Gerald D'Cunha

“Y our servant is not your slave,” I keep reminding myself every time I deal with those who ‘serve me’ – be it a peon, driver, maid, watchman, waiter, a sales boy or courier or delivery boy, the cobbler, or the barber… Yes, these people are around me not to make me feel like a king by massaging my ego… They are there only to make me feel, that I am privileged and blessed because of them. So, if my day should start with peaceful and secure thoughts, so should my driver’s, peon’s and maid’s. How can I ever feel blessed if I do not treat them with respect, dignity and love… What is the point in doing my early-morning Yoga, Tai Chi, walk, Gym or attending Satsang, if I am rude, sarcastic and abusive towards those who ‘serve’ me right from the sunrise… No human wants to be criticized and feel low when he or she starts his day… You and I don’t want to be… We yearn for our self-respect, dignity and love… Money that we earn is not the only thing we work for, yearn...

Pic.: Vincent D'Souza O f this year’s Oscar-nominated films, I have watched ‘Gravity’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ and missed on ‘12 Years a Slave’. I was very keen to watch ‘12 Years a   Slave’; but, because it was screened only at select places, far off from where I lived, I somehow lost the chance. Now, after watching the Oscar acceptance-speech of Lupita Nyong'o (for Best Actress in Supporting Role in ‘12 Years a Slave), I felt the loss even more intensely! The night before last, BBC was showing a special programme on Lupita. This young, lean and dark actress hails from Kenya. The programme was focusing on the impact Lupita’s spectacular glory had left on the oppressed nation. Every Kenyan young-one, who spoke to BBC, was proud and inspired... Success of one of them had lifted an entire Kenyan nation up... rather the entire African population, all over the world.   In fact, I feel, Lupita has lifted up the oppressed spirit of entire manki...

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 ...