Musings on a Saturday morning

Is this machine making my life easier like they said it would? Or am I just drawn to if for the lack of something better to do right now? So, I sit and stare out aimlessly at times ….is this what boredom actually is ? Through large panes of glass that definitely need a wash .. I press my nose up against windows that crave to be opened I stand on the balcony and breathe - my only real connection with the outside world I suddenly think of Mandela – Twenty-seven years in solitary confinement He endured the obvious suffering calmly and emerged stronger A young soccer team stranded in an underground cave – seventeen days of misery, torture & fear The rescue was a miracle against all odds The boys then emerged - relieved and smiling but scarred for life The very thought makes me shudder My claustrophobia would have got the better of me And here we are- frustrated after a month Seemingly suffocating in helplessness How weak some of us are! How very strong some others! The television has begun to jar on my nerves And the newspapers even more Sensationalism rules and spreads panic. STOP IT . And what do I see when I peer out, ever so often? Large car parks with a few dusty cars therein No one fighting and circling to find that elusive empty slot. Delivery boys from the supermarket next door going about their daily chores All masked, gloved and cycling – they toil on bravely And then there are the food delivery boys as well Speeding along and thankful for empty roads - and safety Red, blue and black boxes strapped firmly on their motorcycles Feeding the multitudes who are too bored or lazy to cook Pigeons in droves, cooing & fluttering on the pavement below And every now and then one is devoured by cats on the prowl The circle of life – the law of the jungle Then there are those determined to break the rules I spot the regulars – refusing to stay home - they creep around corners Hoping and praying not to be seen – but I see them! It’s a silly pastime I have begun to enjoy And I wonder when they will be spotted & caught and held accountable Morning tea- breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner – snacks in between Food and drinks are shortening the day – not right I know Am I even giving my exercise a chance! What do I do now? Is it lunch time already?

Musings on a Saturday morning

Is this machine making my life easier like they said it would? Or am I just drawn to if for the lack of something better to do right now? So, I sit and stare out aimlessly at times ….is this what boredom actually is ? Through large panes of glass that definitely need a wash .. I press my nose up against windows that crave to be opened I stand on the balcony and breathe - my only real connection with the outside world I suddenly think of Mandela – Twenty-seven years in solitary confinement He endured the obvious suffering calmly and emerged stronger A young soccer team stranded in an underground cave – seventeen days of misery, torture & fear The rescue was a miracle against all odds The boys then emerged - relieved and smiling but scarred for life The very thought makes me shudder My claustrophobia would have got the better of me And here we are- frustrated after a month Seemingly suffocating in helplessness How weak some of us are! How very strong some others! The television has begun to jar on my nerves And the newspapers even more Sensationalism rules and spreads panic. STOP IT . And what do I see when I peer out, ever so often? Large car parks with a few dusty cars therein No one fighting and circling to find that elusive empty slot. Delivery boys from the supermarket next door going about their daily chores All masked, gloved and cycling – they toil on bravely And then there are the food delivery boys as well Speeding along and thankful for empty roads - and safety Red, blue and black boxes strapped firmly on their motorcycles Feeding the multitudes who are too bored or lazy to cook Pigeons in droves, cooing & fluttering on the pavement below And every now and then one is devoured by cats on the prowl The circle of life – the law of the jungle Then there are those determined to break the rules I spot the regulars – refusing to stay home - they creep around corners Hoping and praying not to be seen – but I see them! It’s a silly pastime I have begun to enjoy And I wonder when they will be spotted & caught and held accountable Morning tea- breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner – snacks in between Food and drinks are shortening the day – not right I know Am I even giving my exercise a chance! What do I do now? Is it lunch time already?

Speech at an online Investiture at The Millennium school, Dubai

MY SPEECH AT AN ONLINE INVESTITURE OF SCHOOL PREFECTS AT THE MILLENNIUM SCHOOL , DUBAI - SURELY A FIRST . PRINCIPAL, HEADMISTRESS, PARENTS, MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY AND DEAR PUPILS NEVER IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION DID I FORSEE ANYTHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE . COINCIDENTALY, I THINK IT WAS AT THE LAST GRADUATION THAT I MENTIONED SOMETHING - AND I QUOTE - ‘’ NO ONE HAS A CLUE ABOUT HOW LIFE WILL PAN OUT IN THE YEARS AHEAD – IN FACT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE TOMORROW ,SO MAKE THE BEST OF THE PRESENT MOMENT ’’ . IT SEEMS JUST LIKE YESTERDAY WHEN WE WERE GOING ABOUT OUR BUSINESS - WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD – CRIBBING ABOUT TRAFFIC, OFTEN IRRITATED WITH WORK, UPSET WITH COLLEAGUES, DISCUSSING PRICES , AND ANGRY ABOUT DELAYS AND SUDDENLY HERE WE ALL ARE – AT HOME – SITTING BEFORE MACHINES AND GOING AHEAD WITH LIFE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY , WHILE CRAVING TO BE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN . WORDS AND PHRASES LIKE PANDEMIC, COVID, LOCKDOWN , QUARANTINE , VENTILATOR , PATIENT ZERO, COMMUNITY SPREAD & SOCIAL DISTANCING, ARE ALL TRENDING . BUT HUMAN BEINGS ARE RESILIANT CREATURES – WE DIFINITELY ARE. MILLIONS LIKE YOU AND ME IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE ARE WORKING AND STUDYING FROM HOME AND GRADUALLY WE ARE GETTING BETTER AT WHAT WE ARE DOING. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY AND WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BUT WE WILL OVERCOME AND WE WILL SURVIVE AND COME OUT STRONGER AT THE OTHER END – THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TELL OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES EVERY DAY . GO OUT AND SPREAD THIS MESSAGE . OMTIMISM IS THE NEED OT THE HOUR . BARELY A FEW WEEKS HAD GONE BY AND THERE WERE A PROLIFERATION OF NEW SONGS, KEEP FIT VIDEOS, JOKES, STORIES AND , CARTOONS DOING THE ROUNDS . WHATSAPP MESSAGES INCREASED BY THE HUNDREDS AND SUDDENLY EVERYONE HAD FOUND A NEW SPARK OF CREATIVITY & ENERGY. I FOR MY PART HAVE COOKED, HAVE BAKED , HAVE PLAYED MY GUITAR AND DONE SOME WRITING ON MY BLOG. I AM SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING INTERESTING AS WELL . YOU MUST DO SO TO RELAX . IT IS IMPORTANT . AROUND THE WORLD , DONATIONS ARE POURING IN FOR THE AUTHORITIES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND THAT’S SO GOOD , GOVERMENTS ARE RISING TO THE OCCASION AND DOING THEIR BEST WHILE EVERYONE RACES TO FIND THE VACCINE. YES WE WILL . WE , HERE IN THE UAE , ARE VERY BLESSED TO BE IN A SAFE COUNTRY, LOOKED AFTER & PROTECTED. FOOD AND COMMODITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN PLENTY AND HEALTH CARE IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY . WE EXPATS MUST THANK THE RULERS OF THE UAE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE AND FOLLOW THE RULES FOR OUR OWN GOOD . BUT HERE IS SOMETHING - IF YOU PLAY CLOSE ATTENTION - AMIDST ALL THIS MADNESS AND MAYHEM , SANITY IS BEGINNING TO PREVAIL. PEOPLE ARE PRAYING MORE, FAMILIES ARE SPENDING QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, HOBBIES AND SIMPLE PASSTIMES ARE SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY ONCE AGAIN. WE ARE ALL SUDDENLY MORE PEACEFUL AND MORE CARING . PEOPLE ARE EXERCISING AT HOME, AND EVEN FATHERS ARE HELPING OUT WITH HOUSE - WORK WHEN POSSIBLE. I HAVE AN EXCLAMATION HERE . LIFE HAS SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT AND THE RUSHING TO WORK, SPEEDING ON THE ROADS AND CHARGING INTO MALLS TO BUY THINGS WE OFTEN DON’T NEED HAS COME TO A STANDSTILL – THE AIR IS MORE PURE , THE QUALITY OF WATER IN RIVERS HAS IMPROVED – OUR WORLD IS TRANSFORMING & RECUPERATING . WE HAVE BEGUN TO CONNECT WITH OUR INNER SELVES FOR A CHANGE AND REALIZE THE TRUE MEANING OF FREEDOM AND LIFE . ALL THAT ASIDE , HEARTYY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU PUPILS AND PARENTS . THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY WHICH YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY STRIVED FOR AND ASPIRED TOWARDS . SO FORGET THESE TROUBLED TIMES AND ENJOY THE MOMENT . THIS IS A MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE AND IT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TO BE PROUD OF – LET NO ONE OR ANYTHING TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU . THIS INVESTITURE WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL AS BEING DIFFERENT AND CREATIVE – . IN FACT THIS PERIOD IN TIME WILL BE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND YOUNG PUPILS WILL READ WITH WONDER AND AMAZEMENT ABOUT HOW WE MANAGED THE CRISIS . YOU YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN – AND ALL OF US WILL BE IN A NEW WORLD AFTER THIS IS OVER – IT IS GOING TO BE OUR MORAL DUTY TO HELP EACH OTHER TO DO BETTER AND TO RISE STRONGER AND MORE RESILIANT FROM THE SO CALLED ASHES . WE NEED TO PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES, FORGET OUR PETTY QUARRELS , AND WORK FOR THE GOOD OF HUMANITY IN ANY SMALL WAY WE CAN . YOU NEED TO LEAD THE SCHOOL FORWARD AND UPWARD LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT LEADING, MENTORING, GUIDING , INSPIRING , SPUPPORTING , SETTING AN EXAMPLE AND WHAT BETTER TIME THAN NOW . BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD THAT CAN BE DONE BY ALL OF US BUT SADLY WE ALL FIND EXCUSES NOT TO DO IT . WE ARE SO WRAPPED UP IN OUR LIVES , ONLY THINKING ABOUT OUR NEEDS & WELFARE . DO YOU THINK WE COULD DO BETTER ? SO WHETHER YOU ARE ON THE PHONE , OR ON ANY OTHER FORM OF SOCIAL MEDIA THESE DAY – DO YOUR BEST TO SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE AND DO IT BRAVELY. PARENTS – YOU NEED SPECIAL PRAISE – YOUR WARDS HAVE MADE THE CUT AND YOUR INFLUENCE, LOVE AND ADVICE OVER THE YEARS MUST SURELY HAVE IMPACTED THEIR CHARACTER AND UPBRINGING . CONGRATULATIONS . EDUCATIONISTS IN GENERAL AND TEACHERS IN PARTICULAR- YOU ARE IN THE LIME LIGHT AND LIKE DOCTORS AND NURSES YOU ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO HELP SOCIETY HEAL AND MOVE FORWARD – TEACHERS I SALUTE YOU . SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – THIS TOO SHALL PASS AND WE SHALL SMILE , AND WE SHALL SING AND WE SHALL CELEBRATE BUT TILL THEN STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY HAPPY – LET US ALL CONTINUE TO PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION ON US AND OUR LOVED ONES GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Speech at an online Investiture at The Millennium school, Dubai

MY SPEECH AT AN ONLINE INVESTITURE OF SCHOOL PREFECTS AT THE MILLENNIUM SCHOOL , DUBAI - SURELY A FIRST . PRINCIPAL, HEADMISTRESS, PARENTS, MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY AND DEAR PUPILS NEVER IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION DID I FORSEE ANYTHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE . COINCIDENTALY, I THINK IT WAS AT THE LAST GRADUATION THAT I MENTIONED SOMETHING - AND I QUOTE - ‘’ NO ONE HAS A CLUE ABOUT HOW LIFE WILL PAN OUT IN THE YEARS AHEAD – IN FACT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE TOMORROW ,SO MAKE THE BEST OF THE PRESENT MOMENT ’’ . IT SEEMS JUST LIKE YESTERDAY WHEN WE WERE GOING ABOUT OUR BUSINESS - WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD – CRIBBING ABOUT TRAFFIC, OFTEN IRRITATED WITH WORK, UPSET WITH COLLEAGUES, DISCUSSING PRICES , AND ANGRY ABOUT DELAYS AND SUDDENLY HERE WE ALL ARE – AT HOME – SITTING BEFORE MACHINES AND GOING AHEAD WITH LIFE TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY , WHILE CRAVING TO BE OUT AND ABOUT AGAIN . WORDS AND PHRASES LIKE PANDEMIC, COVID, LOCKDOWN , QUARANTINE , VENTILATOR , PATIENT ZERO, COMMUNITY SPREAD & SOCIAL DISTANCING, ARE ALL TRENDING . BUT HUMAN BEINGS ARE RESILIANT CREATURES – WE DIFINITELY ARE. MILLIONS LIKE YOU AND ME IN ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE ARE WORKING AND STUDYING FROM HOME AND GRADUALLY WE ARE GETTING BETTER AT WHAT WE ARE DOING. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY AND WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BUT WE WILL OVERCOME AND WE WILL SURVIVE AND COME OUT STRONGER AT THE OTHER END – THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TELL OURSELVES AND OUR LOVED ONES EVERY DAY . GO OUT AND SPREAD THIS MESSAGE . OMTIMISM IS THE NEED OT THE HOUR . BARELY A FEW WEEKS HAD GONE BY AND THERE WERE A PROLIFERATION OF NEW SONGS, KEEP FIT VIDEOS, JOKES, STORIES AND , CARTOONS DOING THE ROUNDS . WHATSAPP MESSAGES INCREASED BY THE HUNDREDS AND SUDDENLY EVERYONE HAD FOUND A NEW SPARK OF CREATIVITY & ENERGY. I FOR MY PART HAVE COOKED, HAVE BAKED , HAVE PLAYED MY GUITAR AND DONE SOME WRITING ON MY BLOG. I AM SURE ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING INTERESTING AS WELL . YOU MUST DO SO TO RELAX . IT IS IMPORTANT . AROUND THE WORLD , DONATIONS ARE POURING IN FOR THE AUTHORITIES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED AND THAT’S SO GOOD , GOVERMENTS ARE RISING TO THE OCCASION AND DOING THEIR BEST WHILE EVERYONE RACES TO FIND THE VACCINE. YES WE WILL . WE , HERE IN THE UAE , ARE VERY BLESSED TO BE IN A SAFE COUNTRY, LOOKED AFTER & PROTECTED. FOOD AND COMMODITIES ARE AVAILABLE IN PLENTY AND HEALTH CARE IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY . WE EXPATS MUST THANK THE RULERS OF THE UAE FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE AND FOLLOW THE RULES FOR OUR OWN GOOD . BUT HERE IS SOMETHING - IF YOU PLAY CLOSE ATTENTION - AMIDST ALL THIS MADNESS AND MAYHEM , SANITY IS BEGINNING TO PREVAIL. PEOPLE ARE PRAYING MORE, FAMILIES ARE SPENDING QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, HOBBIES AND SIMPLE PASSTIMES ARE SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY ONCE AGAIN. WE ARE ALL SUDDENLY MORE PEACEFUL AND MORE CARING . PEOPLE ARE EXERCISING AT HOME, AND EVEN FATHERS ARE HELPING OUT WITH HOUSE - WORK WHEN POSSIBLE. I HAVE AN EXCLAMATION HERE . LIFE HAS SLOWED DOWN QUITE A BIT AND THE RUSHING TO WORK, SPEEDING ON THE ROADS AND CHARGING INTO MALLS TO BUY THINGS WE OFTEN DON’T NEED HAS COME TO A STANDSTILL – THE AIR IS MORE PURE , THE QUALITY OF WATER IN RIVERS HAS IMPROVED – OUR WORLD IS TRANSFORMING & RECUPERATING . WE HAVE BEGUN TO CONNECT WITH OUR INNER SELVES FOR A CHANGE AND REALIZE THE TRUE MEANING OF FREEDOM AND LIFE . ALL THAT ASIDE , HEARTYY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU PUPILS AND PARENTS . THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL DAY WHICH YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY STRIVED FOR AND ASPIRED TOWARDS . SO FORGET THESE TROUBLED TIMES AND ENJOY THE MOMENT . THIS IS A MILESTONE IN YOUR LIFE AND IT IS AN ACHIEVEMENT TO BE PROUD OF – LET NO ONE OR ANYTHING TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU . THIS INVESTITURE WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL AS BEING DIFFERENT AND CREATIVE – . IN FACT THIS PERIOD IN TIME WILL BE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS IN THE YEARS AHEAD AND YOUNG PUPILS WILL READ WITH WONDER AND AMAZEMENT ABOUT HOW WE MANAGED THE CRISIS . YOU YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN – AND ALL OF US WILL BE IN A NEW WORLD AFTER THIS IS OVER – IT IS GOING TO BE OUR MORAL DUTY TO HELP EACH OTHER TO DO BETTER AND TO RISE STRONGER AND MORE RESILIANT FROM THE SO CALLED ASHES . WE NEED TO PUT ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES, FORGET OUR PETTY QUARRELS , AND WORK FOR THE GOOD OF HUMANITY IN ANY SMALL WAY WE CAN . YOU NEED TO LEAD THE SCHOOL FORWARD AND UPWARD LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT LEADING, MENTORING, GUIDING , INSPIRING , SPUPPORTING , SETTING AN EXAMPLE AND WHAT BETTER TIME THAN NOW . BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD THAT CAN BE DONE BY ALL OF US BUT SADLY WE ALL FIND EXCUSES NOT TO DO IT . WE ARE SO WRAPPED UP IN OUR LIVES , ONLY THINKING ABOUT OUR NEEDS & WELFARE . DO YOU THINK WE COULD DO BETTER ? SO WHETHER YOU ARE ON THE PHONE , OR ON ANY OTHER FORM OF SOCIAL MEDIA THESE DAY – DO YOUR BEST TO SPREAD POSITIVITY AND LOVE AND DO IT BRAVELY. PARENTS – YOU NEED SPECIAL PRAISE – YOUR WARDS HAVE MADE THE CUT AND YOUR INFLUENCE, LOVE AND ADVICE OVER THE YEARS MUST SURELY HAVE IMPACTED THEIR CHARACTER AND UPBRINGING . CONGRATULATIONS . EDUCATIONISTS IN GENERAL AND TEACHERS IN PARTICULAR- YOU ARE IN THE LIME LIGHT AND LIKE DOCTORS AND NURSES YOU ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY TO HELP SOCIETY HEAL AND MOVE FORWARD – TEACHERS I SALUTE YOU . SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN – THIS TOO SHALL PASS AND WE SHALL SMILE , AND WE SHALL SING AND WE SHALL CELEBRATE BUT TILL THEN STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY HAPPY – LET US ALL CONTINUE TO PRAY TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR HIS PROTECTION ON US AND OUR LOVED ONES GOD BLESS YOU ALL

Childhood memories

When I think about my childhood, and having two rather strong women at home- my aunt and my mother - I am reminded of a number of incidents – some fun and some a trifle strange and annoying that made no sense at that time – in fact they still don’t but then, as a young kid, who are you to argue. Well this is about my pre- teen life. I enjoyed doing many of the things I mention in this yarn but there were also some that I quite detested. (Post teen was quite a different tale …… will keep that for another time). My uncle was a happy go lucky gentleman, so he hardly figures in any of my stories. Those were the days when comments like – “little boys like you should be seen but not heard’’ were often used. Really? But listen to some more … all very vivid memories. I presume I was short for my age and very skinny so I was stuffed with spoons and spoons of Ferradol apparently because someone had remarked that “I could possibly be having a serious vitamin deficiency” . There was no shortage of quacks. Now Ferradol – if you have ever sampled it, is thick, gooey and not very palatable either but I was made to have it – to put on weight. I never did. Another thing which I was made to have by the mug full was “Complan”. It was supposed to be a “trusted, energy packed, vitamin enriched, complete food” – which made one grow tall. The one I was given was banana flavoured. It didn’t taste anything like bananas to me, if that helps, and I never grew as tall as the boy on the packet. The third was egg flip which was made with raw egg, nutmeg, milk and sugar – I was given this every second day, and this was followed by Seven seas cod-liver oil capsules – all to boost my immune system. Not sure why this did not work on me but what I do know is that I had measles, chicken pox, mumps & pneumonia once each and a sore throat, influenza, a cold, cough and fever quite often. For this reason, I was not permitted to buy the crushed ice topped with coloured syrup that everyone else in our colony loved and relished regularly – presumably if I did, I would get cholera which was the only disease that somehow spared me . I did argue that it did no harm to anyone else and hollered and threw tantrums, but no one bothered to listen. Needless to add, all the above never worked the miracle they were supposed to. People continued to remark as to how small I was and in return I wished them the worst, under my breath of course. I also hated it when friends came over and said, “isn’t Michael very thin and short for his age – why don’t you give him something like Complan or Ferradol”. That was it – then the conversation was only about how stubborn I was and how I troubled my mother when she gave it to me. There was a departmental store in the city and whenever we went there, I was given a coin to put in and take my weight. I remember that the needle hardly moved, and I was under weight for years. Then there was this thing about dressing. For some obscure reason I was never allowed to wear a belt or have a back pocket on my trousers. I now wonder why I didn’t question that odd decision. I vaguely remember something about little boys did not need belts and back pockets looked loaferish. God forbid I put my hands in my side pockets either – that was considered ill mannered! Food was another of my pet peeves – or to put that in the correct perspective – vegetables were. I hated any vegetable that was slimy, so be it brinjals, lady fingers, or drumstick – the day they were cooked were among the worst of my life. Those vegetables coupled with salad - comprising mainly tomatoes and you had one sick looking child – me! Such vegetables almost made me bring up and they refused to go down my throat. The more I tried to be a good little boy and swallow them, the more I almost gagged and felt worse. I once threatened to starve myself to death and was smacked for it. I enjoyed the days we had dinner in the garden though – I don’t know if you guessed this rightly or not. On those days I served myself very well and while everyone was busy talking, I would throw the vegetables to all corners of the garden – at times I would feed our dog ‘’Lovey’’. On a few occasions “Lovey’’ would refuse to eat what I had thrown and then I would get caught but it was well worth the risk. I would then be given the famous lecture about how children were starving all over the world and here I was wasting blah blah blah. I took it in from one ear and out of the other. I guess I was quite incorrigible. House painting was something I did not mind but it was tiring – my aunt loved to paint the house before Christmas. Her ‘piece de resistance’ was the mantel piece which she took immense pride in painting herself. (Some of you younger ones may need to look this up). It was given a marble finish and I was her designated assistant. This took time and patience and by the time we were done it was usually late in the evening having started early in the morning. Then came the cleaning of the hands with turpentine – quite a painful exercise – no pun intended - by the time I was done, all my friends who had been playing outside all day had already gone home and I was left smelling like a rag dipped in oil and paint. To say I would be off mood by then would be putting it mildly. There was more painting to be done as well – there was a man who came in to do this - doors, chairs, the dado, miscellaneous boxes, the good old meat safe and the like. Being the only boy in the family- (there were two female cousins too) helping with the painting became quite a big pre-Christmas chore which lasted for a couple of days. I was also involved in the making of the Christmas cakes – my job being the mincing of the ‘peels’ in the old-fashioned mincer. My hands often ached. I was then responsible for keeping watch when they were put out to dry in the sun and keeping away the birds – especially hungry crows. Needless to add, I was tempted by an item called “petha” which incidentally is still one of my favourites. Every little while a piece or two would be put in my mouth and so I did not complain. I guess I was one of the hungry crows. What is Christmas without a tree? Back then we did not buy tress like we do now – instead we found a well rounded branch, dried it out for a few weeks and then decorated it with snow made of a concoction of soap suds along with plenty of decorative items and lights etc ? Sourcing that branch was a job I enjoyed. We had a house help and so he and I would scour the neighbourhood on many an afternoon till we spotted the right branch. He would then cut it down and we would take it home to dry. At times, smaller branches were tied on with twine or wire to add volume. I would like to believe that I was one of the decorators but more often than not, while others were decorating, I was busy helping myself to the goodies that had been prepared and stored for Christmas. Swinging was something I enjoyed – the only problem being that there were no swings in the vicinity. Hence, I made up for that by swinging on the metal gate. As it was quite large, all that was required was for me to give it one push, jump on and out it went in a wide arc. My mother saw this one fine day and told me not do it if not I would break my head. That did not deter me one bit and so I continued for some months by holding on tighter. Then she dropped a bombshell – If I hung around near the gate, someone (a bogey man) would kidnap and take me away. That somehow struck a chord and I imagined being taken away in a sack and held captive in a dark forest so the swinging on the gate stopped once and for all. I would receive nice gifts on birthdays and festivals but would like to share about two which fascinated me. One was a pair of boxing gloves which I still have. I got them as a gift from my grandfather when I was four years old. They were put away at that time and I finally got hold of them a few years later when I was around nine. I was crazy about boxing and made sure to wear them daily and box anything and anyone who visited – mother, aunt, uncle and young cousins included. Yes, I was often in trouble and was told in no uncertain terms that I would grow up to be a bully if I continued acting wild . Another was an air gun. I was presented with this fantastic gift when I was around eight years old, by my grandfather once again and I was thrilled. The gun was put away in the cupboard and I never saw it again. Apparently when my mother and I were discussing this matter about thirty years later she told me she had given it away at that time itself in case I shot someone in the eye with the pellets! By the way, we had hens, a cock bird and a few ducks for some time. Many neighbours had a few too . The ducks and I seemed to get on quite well. They ate all the left-over food which I fed them as soon as I got back from school in the afternoon and then, quacking away, wallowed in a ditch which I would fill with buckets of water day after day. The cockbird who I named Jonny was a wicked, revengeful, long- legged fellow. I once kicked him by mistake while running. Thereafter whenever he saw me, he charged and tried to nip my ankles or toes if they were exposed. The hens were sweet and every morning, I would feed them before going to school and then collect the eggs which they laid in the hedge in the compound. A friend and neighbour also had a large red cockbird and both these birds would get into fights and peck the hell out of each other (Phillip Pereira are you reading this?) I enjoyed these simple pastimes and spent many a lovely afternoon looking after the birds. Not sure if this last point will resonate with any of you. Often when adults came visiting, my cousins, Annette, Penny and I were put on display. Much before they arrived, we were dressed and ready. Our manners were brushed up and we were told to wish aunty and uncle loudly and clearly – I was told not to mutter under my breath while wishing. We were also warned not to eat up the snacks and politely refuse when offered. Then came the worst part – the entertainment. We either had to sing a song or say a poem for the guests. The more we would remonstrate the angrier my aunt would get and warn us that we would not get dinner if we acted stupid! My cousins usually sang a song called ‘Sisters”- the lyrics were – “Sisters – Sisters – There were never such devoted sisters”! I would laugh and make faces at them from behind while they sang. I would then be called upon to either sing or recite a poem. No amount of last-minute protests would be accepted and so I would go through the motions in disgust. My irritation was not lost on the elders in the family and once the guests left I was scolded and told what a horribly spoilt child I was .Coming to think of it, those on the spot variety programmes have stood me in good stead indeed. As is sit at home locked in due to the present state of affairs, I yearn for those carefree days. I also feel I was a stubborn little boy – not very but quiet! However what I learnt from my mother and aunt are things I will always remember and be thankful for .

Childhood memories

When I think about my childhood, and having two rather strong women at home- my aunt and my mother - I am reminded of a number of incidents – some fun and some a trifle strange and annoying that made no sense at that time – in fact they still don’t but then, as a young kid, who are you to argue. Well this is about my pre- teen life. I enjoyed doing many of the things I mention in this yarn but there were also some that I quite detested. (Post teen was quite a different tale …… will keep that for another time). My uncle was a happy go lucky gentleman, so he hardly figures in any of my stories. Those were the days when comments like – “little boys like you should be seen but not heard’’ were often used. Really? But listen to some more … all very vivid memories. I presume I was short for my age and very skinny so I was stuffed with spoons and spoons of Ferradol apparently because someone had remarked that “I could possibly be having a serious vitamin deficiency” . There was no shortage of quacks. Now Ferradol – if you have ever sampled it, is thick, gooey and not very palatable either but I was made to have it – to put on weight. I never did. Another thing which I was made to have by the mug full was “Complan”. It was supposed to be a “trusted, energy packed, vitamin enriched, complete food” – which made one grow tall. The one I was given was banana flavoured. It didn’t taste anything like bananas to me, if that helps, and I never grew as tall as the boy on the packet. The third was egg flip which was made with raw egg, nutmeg, milk and sugar – I was given this every second day, and this was followed by Seven seas cod-liver oil capsules – all to boost my immune system. Not sure why this did not work on me but what I do know is that I had measles, chicken pox, mumps & pneumonia once each and a sore throat, influenza, a cold, cough and fever quite often. For this reason, I was not permitted to buy the crushed ice topped with coloured syrup that everyone else in our colony loved and relished regularly – presumably if I did, I would get cholera which was the only disease that somehow spared me . I did argue that it did no harm to anyone else and hollered and threw tantrums, but no one bothered to listen. Needless to add, all the above never worked the miracle they were supposed to. People continued to remark as to how small I was and in return I wished them the worst, under my breath of course. I also hated it when friends came over and said, “isn’t Michael very thin and short for his age – why don’t you give him something like Complan or Ferradol”. That was it – then the conversation was only about how stubborn I was and how I troubled my mother when she gave it to me. There was a departmental store in the city and whenever we went there, I was given a coin to put in and take my weight. I remember that the needle hardly moved, and I was under weight for years. Then there was this thing about dressing. For some obscure reason I was never allowed to wear a belt or have a back pocket on my trousers. I now wonder why I didn’t question that odd decision. I vaguely remember something about little boys did not need belts and back pockets looked loaferish. God forbid I put my hands in my side pockets either – that was considered ill mannered! Food was another of my pet peeves – or to put that in the correct perspective – vegetables were. I hated any vegetable that was slimy, so be it brinjals, lady fingers, or drumstick – the day they were cooked were among the worst of my life. Those vegetables coupled with salad - comprising mainly tomatoes and you had one sick looking child – me! Such vegetables almost made me bring up and they refused to go down my throat. The more I tried to be a good little boy and swallow them, the more I almost gagged and felt worse. I once threatened to starve myself to death and was smacked for it. I enjoyed the days we had dinner in the garden though – I don’t know if you guessed this rightly or not. On those days I served myself very well and while everyone was busy talking, I would throw the vegetables to all corners of the garden – at times I would feed our dog ‘’Lovey’’. On a few occasions “Lovey’’ would refuse to eat what I had thrown and then I would get caught but it was well worth the risk. I would then be given the famous lecture about how children were starving all over the world and here I was wasting blah blah blah. I took it in from one ear and out of the other. I guess I was quite incorrigible. House painting was something I did not mind but it was tiring – my aunt loved to paint the house before Christmas. Her ‘piece de resistance’ was the mantel piece which she took immense pride in painting herself. (Some of you younger ones may need to look this up). It was given a marble finish and I was her designated assistant. This took time and patience and by the time we were done it was usually late in the evening having started early in the morning. Then came the cleaning of the hands with turpentine – quite a painful exercise – no pun intended - by the time I was done, all my friends who had been playing outside all day had already gone home and I was left smelling like a rag dipped in oil and paint. To say I would be off mood by then would be putting it mildly. There was more painting to be done as well – there was a man who came in to do this - doors, chairs, the dado, miscellaneous boxes, the good old meat safe and the like. Being the only boy in the family- (there were two female cousins too) helping with the painting became quite a big pre-Christmas chore which lasted for a couple of days. I was also involved in the making of the Christmas cakes – my job being the mincing of the ‘peels’ in the old-fashioned mincer. My hands often ached. I was then responsible for keeping watch when they were put out to dry in the sun and keeping away the birds – especially hungry crows. Needless to add, I was tempted by an item called “petha” which incidentally is still one of my favourites. Every little while a piece or two would be put in my mouth and so I did not complain. I guess I was one of the hungry crows. What is Christmas without a tree? Back then we did not buy tress like we do now – instead we found a well rounded branch, dried it out for a few weeks and then decorated it with snow made of a concoction of soap suds along with plenty of decorative items and lights etc ? Sourcing that branch was a job I enjoyed. We had a house help and so he and I would scour the neighbourhood on many an afternoon till we spotted the right branch. He would then cut it down and we would take it home to dry. At times, smaller branches were tied on with twine or wire to add volume. I would like to believe that I was one of the decorators but more often than not, while others were decorating, I was busy helping myself to the goodies that had been prepared and stored for Christmas. Swinging was something I enjoyed – the only problem being that there were no swings in the vicinity. Hence, I made up for that by swinging on the metal gate. As it was quite large, all that was required was for me to give it one push, jump on and out it went in a wide arc. My mother saw this one fine day and told me not do it if not I would break my head. That did not deter me one bit and so I continued for some months by holding on tighter. Then she dropped a bombshell – If I hung around near the gate, someone (a bogey man) would kidnap and take me away. That somehow struck a chord and I imagined being taken away in a sack and held captive in a dark forest so the swinging on the gate stopped once and for all. I would receive nice gifts on birthdays and festivals but would like to share about two which fascinated me. One was a pair of boxing gloves which I still have. I got them as a gift from my grandfather when I was four years old. They were put away at that time and I finally got hold of them a few years later when I was around nine. I was crazy about boxing and made sure to wear them daily and box anything and anyone who visited – mother, aunt, uncle and young cousins included. Yes, I was often in trouble and was told in no uncertain terms that I would grow up to be a bully if I continued acting wild . Another was an air gun. I was presented with this fantastic gift when I was around eight years old, by my grandfather once again and I was thrilled. The gun was put away in the cupboard and I never saw it again. Apparently when my mother and I were discussing this matter about thirty years later she told me she had given it away at that time itself in case I shot someone in the eye with the pellets! By the way, we had hens, a cock bird and a few ducks for some time. Many neighbours had a few too . The ducks and I seemed to get on quite well. They ate all the left-over food which I fed them as soon as I got back from school in the afternoon and then, quacking away, wallowed in a ditch which I would fill with buckets of water day after day. The cockbird who I named Jonny was a wicked, revengeful, long- legged fellow. I once kicked him by mistake while running. Thereafter whenever he saw me, he charged and tried to nip my ankles or toes if they were exposed. The hens were sweet and every morning, I would feed them before going to school and then collect the eggs which they laid in the hedge in the compound. A friend and neighbour also had a large red cockbird and both these birds would get into fights and peck the hell out of each other (Phillip Pereira are you reading this?) I enjoyed these simple pastimes and spent many a lovely afternoon looking after the birds. Not sure if this last point will resonate with any of you. Often when adults came visiting, my cousins, Annette, Penny and I were put on display. Much before they arrived, we were dressed and ready. Our manners were brushed up and we were told to wish aunty and uncle loudly and clearly – I was told not to mutter under my breath while wishing. We were also warned not to eat up the snacks and politely refuse when offered. Then came the worst part – the entertainment. We either had to sing a song or say a poem for the guests. The more we would remonstrate the angrier my aunt would get and warn us that we would not get dinner if we acted stupid! My cousins usually sang a song called ‘Sisters”- the lyrics were – “Sisters – Sisters – There were never such devoted sisters”! I would laugh and make faces at them from behind while they sang. I would then be called upon to either sing or recite a poem. No amount of last-minute protests would be accepted and so I would go through the motions in disgust. My irritation was not lost on the elders in the family and once the guests left I was scolded and told what a horribly spoilt child I was .Coming to think of it, those on the spot variety programmes have stood me in good stead indeed. As is sit at home locked in due to the present state of affairs, I yearn for those carefree days. I also feel I was a stubborn little boy – not very but quiet! However what I learnt from my mother and aunt are things I will always remember and be thankful for .

I almost became a priest

Let me start at the beginning and tell you what almost happened with my life. I almost became a priest. Seriously – don’t roll on the floor laughing and don’t get chocked – it’s a fact! So how did this come about and what made me even think about a life in a Christian seminary? When I look back, I guess it was the way we were brought up. No it was not all about non- stop prayers , fasting , the bible , penance and the like but there were some things we were taught as young kids ( my cousins and myself by our Aunt Addie ) and till date I am thankful for the same . I do remember kneeling down and praying a short prayer every evening after dinner, making novenas occasionally (especially just before I was to get my report card) and going to church once a week. No, I was not the holy types ,there was never a halo shining over my head , nor was I very keen on all this religious stuff but there was no choice! My aunt was a strict lady who brooked no nonsense – when she said, “let’s say our prayers”, we said them, even though my mind was often elsewhere. One look from her was enough. Studying in a Christian ( catholic school ) St Joseph’s in Allahabad added to the religious part – there was Catechism classes ( religious teaching ) – like a Moral science every day , there was chapel once a week , there were retreats ( which were day long or week-long stay in camps which were fun because of the company ) and all this obviously got ingrained in my personality . Then there was a seminary across the road in the same campus as our school, so we often went there to see the trainee priests playing football and basketball – they were very good at both. They seemed to be leading fun lives as well – at least that is what they told us and what we saw . As a young teenager I lived just about ten minutes from our church and there was not much to do on most days , it being a small town - so a few of us were in church regularly - we helped with cleaning the church , painting and polishing the wood and the brass , assisting at the weekend mass and religious functions & helping to decorate the church on special occasions . It was fun, there were plenty of girls and boys to mix with and as teens that was definitely an added attraction. Then there was the Christmas Carol singing, where about twenty of us went around every evening for a few days in Mid-December in a school bus, visiting houses, singing carols , being offered snacks, being given a donation for the church and the like and in general having a blast . As I played the guitar I was quite in demand and I liked the attention (had to admit that). The church also had an annual fee and a dance for charity which a few of us helped organize – I am sure you see, how very gradually, and without any conscious effort , the church became part and parcel of many of our lives . You who are reading this must realize that way back then there were no pubs, no mobile phones , no malls, no TV , no internet – but life was fun ! However, there was something else – and this is the truth so read on. The parish priest – a very nice man - seemed to live an extremely comfortable life. He had a large house to stay in , within the church compound , rode a lovely scooter , had a servant and apparently had not much to do – or so we assumed and this was a big plus point! He was popular, was always invited out to parties and dinners and never seemed to have a care in the world. Whenever I looked at him, I envied his life. I somehow imagined people calling me Father Michael and that thrilled me! Now when I think back, studying was not something many of us were keen on – I for one had not thought much about the future – money or property was not something I was going to inherit and hence I made up my mind that being a priest was what I wanted to do with my life . It seemed the easiest thing in the world. However what man proposes, God disposes – sounds odd in this context though! I guess, once I grew older, I realized that priesthood was not for me by a mile and I went into teaching and life took a turn of its own. Just thought about this a short while ago – Just a Priest? After so many years I may have even become a Bishop by now! Now that would be something – Not just Father Michael but His Lordship !