The Middle Ground

Ashim had always believed that a divine intelligence existed and that the entire universe was proof of the manifestation of its will. He called this super consciousness, God. So, when the doctor announced that he and Shudipa could not have children, he was unperturbed. If that was God’s will, how could he say otherwise? They drove home in silence. On entering their apartment, Ashim noticed as he switched on the lights, that Shudipa walked straight to the kitchen. Normally she would wash her feet before doing anything. Strange, he thought. Before he could realize, Shudipa opened the refrigerator and emptied an entire bottle of chilled water over her head. “Shudipa!” Ashim rushed to hold her in his arms. “Of all people, why us, Ashim, why me?” she wailed. Ashim forced her to look into his eyes. “Listen to me. You have to believe me when I say this. It is not your fault.” “Then why me? Ashim, tell me one good reason why me?” He hugged her tightly while she whimpered into u...

Is there anything more wonderful than biting deep into a huge slice of some delightful chocolate trufle pastry? The taste of thick frozen dark chocolate melting in your mouth,ah! Well I did just that yesterday while watching the beautiful movie 'A Good Year' for the second time. It is sad that, these days, we have had to compromise on so many noble values in our journey to become the most 'whatever-fits' creation on earth. Gone are those days when, little children lived with doting grandparents.To live with somebody who thinks the world of you, who believes that there could be no one brighter or better than you, who knows for certain that you alone will become the richest, most sought after person, someday in the future, can do magic for a child.To have somebody around who is proud of you, because you are the way you are, can be the driving force behind your success, in every walk of your life. To have found such a person, would be like having God as ...

I found this as I was leafing through an old diary. At that time I was a paying guest for a Tamilian family, in Murichur Road, Tambaram. Deeksha was the land-lady's 7-yr-old daughter. "I am constantly surprised, how the world expects, two people with two completely different brain orientations, to react in similar manner to a given stimuli.We set general standards like 'IQ' to test all people, when 'IQ' essentially is a measure of one's left-brain capacity. The reason I have so much fun teaching 7-yr old Deeku is because of the weird reactions that she gives while doing her homework.'Deeksha! M and not W. b, not d.',  I often find myself reprimanding. 'Enna Kodumai ithu!'she mutters, irritated. Our curriculum has very few arrangements for right-brained or dyslexic children. Multiplication tables, force, motion, machines, arduous hours of mugging up may not be Deeku's cup of tea but she excels in extra curricular activitie...