Gerald D'Cunha

  “Learn as if you were to die tomorrow; learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi   A n hour ago, I was talking to my younger brother, Rony, over the phone. Rony, along with his wife, Meena and son Jeswin, have been living in Kuwait for several years. Just a few weeks ago, Jeswin moved to Malaysia to pursue his degree course. They have made arrangements in a rented apartment for Jeswin, who, presently, lives all alone in this apartment. “What about his food?” I asked Rony, this morning, “Does he know to cook?” Rony laughed and asked, “Didn’t we learn to cook, Dattu* ? He will learn.” Times were different for every generation. My grandparents lived in their own time and they had to deal with their on struggles. The same for my parents, the same for us… and, the same will be for our own children, too. I remember my parents, particularly my mother, worrying about me when I was moving out of my protective nest to settle in this big city. She did worry ab...

  “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word would do.” Mark Twain   O ne of the advantages of being with young college-students – and also having a young son and daughter-in-law around – is, that I get to know many English words and expressions which are in vogue. I will not call them as some great vocabulary, but something that makes one feel like belonging to today’s world. Whether that word makes any sense or not is not at all important. Important thing seems to be this: Sound modern! Chalo , one such word, which I have stated ‘receiving’ from young lot is - ‘Heads-up’! I did not know at all what this word meant till quite recent days. Obviously, I first heard it from my son and some of my students… “I am giving you heads-up”… I slowly realized, that it meant: “I am telling you/informing you/warning you in advance.” Giving an advance notice, that is. For instance, while leaving for work in a hurry, this morning, my dear wife said calmly, “I have to ...

“We didn’t have generation gap; we had a generation Grand Canyon!” - Mary Brave Bird : I called up a friend of mine, yesterday, to wish him on his 49 th birthday. This friend loves to enjoy life to the fullest – good food, good drinks, good friends and all that keeps him young. “So, 49 Not Out?” I teased him, “my wife and I will be watching ‘102 Not Out’, today.” “That must be a good movie,” my friend exclaimed, “Do tell me how you liked it.” “Did you watch any movie, lately?” I asked my friend. “Don’t ask me that!” my friend quickly said. “Why, what happened?” I was curious. “My kids ‘forced’ me to take them to watch ‘Avengers: Infinity War’,” my friend said, “I slept through the entire movie!” I laughed loudly!   “For once I was convinced, that the generation gap actually exists,” my friend concluded. E xactly two years ago, one late night, my wife and I wanted to watch the Marathi blockbuster...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty M rs. Subramaniam was a very popular teacher in one of the best schools around. She taught there for twenty-five years, and, spent her next five years as the Principal of other well-known schools in the city. Now, in her mid-sixties, she spends her time involving herself in many productive and empowering activities. I like the zest and energy she exudes… and the childlike eagerness with which she approaches life… Two days ago, I had spoken to Mrs. Subramaniam about our on-going PD course and requested her to spend some time with our young kids. So, this morning, she was here, literally held fascinated by what our young kids were sharing in class. “How I spend my day” was the topic, and, they all knew that they were not being judged or analyzed by any of us… That, they were encouraged to speak out – frankly and fearlessly – all that they felt… their joys and frustrations… their conflicts inside and outside… why they weren’t able to focus… w...