Abhishek's Musings

  ODE TO A TEACHER    Br. Simon  Coelho, we simply called him “Sir.” A man of utmost integrity and who could never err.  Whom you either loved or feared But we respected and still looked up to and cheered as a man.   “Albert Einstein” came to mind; the scientist we recalled Seeing the magical genius of maths on the blackboard, you scrawled. It wasn’t just “Simon” it stood for “Pious.” For this God-fearing man who was never biased.   With your example, you showed us the way What it meant to live a righteous life and never be swayed. You were a strict disciplinarian who instilled in us Values that ensured we never missed the bus.   We felt like “Srinivasa Ramanujan”, the maths genius, attending your classes. You are our “G. H. Hardy”, our very own moral compass. You taught us never to yield like “The  Man Who Knew Infinity.” With our gold, maroon and green school flag as our shield.   And though life comes full circle, and we do ...

  TETE-A-TETE BETWEEN ROBERT KIYOSAKI AND BOB SIMON   The room is quiet except for occasional slurps from coffee mugs as Robert Kiyosaki sits across from Bob Simon at a large oak table. Robert’s eyes were trying to size up Bob, and a knowing smile played on his lips.   ROBERT: “You and I have more commonalities than I thought,” he says, leaning back on his chair. “Two Dads, two very different paths. It must have been exciting growing up with such a contrast, huh?”.   BOB: “Yeah, it was my highly educated Dad who believed in the system- played by the book, went to school, got a job, worked hard, and believed in God. It worked for him but didn’t work out smoothly for me; I felt something was missing. Then there was my Rich Dad, who didn’t have a degree but had a wealth of experience. He had a different way of seeing the world.”   ROBERT (Nodding): “Exactly, it’s like living in two worlds simultaneously. My Poor Dad- God bless his soul- taught me the importance of ...

  ROBERT KIYOSAKI’S MONOLOGUE   The study was dimly lit, light from the table lamp illuminating the desk and the walls behind it. Robert sat in his soft leather chair, fingers fiddling with the armrest. His eyes locked onto the photograph of his father hanging on the wall—his Poor Dad. The laminated doctorate certificate hung beside the wall, a symbol of achievement, academic excellence, and respect. But was it the only answer?   “All that education,” he whispered, shaking his head. “All those degrees, first class, first throughout. And yet, Dad, you struggled. You did everything right, didn’t you? You worked hard, played by the rules, were a model citizen, and earned promotions. But that’s just it: “earned”, “worked”, “slogged”, and “struggled”. Always against the current, always pushing uphill.” He sighed deeply, his thoughts turning to the lessons from his rich dad—the man with no formal education but a wealth of knowledge far more valuable than any degree.   He g...

  BR. ERIC STEVE D’SOUZA: FOND MEMORIES   On October 13th,2024, we received the sad news that our beloved teacher from school, Br. Eric Steve D’Souza had passed away at 1:20 p.m. in Goa. With his passing, we lost a legend in the field of education.   My earliest memories of Br. Eric was when I was a young student in class six at St Edmunds School. He had come to join our school from St. Columba’s School, Delhi, where he was the principal. He didn’t join our school as the principal, though; that job went to another legend, Br. Simon Coelho.   From the moment he entered our school, his reputation preceded him as a genius teacher, and we were all in awe of him. Over the next few years, we would learn why he was known as a genius. Boys made a beeline to be in his class, and parents tried to pull strings to get their boys admitted. The ones who were eventually in his class were the lucky ones.   Br. Eric was a multifaceted personality, and there was nothing he could ...

  PORTRAIT OF AN ENIGMATIC NEIGHBOUR   There’s something about the man from next door building that doesn’t quite add up, and maybe that’s what makes him so mysterious and intriguing. His apartment is bang opposite mine, and while we have exchanged pleasantries now and then and a little more than a nod here and there, his life plays out like a Jhumpa Lahiri story that I can’t help but piece together.   He doesn’t look like the type who reeks of wealth but drives luxury cars. He is slim, bespectacled, and always dressed in tights—a look that raises eyebrows and causes idle gossip in the neighbourhood. There’s something odd about his fashion choices. Though bold and unapologetic, they make you wonder whether they are a statement of who he is or a part of a complex picture.   But then, there is his wife, who had a different tale a few months ago. Hardly seen, always at home, she’s undergone a massive transformation. These days, she is the epitome of confidence, out and ...

  DURGA PUJA REVERIE   It is that time of the year when we celebrate the Durga Puja’s Durga Puja is a time of fun, family, laughter, food, and good times.   Good times that last for over four days Four days of total bliss for the devotees.   Devotees offer Pushpanjali to Maa Durga every morning Morning gives way to evenings, where devotees partake in dhunuchi nach.   Dhunuchi nach to the beat of dhaaks  Dhaaks, thanks to their rhythmic beats, are music to the Bengali ear.   The ears reverberate with the beats while we eat bhog, Bhog, the holy Prasadam of Maa Durga. Maa Durga is visited in different pandals Pandal hopping is a craze among the devotees of Maa Durga.   Maa Durga is a symbol of joy and nostalgia for every Bengali Bengalis of all ages come together in celebrations.   Celebrations that involve poetry recitations, song and dance, Dance, theatre, and music by prominent artists.   Artists perform on all three days at Puja Mandaps...

  BRIDGING WORLDS   “You never forget the moment history walks into your life.”   These words played on Scott’s mind as he froze momentarily, watching the door swing open. In walked Bill Clinton, his Southern charm emanating even before he uttered a single word. It was 1998, and Scott, an exchange student from a small town in Scotland, was suddenly catapulted into the diplomatic swirl of Washington, D.C.   Clinton’s smile was magnetic and infectious. “So, you’re the student causing all the buzz,” he said, extending his hand. Scott’s heart raced as he shook hands with the President of the United States, a man who dominated his small TV screen—for a moment, time stood still.   “Ye- Yes Sir. I didn’t know I was causing so much buzz,” Scott replied, his Scottish accent thick but steady, as he tried to speak in the drawl of his childhood hero, W. Axl. Rose, the frontman of the band Guns N Roses, which was a rage during his school days.   Clinton chuckled, “In Wa...

  DURGA PUJO: THE FESTIVAL OF DIVINE HOMECOMING AND TRIUMPH   “The Goddess comes home, and with her, the heart of Bengal beats a little louder, a little brighter”,  writes Sudeshna Banerjee in her book Durga Puja: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow.   Imagine the beating of dhaak echoing across the streets, the air thick with the fragrance of incense and flowers, and a divine presence, four days of joy, felt in every corner. This is Durga Pujo – the majestic festival of eastern India and the heart and soul of Bengali culture. For four magical days, the Goddess Durga, the destroyer of evil, comes down from her celestial abode to visit her parents, Giriraj and Maneka. She was accompanied by her young children: daughters Laxmi and Saraswati and sons Kartik and Ganesha. She is welcomed with rituals and reverence- her visit symbolising the triumph of good over evil and the cyclical nature of life and death.   The roots of Durga Pujo date back to ancient Hindu scriptures...

    GREEN DURGA PUJA CELEBRATIONS   “Celebrating Durga Puja in harmony with nature isn’t just about going green; it’s about showing respect to the Goddess and the planet she protects,”  observed environmental activist and writer Gitanjali Rao.   WHAT IS DURGA PUJA?   Durga Puja is a pulsating and holy Hindu festival that symbolises the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It celebrates the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishashura, a battle that represents the destruction of ignorance and wickedness. According to Hindu mythology, Mahishashura had gained a boon that gave him immunity and made him nearly invincible, and he terrorised and stalked the heavens and the earth. In light of this situation, and to check the evil demon, the Gods combined their divine energies to create the powerful Goddess Durga, who defeated him after a nine-day prolonged deadly battle.   DURGA PUJA   As the rhythmic beating of Dhak drums and t...