Gerald D'Cunha

  “Be patient when you have nothing; be polite when you have everything.” Amit Kalantri   Y esterday, I had been to one of the Passport Seva Kendras for the third renewal of my passport. As most of you agree, the process of obtaining a new passport or getting it renewed, or any other issue relating to our passports, has not only been made extremely simplified, but has been made into a friendly and courteous experience. Well, many of us may not find the same experience when it comes to the police verification, in some police stations. I am not painting the experience with one straight brush, though… But, by and large, we feel good as citizens… We come home, respected, valued and, above all, happy… Someone at the top must have seriously taken note of the old manner in which citizens had to go through the same process. I remember going to the Passport office at Worli some twenty years ago to make my first passport… I came home a lot hassled and angry. The staff and th...

Pic.: Anand Ashokan “Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.” - John Wanamaker   A couple of days ago, Ekta, a dear student of mine, who presently pursues MBA through a reputed institution in Mumbai , had posted a picture: “She is holding ma hand, you see!” Ekta had given the caption, filled with pride and excitement... The present Union HRD-minister, Ms. Smriti Irani, had visited Ekta’s college. The picture captured the moment when Ms. Irani had held Ekta’s hand as she was stepping out of the car. “Ekta, please don’t wash that hand... yes, till you hold mine!  What say????” I sent my teaser to Ekta, indicating that it was a precious moment, and she had to cherish it for a long, long time. “Till you hold mine” was to convey that I, too, being Ms. Irani’s great admirer, would love to feel the fragrance of her hand, of course, via Ekta’s hand! “Hehe...Okay sir....not yet washed m comin sir...”...

Haresh was born and brought up here – in this very building where I have my classes. After his graduation, their family moved to another place. It must be about five to six years ago. He had completed his MBA and joined a multinational. So, he was too tied-up with his schedule to visit his old place.  Last week, Haresh happened to visit our building; and, on his way, he came to say ‘hello’ to me. I was delighted to see this young man, who now looked well-polished in the Corporate culture. More than me, it was Buzzo, our Society dog – who, too, was born, brought up and still lives here – who was thrilled to see Haresh. As Haresh was talking to me, Buzzo began to rub his golden body against Haresh; he kept wagging his tail with happiness... kept jumping… kept drawing Haresh’s attention and he wanted Haresh to reciprocate: “Honey how I missed you! I am sooo glad to see you! I really, really love you!” Buzzo said this all as Haresh showed his affection by caressing the ...

When I am attending a Mass inside a church, I can not behave the way I do while watching an IPL match in a stadium. Likewise, I cannot talk with my son’ college Dean as I do with my next-door neighbor… Nor, can I eat in a fine restaurant the way I do in my house.  There is the social decorum… the convention... the unwritten code of conduct, which demands me to behave at a certain place in a certain manner. So, these are  Manners and Etiquette. Maybe, plain common sense! “May I come in sir?”  “Excuse me.” “Thank you.” “I am sorry.” “My pleasure.” “It is alright.” Well, why do we keep saying these phrases? When did we learn them? Who had taught them to us? Why do we need to compliment others? Why do we need to thank for every compliment that we receive? Why should we be careful when we criticize others? And, how should we deal with when we receive criticism? Why should I keep pace with othe...