Gerald D'Cunha

  “And we will lie down on the ground and have conversations with the   grasses and the flowers.” Avijeet Das   I had taught Pooja, now a dear friend, right through her junior and degree college days. It was more than twenty-five years ago. She was extremely committed, focused, and, yes, ambitious. These attributes rewarded her with success she deserved… She became a CA at a very young age, added many more specialized degrees… authored a couple of books on Financial subjects, lectured extensively at many premier institutes… and, for reasons best left tucked in her heart, she chose to remain single… Is she happy in life? I haven’t asked Pooja… Nor has she asked me the same question after thirty years of my own marriage… “Sir, are you happy in life?” Some months before the Covid situation broke out, Pooja had moved to Chennai on a lucrative assignment. She is still there. Presently, she has been sharing with us the pictures and videoes of her latest ‘achievem...

Pic.: Avinash Mantri M any years ago, I had found this story in the book ‘Tales and Parables of Sri. Ramakrishna’ by Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. I was a young man in my early twenties then, and I  had just started my teaching career… Yesterday, I turned 58… My wife and I spent two amazing days in Pune with our son Kenrick and dear friend Dr. Deepak While having our quiet birthday dinner, Dr. Deepak asked me, “So, what is your Bucket List?” Earlier during the day, I had received a pleasant phone call from Mario. Some thirty-six years ago, one afternoon, I had rung their door-bell when I was looking for a student or two to teach… I was dying to teach… I was full of enthusiasm and I was fearless and shameless about it… So, that day, Mario had opened the door and liked my zest… and got me one of my first students - his brother, Joe. “Gerry, my mom was very fond of you and saw you as one of her own sons,” yesterday Mario reminded me,  “It is good to s...