Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Pradeep Nanda T oday is 2 nd Jan. Every 1 st Jan morning, I call my mom to wish her a happy new-year. And, she leaves me with mixed feelings… The New-year in 1983 had come on a Saturday. My dad was 57, then. Despite the meager means at his disposal, he was, to the boot, a fun-loving soul… He dank like a fish, smoked like a chimney… and he sang, danced and made merry like a Brazilian … Yes, to him, ‘tomorrow’ was, always, another-day! So, he had partied hard right through the Christmas week till Saturday, the New-year day. The next day was Sunday. Mom and he both had dressed up to leave for the Sunday mass. But, then, as they were about to leave, dad told my mom that he wasn't feeling good and, hence, to proceed alone for the mass. That’s, really, unusual of him. However, not wanting to be late for the mass, my mom left. When she was home, she found my dad on the same sofa, in the same sitting position… But, he was no more! It was a mas...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty “Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.” - Carl Jung T he Dawn Club had completed twenty-five years in 2014. I had been telling all my well-wishers that I had this dream to build an institution – THE DAWN CLUB CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE – to carry forward the work I had started twenty-five years ago. Yes, to carry it forward as an institution and leave an enduring legacy. Though I had been passionately talking about it to scores of my well-wishers, who were keen to support me all the way, something seemed to hold me back… I would find it mysterious to figure it out… Was it a fear deep down… the familiar fear of failure… What if I fail? Was it the lack of clarity of vision? Was it the lack of clearly-defined ‘product’… What we wanted to offer as an institution? Was it the lack of a very animated and equally-passionate team? Was it de...

Like birds, let’s leave behind what we don’t need to carry – Grudges, Sadness, Pain, Fear and Regrets. Life is beautiful… Enjoy it. Happy New-Year .    Of several New-Year greetings that I have received so far, this one made the maximums impact on my heart… It, also, made the maximum sense to my head! I was extremely happy when I saw this greeting on my phone. The sender, a young girl, was my student two years ago, and, presently, pursues her studies in Chartered Accountancy. Life has not been easy for her family. Her father had deserted them when this girl was too small and her mother too young. The mother had neither the means nor the education – not even a proper roof over their head - to make both ends meet. Still, she struggled, with great dignity, to give her only girl a good education, and raise her up with fine values. It was tough for them not only financially… but also emotionally. And, because the girl has been...