Gerald D'Cunha

    “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” Theodore Roosevelt   O ne of the most endearing qualities about our former President, (Late) Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, had been his childlike approach to almost everything. Be it as our country’s ‘Missile Man’, or, be it as its most adored President, Dr. Kalam had been   the epitome of simplicity and childlike curiosity. And yes, of human spirit and perseverance, too. So, some days ago, when Dr. Swati Mohan suddenly exploded into limelight, following her feat as Mission Director of ‘Perseverance’ – NASA’s Mars Rover (2020), as an Indian, I felt proud, too. Well, that is not the only reason why I am writing this Post… To me, Dr. Swati Mohan is a global citizen – a star-struck curious-child like the one anywhere under this God’s vast sky – than being an American, Indian or even Indian-American citizen. I am more fascinated by how she got hooked on to the Stars and Planets in space. In other words, l...

C an we remain simple as we achieve great success in life – name, fame, power and position? For most of us, it’s extremely difficult. When we succeed – when name, fame, power and position come – we do change; often, we change beyond recognition! So, whenever I see successful people who have chosen to remain simple in their lifestyles, I feel very inspired. Their choice poses a challenge to me… and, I feel a lot humbled, apart from being inspired. Yes, it’s very difficult to make that choice; it’s very difficult to remain firmly planted on the ground when we are so successful… To me, two such people are our former President Dr. Abdul Kalam and Mrs. Sudha Murthy, the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation and a well-known author. D r. Kalam was born in the temple-town Rameshwaram. He father was a fisherman and a boat-owner, who was also the imam of a local mosque. Dr. Kalam’s mother was a housewife. With seven siblings, his family was poor. As ...

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within." ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross M y earliest memories of watching Imran Khan was sometime in 1980. I had just come to Mumbai from Mangalore. It was, also, the first time I was watching something on TV. Back home, in Mangalore, TV. hadn’t still arrived. Here, at a cousin’s house, there was a B & W TV, and, one day, while a cricket match (India-Pakistan) was being relayed, I happened to see Imran Khan for the first time on TV… He was so dashing, so full of allure, that I asked my cousin “What’s his name?” “He is Imran Khan,” my cousin said, “Girls go crazy over him!” Well, ever since then, even though, like all Indians, I, too, rooted for Indian team, as a player, I just went crazy over Imran Khan… Though I was not a ‘girl’! Yes, Imran K...