Gerald D'Cunha

"Things you may take for granted, other people   are praying for.” Marian Rico Lee “T he stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” This Biblical line has been, often, used to convey, how the things, that we had once taken for granted, have, later, become so important in our lives. Just as they have become, today! Yesterday, while I was talking to my friend, Joe, who lives in my hometown, Mangalore, he reminded me of this line, and, he gave me this familiar account: “There is a grocery store near our house, which has been there since the days of my great grandfather. A local Musulman had started this store, and it had been called after him - “Maplyachi Angad’ (in Konkani) … The Musulman’s store. Some years ago, the area around this shop became a hot property… Swanky malls and super markets mushroomed all around it, and, suddenly, the store of the great-grandfather era looked irreverent and was found rejected by the new...

Thapa was the trusted and loyal servant of Balasaheb Thackeray. People, like you and me, would have never known this fact. We came to know about it only during the final journey of the charismatic Sena-chief. Thapa, who served his master for years on, was now there as one of the Thackeray family-members… He was there on the funeral-carriage through out the final journey… He was there to light the final pyre. I consider it to an incredible honor for a simple soul like Thapa… His life is blessed! When Bruce Wayne (The Batman) was a child, his super-rich parents were killed by a mugger and the child was left alone on the dark streets… He was rescued and raised by the family Butler, Alfred. Every time I watch a Batman movie, I really wonder what would have been Bruce’s life without this physical and moral anchor – this trusted and loyal Butler - Alfred… the ‘Rock’! “A chain is as strong as its weakest link,” it is an age-old saying. The weakness o...

Often, I watch Film-award shows on TV. The Producer or Director or the Actor, who wins an award, in his acceptance speech, goes about thanking those who made it possible. Yes, the ones who really mattered… without whose support, it would not have been possible to achieve the acclaim, the award.  But, I wonder: Is it really possible to thank on stage ‘everyone’ who mattered? The make-up staff, or Spot Boys, or the Catering guys, or the drivers who ferry you up and down with your insane schedule… What about those faceless ‘extras’? The maid at home who ensures that you are not caused any inconvenience? And, there are many, many more… who matter, who hold the wheel together and keep it going … who are the ‘unsung heroes’ in your success story… And, yes, you just don’t remember them, on that glittering stage, when you accept your ‘trophy’! Life is a story. Yes, my life is a beautiful story… and, everyone here matters… to make my Life story a great suc...

When I saw my this month’s Internet-usage bill, I was rudely surprised. For years, I have been blogging and I do check my e-mails or send them. I have been managing with some basic schemes… Just need-based.  Just some days ago, someone from the other end had ‘tempted’ me with a scheme that had made sense to me. I said, “Go ahead”.  So, I was expecting a hike of around hundred rupees this month. But, it is more than twice my old out-go! “No way,” I reacted in my mind, “When did I use Internet like this?” I called up the call-center. And, the lady on the other end patiently explained to me that it was just a one-time advance payment… and, that from the next month onward, it would be as promised.  I dropped my resistance, immediately. “Why didn’t you tell me about this ‘one-time-something’ before?" I could have yelled. But, I decided to drop even that. In stead, I decided to ‘drop’ the cheque, immediately… Yes, in the drop-box!...

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...

I take almost everything for granted… I never think of the bus driver or the motor man of the train When he lands me safely at my destination… But, when there is accident, it is always ‘he’… He did it! I press the button, and the lamps glow, I turn the tap on, there the water flows, I come home, hungry, there is food on my table… A million cables are laid under the ground And another million wires are over my head… I do not know, what they are for, And who minds them and when... But, each time there is a black out in the town, I know a hell lot of care goes behind all that.. The watchman may be old and sick… He remains awake the whole night, So that I can have my sound sleep.. A million doctors, a million engineers, Million teachers, a million armed men, A million vendors, a million well-wishers, A million stars… a million clouds, a million waves of the sea… A million thoughts and dreams, a million hopes and despairs… Yes, all … all of...