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...

Pic.: Sudha Ahuja “80% Delhi’s buildings wont’ stand a quake. http://toi.in/iHvisZ . We should do a structural study of ours to study if it can withstand an earthquake.” This was the first message on my cell-phone, today. It was 6.30 in the morning. NIlesh*, a young and highly-qualified member of our housing society had sent this message to me – the honorary chairman of our society… I smiled began to nod my head… “Who should I forward it to – God?” I wondered. “Good morning Nilesh,” I replied immediately, “have a nice day!” Nilesh had not even bothered to greet me, ‘Good morning’ in his message… He was bothered about the stability of our buildings… whether they can withstand an earthquake! Alright, let’s suppose we conduct a structural audit right away, tomorrow, and are advised to do something about our buildings… You think, we will be able to protect ourselves against the catastrophe? W hen Malaysian Airlines ...