Gerald D'Cunha

It is one of the brilliantly shot chase scenes of Indian cinema. The honest and tough Super Cop is chasing the most wanted Don. Someone has tipped the Super Cop that the Don will be at the airport … and the Don has been tipped by someone that his nemesis, (his rival Don) would be at the airport trying to flee the country. So, the Don is after his nemesis… and the Super Cop is after the Don. In those last some minutes, the Don manages to hoodwink the Cop… shoots down his nemesis in one of the most inspiring scenes… And, now, it is Don's turn to be on the run… He runs into the runway… towards the aircraft which is all set to take off… and, there, we hear the Cop shouting… warning the Don, “Stop… Else, I will shoot you down,”… “I will shoot you down.” Then, he does. The Don falls… and, the Cop has him…. But, strangely, the Cop has him in his arms! “No, Vijay…No…,” “Kuch nahin hogo tuje… Nahin. Nahin..,Vijay.” “Dad, magar… Nahin dad…” the Don is dying… “Nahin, Vijay......

In my last post, I wrote on the 'Paradox of Money'. In today's post, I wish to write on another Paradox: 'the 'Paradox of loving our enemies'. Who is an enemy? Does he actually exist? Or, does he just exist in our minds - a creation of our own perception, our distorted thinking? "Do not tell me to be a Jesus Christ," this middle-aged lady retorted to me some years ago, "I don't wish to be nailed on the cross like Him." I was trying to broker peace between this lady and another one. They had a prolonged history of bitterness, distrust and animosity. It is less than four years, since that episode. Presently, the two ladies have become best of friends. The equation has changed; both of them have come together... They have new, common enemies. I am one of them! Life, indeed, is too short. These two ladies are the monumental example! In Politics, nobody is any body's permanent friend or enemy. A year, there, is incredibly a long time! Any ...

Normally, I do not decide to watch a movie, by the ratings of the critics. Because, I have been mislead by them too many times in the past. On the other hand, whenever I have sneaked into a cinema hall, without anyone having washed my brain, or just by default, I have thoroughly enjoyed that movie. After the depressing one week, last evening, I really wanted to watch a light movie. Of all the Bollywood movies currently being screened around, I chose 'OYE LUCKY ... LUCKY OYE' to ease out my pressure and bring a smile back on my face. After all, the critics had given 3 1/2 stars for it, while all other movies had never made it beyond two. So, once again, I fell prey to the critic's verdict, and, along with my wife, settled down to watch this movie. Till the interval break, neither of us could make where lay the head and where the tail of this 'Oye Lucky'. Instead of easing out my pressure and depression, it added an additional load to it. So, the moment the lights cam...

POLITICS. For many years, I kept guessing: "Why do they call it - 'the art of the possible'?" About four years ago, in the AGM of our Society, I was unanimously appointed as the 'Returning Officer' for the forthcoming Society elections. Frankly, that's the day I first realised that such a term existed, and it meant: the 'Election Officer'! Even though I felt highly honoured, I honestly revealed them about my 'ignorance' in all aspects relating to the Society matters. "Don't worry, we are all there to guide you," almost every one assured me. I became the Returning Officer. And, what an experience that was! What an education! There were two groups in our Society, and they were at loggerheads ever since the formation of our Society. They accused and abused each other, they fought like sworn enemies ... and, it seemed to all of us, that they were interested only in settling their personal scores. When two elephants fought, grass a...