Various media have captured in detail the menace of the unexpected guest or visitor who comes calling, but handling the anticipated visitor is also a challenging prospect that tests organizational and man-management skills – the host can easily be lulled into complacence by the garb of familiarity resulting in rather nasty surprises, and thus needs […]
The expected guest Read More »
It was an erroneous assumption on the part of my friend who lives in the United States and was planning a trip to France, that highlighted the unflattering position of the Indian passport in the pecking order of nations that have visa-free accessibility to the most countries. While himself requiring a visa, he overvalued the
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; indeed, it is a trait seen in abundance across almost all life forms on Earth. While there are sophisticated ways in which imitation occurs in animals, plants and microorganisms, this is mostly a form of mimicry that has evolved as an evolutionary response. On the other hand, humans
The art of appropriation Read More »
It so often happens that just when you’ve shrugged off the mental inertia and strung together a train of thoughts, an interruption ensues that derails it. In this case it was the incessant, unrelenting vibration of the mobile phone. The convenience of the mobile phone is a double-edged sword – Murphy’s law swings both ways
Forewarning: This article goes into details related to the expulsion of waste matter by living organisms. You are hereby advised to proceed reading only if you can digest (the contents) without (developing a feeling of) disgust! Waste – organic and non-organic – is all around us. The problem of waste management has become a serious
The presence of fingers on our hands has possibly been one of the greatest advantages conferred by evolution (or by God, or some other entity depending on your religious affiliation); the ability to grasp and manipulate objects has opened up an immense world of possibilities. Of course, with the good comes the bad, and also
Put a finger on it Read More »
Torture has been an intrinsic part of human civilization, being used for various purposes by individuals, agencies, governments, etc at some point of time or the other. Though it is now illegal in most parts of the world, the practice still continues – brazenly by some and clandestinely by others. In a modern context, the
Forms and formalities Read More »
While the title is an allusion to a popular management book, there is no denying the fact that there are few things in life that could be more stressful, dreadful, annoying, and time-consuming than the process of relocating a residence (or shifting, as it is popularly known in our country. To native English speakers, the
Who moved my house? Read More »
Adarsh Gardens always seems to be buzzing with some activity – the community get-togethers, some or the other civil work, the children playing around, Infosys employees moving in and out (sometimes in droves), and a myriad other things. Vying for attention amidst all these are the fascinating fauna of the complex! I had written an
Close encounters of the animal kind Read More »
The answer to the all-encompassing question of “Life, the Universe and Everything” may indeed turn out to be a mundane number as per Douglas Adams, but there is a good candidate available – food. After all, it is food (and water next) that sustains life. But in spite of the massive number of options available,