Gerald D'Cunha

  “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” Pablo Picasso   I n last two weeks, I have personally visited, or consulted (over the phone), at least   half-a-dozen specialist doctors in connection with my wife’s health. Well, these doctors, as I said, are specialists and extremely busy people. People wait patiently for their turn to come, at times, for hours… That’s why they are called ‘patients’… Patience! “I can think, I can wait, I can fast”… I remembered Siddhartha’s famous reply to the question – “What work can you do best?” I am talking about the protagonist in Hermann Hesse’s famous novel ‘Siddhartha’ (and the movie by he same name starring Shashi Kapoor and Simi Garewal).The wanderer monk, Siddhartha’, was hired because of this response – “I can think, I can fast and I can wait.” L ate last night, one of my old students called me. “Sir, I am your ex-student, Siddharth Punjabi,” he introduced himself. Then, he e...

“There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” –  Roger Staubach A n hour ago, I was in my bank (a nationalized bank) on some work. As I had carried my Pass Book, I wanted to get it updated. The young lady at the counter gave me a feeling that she knew I was their customer! A great relief that was! The next gesture came when she wasn’t able to get the Pass Book updated due to some technical issue. “I am really sorry, Sir,” she said sincerely, “Can I help you with the latest entries and the balance… or, can I give you a statement?” What else did I need? Someone being helpful… showing me some willingness to go a little extra-mile to solve my problem. It took her just a few seconds to provide me with the statement… and, I was out of the door feeling grateful to her and happy about the way the staff of the bank – which is the face of the bank – had treated one of its oldest customers. Wouldn’t this young woman go home satisfied with her own approa...

Pic.: Indu Varier I t is 10 dot in the morning, now. Reshma, a dear friend of mine, has just sent a message on my phone: “Sir, running late… Should be there in 15 minutes max.” “No problem Reshma,” I replied instantly. Reshma has been living in London with her husband and two little-girls. Back home, here in Mumbai, her elderly parents live. They are very sick. Moreover, there is her brother, who has been mentally retarded right from his birth. Some days ago, Reshma called me up…. “Sir, I am in India,” she said, “I will come and see you in a few days.” Yesterday, she called me up, again, to check with me if she could meet me today. Thus, we fixed it for today morning, at 10… Ironically, last night, someone had asked some of us to attend a meeting at 10 concerning some issue. All of us were there before time. The gentleman, who had called the meeting, did not turn up till 10.30… Nor did he consider it important to inform us, leave alone feeling bad, apologetic, o...

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 ...

Today, THE DAWN CLUB will be starting a ten-day programme for the little ones. The age group will be from five to ten.  For the past thirty-three years or so, I have begun and ended my day with young college-students. I have taught them the Commerce subjects… and, I have also trained hundreds of young ones in Personal Growth. Call it Personality Development, if you like.  I thoroughly enjoy these sessions… Every summer, for two full months, I and some of my associates spend our time, energy, skills and talents to mould these young souls… It has been really a very fulfilling experience… Very empowering and very enriching. But, those programmes are for the youth… For teenagers and beyond. What about the little ones… the tender five-to-ten-year olds? We will be starting their programme today, and I am simply excited about it! What do these little angels expect from us, from me? How will we, I, ‘m...

Joe called me up this morning. Surprisingly, to tell me that he had started reading my blog, every morning! I had always thought (even though we are such great pals) that he would not be the one to find anything of substance in simple stuff like my Blog. What we assume are only assumptions. They may not be true! So, when Joe expressed his fondness for my Blog, I felt good about myself… What a feeling that is! That, early in the morning - somewhere, hundreds and thousands of miles afar - someone thinks of you as soon as he or she begins the day! That, what you write, makes his or her day… Wow! What a feeling that is! What a way to live! I felt, for a moment, that I was the richest man on this earth! And, I resolved, once again, come what may, I would live this way! Then, I couldn’t refrain myself from asking Joe, what he had meant when he said: “How can I drive? Mariette (his wife) has gone to Mumbai!” As I had told in my earlier post, I had just laughed on h...

M any a times, we are obsessed with our own lives - our own work, our own achievements, our own success. We forget that others exist... even though the 'others' may mean our own good friends. Ajay was my student more than twenty years ago. He, later, became a dear friend and we became each other's well-wishers. Presently, Ajay is settled with his family in Pune, where he runs his business. Along with it, he also runs his NGO, which he keeps telling me was inspired our DAWN CLUB. The reason why I remember Ajay, today, is that he had mailed me some of his college-days poems just, I am sure, expecting that I would read them... that I may tell him, "Ajay, they are beautiful." But, then, as I told you at the outset, I was in my own world... I failed to notice Ajay's mail with this attachment! A month had gone by! And, just a while ago, my eyes fell on them... and, I became a little angry with myself. For, being so selfish... by basking under my own glory. So, I ...

"What is going to happen, WILL happen." But, I do not know, what is going to happen. I want only 'pleasant things' to happen... I do my best to avert the 'unpleasant things' from happening. Well, I used the words - 'do my best' - almost mechanically! In my case - and, I believe there are many to provide me company here - I go all the way to avert, to block the 'enemy'. And, when I find myself unable to block the invasion, I panic. Some people are super cool... so cool, that, even if the bombs start falling before them, they won't run! They are on the extreme end of one side of the spectrum. On the extreme end of the other side, are those who panic even when they ‘imagine’ the word ‘BOMB’… leave alone ‘hear’ the word! Where do I fit in? I really do not know. But, I do like to be there with any of these ‘extremists’. Both are equally dangerous. I have an extra level of anxiety, which I know is not good for my health, both physical and mental....