Gerald D'Cunha

“A shot to kill the pain. A pill to drain the shame. A purge to end the gain. A cut to break the vein. A smoke to ease the crave. A drink to win the game. An addiction is an addiction, because it hurts the same.” Unknown M y youngest brother, Vivek, was one of those hyperactives on social media, particularly on various WhatsApp groups. Known in family and friends circle for his sociable nature, he loved the constant social conversation. In addition, he loved all sorts of jokes, which he would share, like crazy, on WhatsApp groups. His comments were instant and insane, very entertaining and even provocative. And, all of a sudden, the messages, jokes and forwards stopped coming from my brother… There was no response from his end for the messages, jokes and forwards sent to him. He was off the radar, all of a sudden… Days went by, weeks and then months. “What happened,” I wondered. It took his wife to tell us wh...

“Dear God, if Success is a trap, then, please give me the wisdom not to walk into it!” The night before last, my wife and I were watching the TLC (Travel and Living Channel) on TV. They were showing the living style of Shah Rukh Khan. When we were watching the kind of lifestyle – the mansions in Mumbai and Dubai – with all the swanky opulence in them… I knew the reason why the world calls him ‘King Khan’ – the ‘Badshah’ ! It was surreal, to say the least… Well, every pin and plane of that opulence, this self-made actor deserves. They are his sweat and toil… They are his achievements – the fruits of his Success. Hence, he has every right to relish them with his dear ones. I am not challenging this fact. But, as I was watching the glitter and glamor that went along King Khan’s luxury, I was wondering: “Is so much really needed to be happy in life?” “Can you retain this life-style lifelong?” “Is it possible for you to deal with it without su...