James Bond and me

The only Social Media I had when I was growing up hundreds of years ago was the Radio! The only stations I tuned in to, on an old Bush radio, were “Radio Ceylon” and the “BBC” . (Of course, there were one or two Indian stations as well). The first for music and the second for the evening news. At times the valve radio did not catch the desired station and one had to give it a thump on the side and presto it obeyed commands thereafter. Whether it was the six am morning music show, cricket matches, Man landing on the moon, late night instrumental music or the daily news – that was Social media for us, and we enjoyed it. Yes we clapped when the cricket commentator shouted out that the batsmen had hit a four or a six and I jumped when I heard those famous words by Neil Armstrong's when he became the first person to set foot on the Moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Nothing can take away the thrill of those very special moments . Now there is the Internet, television with hundreds of channels to choose from, Facebook, WhatsApp and so many others. The list is endless and continues to grow – who knows what we will have ten and twenty years from now! We are indeed spoilt for choice. I remember going to a movie in my teens and seeing James Bond with a large ungainly looking cordless phone and saying wow! Not that I imagined myself as JB or anything – just the thought of a phone with no wire amazed me. I wondered where it was connected to and how. I remember starting with a Nokia 6210, (Googled to make sure that was the number ) taking it out of my pocket and looking at it often, in the initial days, to make sure I had it and of course to show it off . It was quite a rarity back then and I had sent for it through a relative in Dubai. Now everyone has a phone, and nobody seems to be able to do without it. Children carry it to school , people sign in before an operation , they check it between repetitions in the gym, peep at it in church , click selfies in strange places and feel lost and forlorn if they leave the house without it . I have often forgotten my wallet but rarely my phone. I distinctly remember attending a Leadership programme at “The Tuck school of Business” at Dartmouth some years ago. There were talks, seminars and discussions led by some amazingly intelligent professors from around the world - they almost gave you a complex. One grey haired professor held up his battered old phone and said – “Educationists around the world tell pupils not to bring phones to school – one day , all children will carry to school, will be a phone”- prophetic words indeed . On a slightly different note ….. Looking at schools going online around the world today, I wonder if brick and mortar schools will exist in the future. Everyone is managing quite well and with the advancement of technology this will happen – in fact, it already has. The debate for social interaction will continue and be solved too. Parents and pupils around the world are already getting very comfortable with the “new normal”. Not spending money on uniforms, on purchasing innumerable books, and on travel, is gradually making parents realize the indirect saving they are making and that is something one cannot scoff at in this day and age when every penny counts . Then there is the issue around saving time. With traffic jams and long distances to be travelled between home and school – studying from the comfort of one’s home is now being seen to be very appealing. Lastly with no water bottles and tiffin to be packed every morning, mums are smiling more often! If you notice, I have not even mentioned Covid and the apprehensions, fears and safety concerns around the virus. Mark you – I am not writing schools off any time soon. Nothing can replace face to face teaching and learning. The pat on the back from your teacher, the competition with your friends on stage and on the field, the camaraderie, the jokes, the bunking classes – all seem irreplaceable right now but then again who knows. For how long will “NOW” exist? I never thought I would ever have a cordless phone like James Bond did I?

James Bond and me

The only Social Media I had when I was growing up hundreds of years ago was the Radio! The only stations I tuned in to, on an old Bush radio, were “Radio Ceylon” and the “BBC” . (Of course, there were one or two Indian stations as well). The first for music and the second for the evening news. At times the valve radio did not catch the desired station and one had to give it a thump on the side and presto it obeyed commands thereafter. Whether it was the six am morning music show, cricket matches, Man landing on the moon, late night instrumental music or the daily news – that was Social media for us, and we enjoyed it. Yes we clapped when the cricket commentator shouted out that the batsmen had hit a four or a six and I jumped when I heard those famous words by Neil Armstrong's when he became the first person to set foot on the Moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Nothing can take away the thrill of those very special moments . Now there is the Internet, television with hundreds of channels to choose from, Facebook, WhatsApp and so many others. The list is endless and continues to grow – who knows what we will have ten and twenty years from now! We are indeed spoilt for choice. I remember going to a movie in my teens and seeing James Bond with a large ungainly looking cordless phone and saying wow! Not that I imagined myself as JB or anything – just the thought of a phone with no wire amazed me. I wondered where it was connected to and how. I remember starting with a Nokia 6210, (Googled to make sure that was the number ) taking it out of my pocket and looking at it often, in the initial days, to make sure I had it and of course to show it off . It was quite a rarity back then and I had sent for it through a relative in Dubai. Now everyone has a phone, and nobody seems to be able to do without it. Children carry it to school , people sign in before an operation , they check it between repetitions in the gym, peep at it in church , click selfies in strange places and feel lost and forlorn if they leave the house without it . I have often forgotten my wallet but rarely my phone. I distinctly remember attending a Leadership programme at “The Tuck school of Business” at Dartmouth some years ago. There were talks, seminars and discussions led by some amazingly intelligent professors from around the world - they almost gave you a complex. One grey haired professor held up his battered old phone and said – “Educationists around the world tell pupils not to bring phones to school – one day , all children will carry to school, will be a phone”- prophetic words indeed . On a slightly different note ….. Looking at schools going online around the world today, I wonder if brick and mortar schools will exist in the future. Everyone is managing quite well and with the advancement of technology this will happen – in fact, it already has. The debate for social interaction will continue and be solved too. Parents and pupils around the world are already getting very comfortable with the “new normal”. Not spending money on uniforms, on purchasing innumerable books, and on travel, is gradually making parents realize the indirect saving they are making and that is something one cannot scoff at in this day and age when every penny counts . Then there is the issue around saving time. With traffic jams and long distances to be travelled between home and school – studying from the comfort of one’s home is now being seen to be very appealing. Lastly with no water bottles and tiffin to be packed every morning, mums are smiling more often! If you notice, I have not even mentioned Covid and the apprehensions, fears and safety concerns around the virus. Mark you – I am not writing schools off any time soon. Nothing can replace face to face teaching and learning. The pat on the back from your teacher, the competition with your friends on stage and on the field, the camaraderie, the jokes, the bunking classes – all seem irreplaceable right now but then again who knows. For how long will “NOW” exist? I never thought I would ever have a cordless phone like James Bond did I?

What is success

Do you consider yourself SUCCESSFUL? I have been thinking about this for a few days now and doing some self-evaluation too. In fact, I sat down and made a list of the areas where I feel I am rather successful. I was not surprised to note, that there are quite a few, where I can do better. I guess a lot depends on what SUCCESS means to you. Is success, peace of mind? Is it material gain? Is it having all you desired and more? Is it a great family life? Is it social recognition? Is it an accomplished aim? Are you successful when you do not fail? Does it have something to do with achievement? Can we compare levels of success? – If I did a better job than you did, was I more successful? Does success have anything to do with age and circumstances? Is success the journey or the destination? Is success a state of the mind? – I feel I am successful, but in someone else’s eyes, I am a failure. Is it self-acceptance of achievement? Does success have anything to do with winning? Is it just a perspective? Should we live for success? This is my take on the topic:- "Success is very personal mindset. It is a journey of self-definition, self-discovery and self-belief. It is about our own desires and sense of fulfillment. Above all, it has a lot to do with the emotional connection we have with ourselves". Would love to hear what you have to say. By the way, do feel free to disagree .

What is success

Do you consider yourself SUCCESSFUL? I have been thinking about this for a few days now and doing some self-evaluation too. In fact, I sat down and made a list of the areas where I feel I am rather successful. I was not surprised to note, that there are quite a few, where I can do better. I guess a lot depends on what SUCCESS means to you. Is success, peace of mind? Is it material gain? Is it having all you desired and more? Is it a great family life? Is it social recognition? Is it an accomplished aim? Are you successful when you do not fail? Does it have something to do with achievement? Can we compare levels of success? – If I did a better job than you did, was I more successful? Does success have anything to do with age and circumstances? Is success the journey or the destination? Is success a state of the mind? – I feel I am successful, but in someone else’s eyes, I am a failure. Is it self-acceptance of achievement? Does success have anything to do with winning? Is it just a perspective? Should we live for success? This is my take on the topic:- "Success is very personal mindset. It is a journey of self-definition, self-discovery and self-belief. It is about our own desires and sense of fulfillment. Above all, it has a lot to do with the emotional connection we have with ourselves". Would love to hear what you have to say. By the way, do feel free to disagree .

Do any of you remember Godfrey Gordon

Dear Former pupils Greetings from Dubai. I need some help and thought of no one else to turn to, but you, dear boys. Actually, help from anyone reading this is welcome – the more the better. Nothing urgent or critical, because if it were something like that, I would call. I have so many of your telephone numbers. Then there is Facebook, Whats-app, Messenger etc . So let me lay it out there ......... Does anyone remember Godfrey Gordon? No? Well, you will by the end of this short story. I believe some people referred to him as GG too. Not too sure . Now let me start at the very beginning, as it’s a very good place to start! Woke this morning and decided to write a short piece as I often do, but then got busy with more important work and writing was put on the back burner. What followed was then a typical weekday – drove to see a few schools, as it was the first day of face to face learning. That was followed by more work on the computer and lunch. Ate a comparatively light lunch so that I did not feel sleepy. Just some simple chicken and tomato rice followed by a custard. I love custard. I know its fattening but today was a cheat day like many others! Anyway, as I was making myself a cup of tea at around 4.00pm, the name ‘Godfrey Gordan’ came to mind. No clue why. Rack my brains is what I did, but despite my best efforts, I could not just fathom out where this name had come to mind from. Was he a boy from Bishops during my time? Was he an ex Bishopite who had left before I joined? Was he a boy I had taught in Dubai? Was he from my hometown Allahabad? Was I suffering from dementia? (I am a bit of a hypochondriac). Could not fathom it out, despite my best efforts and felt a trifle inadequate. Whenever I think of something and fail to come to a conclusion, it troubles me. I then decided to go to the gym but changed my mind at the last moment and decided to go for a long walk instead. I have pulled a muscle and feel that rest will help . It was then, amid walking, listening to Rod Stewart and doing my best to stay as far as possible from fellow walkers, that I had a Eureka moment. I usually call it an ‘aha’ moment, but Eureka sounds better! I almost felt like Newton – the only thing amiss - there was no apple. Yes, I had it. The elusive Godfrey Gordon! You see when I was probably in a primary class, I was taught the Poem which goes something like this: - ‘Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore — No doubt you have heard the name before — Was a boy who never would shut a door! The wind might whistle, the wind might roar, And teeth be aching and throats be sore, But still he never would shut the door’. And so it goes on ( William Brighty Rands) So, this was Godfrey Gordon and here lies the problem. How in Dickens’ name did I think of him? Why would I in the first place? I am not very friendly with anyone named Godfrey or Gordon. I have not read or heard the poem being recited in ages. If I think back, I learnt it about fifty odd years ago! So how and why did it suddenly come to mind? Was it floating around somewhere within my cranium and suddenly decided to pop up and confuse me? Do these things happen? Is it normal? Are there more confusing names to follow? What if suddenly the name Hubert Blaine Wolfe­schlegel­stein­ha comes up. Will I go insane? Now that you know who Godfrey is, can you help me with this puzzle? I will forever be both thankful and grateful! Sincerely Mr Guzder

Do any of you remember Godfrey Gordon

Dear Former pupils Greetings from Dubai. I need some help and thought of no one else to turn to, but you, dear boys. Actually, help from anyone reading this is welcome – the more the better. Nothing urgent or critical, because if it were something like that, I would call. I have so many of your telephone numbers. Then there is Facebook, Whats-app, Messenger etc . So let me lay it out there ......... Does anyone remember Godfrey Gordon? No? Well, you will by the end of this short story. I believe some people referred to him as GG too. Not too sure . Now let me start at the very beginning, as it’s a very good place to start! Woke this morning and decided to write a short piece as I often do, but then got busy with more important work and writing was put on the back burner. What followed was then a typical weekday – drove to see a few schools, as it was the first day of face to face learning. That was followed by more work on the computer and lunch. Ate a comparatively light lunch so that I did not feel sleepy. Just some simple chicken and tomato rice followed by a custard. I love custard. I know its fattening but today was a cheat day like many others! Anyway, as I was making myself a cup of tea at around 4.00pm, the name ‘Godfrey Gordan’ came to mind. No clue why. Rack my brains is what I did, but despite my best efforts, I could not just fathom out where this name had come to mind from. Was he a boy from Bishops during my time? Was he an ex Bishopite who had left before I joined? Was he a boy I had taught in Dubai? Was he from my hometown Allahabad? Was I suffering from dementia? (I am a bit of a hypochondriac). Could not fathom it out, despite my best efforts and felt a trifle inadequate. Whenever I think of something and fail to come to a conclusion, it troubles me. I then decided to go to the gym but changed my mind at the last moment and decided to go for a long walk instead. I have pulled a muscle and feel that rest will help . It was then, amid walking, listening to Rod Stewart and doing my best to stay as far as possible from fellow walkers, that I had a Eureka moment. I usually call it an ‘aha’ moment, but Eureka sounds better! I almost felt like Newton – the only thing amiss - there was no apple. Yes, I had it. The elusive Godfrey Gordon! You see when I was probably in a primary class, I was taught the Poem which goes something like this: - ‘Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore — No doubt you have heard the name before — Was a boy who never would shut a door! The wind might whistle, the wind might roar, And teeth be aching and throats be sore, But still he never would shut the door’. And so it goes on ( William Brighty Rands) So, this was Godfrey Gordon and here lies the problem. How in Dickens’ name did I think of him? Why would I in the first place? I am not very friendly with anyone named Godfrey or Gordon. I have not read or heard the poem being recited in ages. If I think back, I learnt it about fifty odd years ago! So how and why did it suddenly come to mind? Was it floating around somewhere within my cranium and suddenly decided to pop up and confuse me? Do these things happen? Is it normal? Are there more confusing names to follow? What if suddenly the name Hubert Blaine Wolfe­schlegel­stein­ha comes up. Will I go insane? Now that you know who Godfrey is, can you help me with this puzzle? I will forever be both thankful and grateful! Sincerely Mr Guzder

For better sense we pray

FOR BETTER SENSE WE PRAY I am now extremely confused, and immensely concerned. And I am sure it is not me alone- the common man is The unbridled media seems to be going crazy and having a field day We are getting suffocated and being sucked into this hellish vortex partially our fault I guess Stop it please. Stop it now. Enough is enough We are making a laughingstock of ourselves And the joke is on us- unfortunately The whole country is going insane, discussing, debating, arguing Sushant , Rhea and Kangana Showik, Miranda and others too ? Suicide, murder, depression, drugs, nepotism. Money, ambulances, black bags and what have you Rest in peace? The blame game is on – unrestrained, unrivalled & unchecked. The Mumbai film industry? The drug mafia? The BMC? The State or the Central government? The courts, the Mumbai police, the CBI? Who is running the show – who is calling the shots? Is there a ring master? There could be. How else is this crazy media circus being sustained? It is farcical, delusional, and unreal The conspiracy theorists are on a winning spree- galloping gleefully Can we all not just take a step back? What is that modern phrase? Take a ‘chill pill’! Going into overdrive is totally uncalled for Cut the hyperbole, cut the amplification, cut the overkill - PLEASE Let the Courts and the Honourable judges decide and pronounce a verdict. It is their job, their call, and their prerogative Patience is a virtue we human beings need to cultivate We are so used to jumping the gun and landing in the gutter For goodness sake … Everyone is suddenly taking on the job of judge, jury, and executioner. It is absurd, utterly preposterous, and totally uncalled for. Are there not more important issues plaguing the country and needing urgent attention? What about the unemployment? What about the migrant labourers who went home? Where are they and what are they eating? Out of sight – out of mind? What about China and the cross-border firing? China are beating the drums of war while India are often in denial Taking one step forward and two steps back- Why? Cut the rhetoric and take a stand. Take it now. Both countries are shooting at each other on the mountains And discussing treaties in board rooms Peace and war simultaneously? This is a joke in poor taste – something is so wrong Is COVID at the core? Are we missing something? Stranger things have happened no doubt, but this is anomalous and atypical Covid started in China is exploding in India and not getting top billing? It is spiralling out of control And is already a crisis of preposterous proportions. Thousands infected and deaths galore Over ninety thousand daily infections in India,over the last few days We are now number two in the world ¬hing to be proud of Are we mis- managing a crisis? I hope not Let it not become a national calamity That will be damnation There is a Herculean task before the country Let not distractions come in the way For better sense We pray.