The above image belongs to itspak.wordpress.com Harry plucked the boiled eggs from a steaming kettle and placed them under the cold tap. “This helps separate the shell from the inside with ease,” he said with great authority as he removed the shell deftly and handed it over to place on what was meant to be my breakfast toast. I gazed at my breakfast despairingly and … Continue reading Deshi Harry

The above image belongs to http://www.jokeroo.com/pictures/funny/angry-students-2.html It had been a terrible week for all of us. Our usually tranquil campus had become a seething mass of angry students who were either trying to force administration into liberalizing programs, or desperately trying to protect themselves from militants. The College President was under siege and calmly trying to ride out this storm, while faculty debated ways and … Continue reading An Act of Courage

Above image copyright to blog.parents-choice.org One of the loftiest ambitions to be found in the man of the East is to be a teacher. History and the Shastras report countless experiences where a Guru, or teacher, instills into students noble principles, and then watches with satisfaction as students use these principles to achieve great things for the betterment of mankind. A teacher is held in … Continue reading CAUGHT OUT

It was a Saturday afternoon and I was attempting to rejuvenate my body before facing the rigors of another week. In a boarding college you’re more or less on call twenty-four hours a day so it’s wise to get rest whenever the opportunity presents. I must have dozed off because I didn’t hear the phone ring until my daughter gave me a gentle shake and … Continue reading All Because of a Bucket

The above images copyrighted to shunya.net. Pictures taken Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India   Only absolute necessity would drive us from our holiday retreat almost seven thousand feet high on Kodaikanal Mountain, overlooking blistering hot coastal plains of South India. In order to reach our holiday haven we had to endure two days travel, barely pausing in our journey to purchase food or fuel. The only … Continue reading Appearances

My secretary Stella had just placed mail on the office desk. There was time before committee schedules began so I began work on a pile of correspondence. The lazy whirl of an overhead fan made this exercise interesting. Turning off the fan would cause intense discomfort and profuse sweating in Mumbai’s thick humidity. We couldn’t afford to run an air conditioner. With fan on, strategic … Continue reading Accumulated Treasure

The above image belongs to http://www.siamheute.de/medienecho.html Sanjay In a bustling village in the Hindi heartland of India Sanjay was born. The superstitious servants tied a black thread on the baby to ward off evil spirits and there was great rejoicing in the home. A man child had been born to carry on the family name. His mother Sita was a nurse. When an elderly doctor … Continue reading Cultural Divide

The above image copyright to http://www.superstock.com Mixing college administration, teaching and study is quite a challenge I thought to myself as I jumped on my Vespa scooter, kick started, and sped out the gate toward the University. This had been one of those unusual days when everything that could go wrong went wrong. I’d lingered in the office too long and was in danger of … Continue reading Sitting Exams

                        The work contract stated we were entitled to a four-week holiday each year when we signed on for our work assignment in India. Our introduction to India had been quite agreeable.  It was monsoon time and the train trip to Pune in Western India had been spectacular. The mountainsides were a mass of … Continue reading A Journey in South India