Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Alwyn Mathias S ome days ago, I was returning from Pune. The moment I got into the Shivneri bus, I saw a young college-girl, who had already settled in one of the front seats, reading what looked like a very-fat novel. While I was getting off the bus, here in Mumbai, I saw her still reading it! I thought of the two slim books I had tucked into my hand bag… I, always, keep with me a book, magazine or a newspaper with me while travelling. In fact, you get to pick up a free newspaper while travelling by Shivneri… But, on this journey of more than three and half hours, I did not read a single line… yes, either from the two books I was carrying or from the newspaper… The sight of the young college-girl reading, right as I stepped into the bus, hadn’t inspired me to take out one of my books or the newspaper… I just preferred to gaze out of the window or glide through my quiet thoughts or simply take some nap… I hardly, even, spoke to my wife who sat next to me… I...

Pic.: Elaine Pereira W hen I posted my last write-up, late last night, I didn't realize that I was minutes away from Amithabh Bachchan’s 72 nd birthday! It is, therefore, purely a co-incidence, that I am writing something on or relating to him, now... By now, I do not have to repeat, I suppose, how much I have been admiring Amitabh Bachchan in my life. I have written this before, and I  wouldn't  mind doing it again: It was one afternoon, when I was a ninth-standard student in my school in Mangalore. During the lunch break, while flipping through the pages of one of the local magazines, I read about this tall, new film-star by the name - Amitabh Bachchan. I must have been 15, then. Now, after 41 years or so, when I look back, I have only one thing constant in my mind: My admiration for Amitabh Bachchan has only increased as each year rolled by! If you ask me what makes me admire Amitabh Bachchan so much and for so long, I might...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty My   mother   said to me, 'If you are a soldier, you   will   become a general.  If you are a monk, you will become the Pope.'  Instead, I was a painter, and became Picasso. Pablo Picasso W ell, I was a teacher... and, I became Gerald... aka – Gerry. What else can I say? At the seat of every mother’s heart, there is this deep desire to see her child do well in life... to succeed. I don’t remember my mother ever telling me anything like Picasso’s mother did... What I still remember about her is: -          She never ever gave us – her little-growing-children - the feeling that there  wasn't  enough at home... Where our next meal would come from... How our school fees would be paid... How the guests would be served and accommodated... When would our drought end... -          The love and fea...

Pic.: Fr. Reginald Pinto For a change, let me divide the mankind into only two kinds: Less reactive and more reactive. And, if I am the author of this division, I must know to which kind I belong! Frankly, there are some areas in my life where I see myself more reactive, but they are few. Gratefully, there are many, many areas, I am happy to say, that I am less reactive. None of us has become reactive overnight. It was a habit we had picked up early in life, probably when we were very small… by watching those nearest to us… Yes, we began to imitate those who we looked up to in life… We saw them reacting, and we thought it was an acceptable behavior… and, when we did it repeatedly, it got reinforced in us… What we observed, liked and accepted became our habit, our character, our personality… and, something that shaped our destiny. We can see this, right around us, with our naked eyes. We, the gown-ups, may have our differenc...

Last night, I couldn’t watch the full match – India V Sri Lanka finals in West Indies. India had to score 202; and, though it was a small score from Sri Lanka, the pitch and the tight bowling from Lankan bowlers had made the task tough for India. I watched the first ten overs, and, then, went off to sleep. What had happened finally, I learnt through my FB friends, this morning… when everyone was showering praises upon praises on M.S. Dhoni. Yes, that’s the time, I got curious and checked on YouTube as to what had really happened. My admiration for Dhoni grew  hundred notches higher, instantly! What a man… What a player… What a captain… What poise… What clarity… What a die-hard determination! How does this man maintain his cool, his clarity? How does he manage to hold his nerves when everything and anyone around him - the entire world, in deed – is on fire, unable to even breath, see or think? I am really amazed, awe-struck! Not...

Is it important for parents to tell their children – little-ones or young-ones - where they (parents) go and when they will be back home? What about the children? Is it important for them to tell their parents where they go and when they will be back home? I am a parent – a father of a young son. Let’s assume, as I am his father, I did not think it was important at all to tell my son, and he always saw me leaving home without telling where I went or when I would be back – how would he think it is important for him to do it every time he left home? Now, normally, people at my home know where I am headed – my workplace. But, if, during the day, I have a different agenda, a different destination to visit, then, I think it is important I let them know about it… The idea is: we never know what may happen to us outside - when, where and how! So, I emphasize: It ‘is’ important for me as a father to let my young son know, where I wil...

The most effective way of teaching someone to be kind is by being kind myself.  If I keep my word, respect my appointments, do not backbite… then, it is quite easy for me to teach the virtue of these things to others. In fact, there is no need for me to teach, if I really practice what I intend to preach… The other person sees what I do, how I behave… and, he likes me for that; he trusts me… respects me. If this is the wavelength from which I expect him to learn from me, he would. Not otherwise… No one really likes to learn from a hollow person… One who doesn’t practice what he preaches. I still remember all those people – some teachers, some relatives, some friends and some neighbors – who I had immensely liked for some of their fine behavior… I would come home and talk excitedly about them, their words and deeds, to my parents, particularly my mother. And, yes, she would listen to me with apt attention and great delight… ...