Gerald D'Cunha

“Silence is the language of God; all else is poor translation.” Rumi   E ver since I remember, I have been a shy, anxious and quiet ‘kid’. I said ‘kid’… because, that’s what I am, still… I am still a shy, anxious and quiet ‘kid’! And, the only reason I took to writing my private notes was to deal with my private ghosts… I felt relived after I expressed my feelings in words… I felt good about myself. Healed and empowered.   Rumi says, ‘Silence is the language of God; all else is poor translation.” Every time I come across a   great   song, painting, composition, speech,   film, novel, a piece of architecture or design – even a lovely spread of food – whatever that man creates out of nowhere – yes, every time I behold it, I become only convinced, that everything has come from a quiet space… In the beginning, there was nothing… It was quiet and dark everywhere… And God said, ‘Let there be light’ - and the Sun, the Moon and the Stars came. I haven’...

“If it doesn’t challenge you,  it doesn’t change you.” Fred Devito “S ir, are you scared of Corona Virus?” asked my student, Vikram* while talking to me over the phone. After being in a lockdown for over two months, and knowing clearly that it’s been extended for a month more – seeing clearly, 24/7, what is happening all across the world - here is my boy, asking me casually, “Sir, are you scared of Corona Virus?” “Yes” or “No”? “What about you?” I threw the question back at Vikram. “No Sir,” my student replied without even waiting to catch his next breath. “Where are you now, beta?” I asked even though I knew where he was. “At home, Sir.” “At home, where?” “In my bedroom.” “Is the AC on?” “Yes Sir.” “Where is brother?” “In his room, Sir.” “Mom and dad?” “Mom is in the hall room, dad in his room.” “All the ACs are on? The fridge is well-stocked?” By now, my boy knew, that I was being sarcastic. He jus...