘variety and difference’ – the cross culture – Yes, I think, it’s a true endowment from the Creator… Why can’t we all simply look for the beauty in our differences – whatever they be? Yesterday, my friend, Vivek, a Sindhi, sent to me this beautiful mash-up from the movie ‘Dhanak’… Obviously, the song speaks about love, peace and brotherhood… a dream state as John Lennon’s iconic song, ‘Imagine’, evoked: “Imagi

“What is a hero without love for mankind.” Doris Lessing F rankly, I wasn’t feeling motivated at all to write, today. The last thing I wanted to write was one more gloomy post. I have been extremely sad and angry, last few days, on seeing how heartless some of us could be – even during times like these… ignorance, hatred, poison! Just as I was feeling hopeless, came this very, very inspiring story from England… The story of Captain Tom Moore, a veteran war-hero, who served in Burma and India during the World War 2… And, what a story that was! I thank my friend Reshma, who lives in London, for reigniting hope in my soul, by sending this story, just a while ago… The story of Captain Tom Moore – which, as his family says, is no longer their story, but a ‘global story’ - goes like this… Some weeks ago, the war veteran made a small private resolve… that, before completing his 100 th birthday by this April end, he would complete 100 laps,

“The two most common elements in the Universe are hydrogen and stupidity.” Harian Ellison T he essence of every religion is the essence of Life; and, that’s love and brotherhood. It’s the common belief, that we all are the children of the same God – the same Creator… That, we are not even a speck in the vast Universe He has created… too, too, too small and insignificant! Hence, the fact that I am a Christian – and a Roman Catholic in that – is too insignificant. If that thought – that, I am a Christian - makes me feel different – superior to others – then, my religion is a dead religion… It’s dark and dangerous! Self-importance is the opposite of the religious essence of Love and brotherhood. If my religion makes me feel ‘different’ – superior to others – then, the God I worship must be a False God! Look at the stupidity to which some of us have lowered ourselves to, now… Yes, even at this time, when the whole wo

“Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but, which none has a right to expect.” Jean Jacques Rousseau G ratitude is a two-sided coin. The front side – the main side - is the obvious one: I need to be grateful for every thing Life has given me – my family, wealth, health, friends, neigbours, country, freedom, clean air and water, everything. But, other side - the rear side - of the coin of gratitude is not a pleasant one… but, is needed to complete it, give full value to it. But, mostly, I fail to recognize the importance of this side… because it’s unpleasant and unpalatable. So, what is this side – the rear side - of the coin of gratitude? It’s how I behave when others behave ungratefully towards me… To the good that I do to them. Normally, I become angry or hurt. So, I react or sulk… Don’t I? I, even, justify my reaction and sulking saying, “I have my right to feel angry and hurt… because, I am human.” But, when I think about it,

“Bless us O Lord and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive from Your bounty. Amen.” The Grace before meal I ncidentally, two of my friends called me, last evening… Both of them with contrasting reasons. And, let me tell you this, at the outset: I have no intention to judge them… They are my normal, good friends! The first friend wanted to check, if I had any ‘bottle’ to spare at home! He knew I was a teetotaler, but occasionally sipped some sweet port-wine (For that, this friend of mine, always teased me, calling me a ‘bachha’ who refused to come out of his playschool!). This brand-conscious friend of mine seemed desperate, yesterday, and said to me, “Friend, in this time, even your port-wine is scotch for me!” Well, I joked and rewound the famous Asrani dialogue from Sholay: “Jail me pistol?” … “ Mere ghar me bottle?” No way! The other friend wanted to know, if any help was needed for our maids. He and some