Five years ago, a boy named Jeevan joined our classes. He wasn’t the brightest student in the room, but he was probably the most alert. Every now and then, while I was teaching, a hand would go up. “Sir… that’s a spelling mistake.” Or… “Sir… that sentence isn’t grammatically correct.” I eventually gave him a…
One of the reasons I enjoy conversations with students is that they often reveal stories that never surface inside the classroom. A smile, a casual question, or a few minutes during a break can sometimes open a door that would otherwise remain closed.I am rarely rude with my students. My own teachers taught me the…
There was a time when walking into a bank felt like walking into a battlefield. I would enter armed with facts, rules and confidence. If something was wrong, I would make sure the staff knew it. I was a Chartered Accountant, and somewhere deep inside I believed that if I spoke forcefully enough, quoted enough…
Today’s walk began under a bright evening sun. It was around 5:30 p.m., and the weather was just right—not windy, not hot, simply inviting. I stepped out of my apartment with one small goal in mind: to cross the five-kilometre mark. The first familiar sight was a group of four or five boys playing cricket…
For a long time in my life, I was ignoring myself. The strange thing was, I did not even know it. When I was a little boy, I wanted to be like the Bollywood superheroes I saw on screen—strong enough to knock down a dozen people with a single punch. As I entered my teens,…
JOFO – Joy Of Finding Oneself Bigger dreams have a strange way of motivating us to pursue routine targets. As part of my preparation for a much bigger journey, I had recently restarted a simple habit after a long break—a daily brisk walk. The monsoons had arrived. I have always loved this season. The smell…
I was riding from Kannur to Calicut through Kerala’s beautifully built express highway. Roads like these tempt you to pull down your wrist on the accelerator. The engine creates an almost ecstatic feeling. But I no longer fall for that trap. I believe in riding at a speed that creates a perfect rhythm between the…
It was the 8th of May. I had reached Cochin the previous day. I had some spare time and thought I would just go around. But Kochi traffic can be… intense. That morning, though, I was in a surprisingly good mood. Yes, I was tired. It had already been a long day on the road….
It was a very sunny day. I had reached Shimoga without any trouble—the early morning ride had helped.By 1 p.m., my work was done. Home was the next destination. I had a choice. Ride on through the scorching sun… or wait it out. The rider in me didn’t think twice. I moved. The stretch from…
Right from the time I can recall my memory – it always mattered. It mattered as to who was watching. When I was much younger, if the people who mattered did not watch, I would seek their attention. A glance. A nod. A word of approval. That was enough to feel… seen. And somewhere along…