The moving finger writes.............

Being with kids often makes you forget yourself for   a while. Kids accept you in their own manner, sans prejudice and sans preconceived notions. But it is often a surprise that even among those   kids   who   are more   underprivileged, a genuine sense of bonding and camaraderie is seen. Here are two kids at Cheshire Homes, Ranchi, where I visit regularly on Sundays. Samira’s disability doesn’t deter her- she   spins her wheelchair like   a champ, loves to sing , and bonds   with people instantly. Here , Samira is sharing a ride   with   Sunaina, on their way  to Sunday lunch, happy, oblivious to all her   problems ( as   an unwritten rule, I never talk about her   disability and neither does   she, though she was telling me that she spent her time making paper boats in the hospital- I didn’t ask which hospital).She is very   disciplined too, and prefers to carry herself around on her whee...

The current fracas over culling of animals reminds me of an amusing scene from Tom and Jerry. Tom, in his usual playful mood, chases Jerry around the house. Jerry, in his mouselike agility,    jumps to the top of the windowsill, and Tom crashes against the wall, his face a flat pancake. See the simile ? The use of animal allegory apart, Maneka Gandhi has taken on the role of Jerry against   Tom,   the vastly more powerful   ministry represented by Mr. Prakash Javadekar. And is probably hoping she will pull it off. Not surprising. Many moons ago, it was the same lady who had campaigned against the drinking of cow milk , to save the cow. And today,she is the saviour of langoors and nilgais in distress. Which doesn't mean that animal should be killed indiscriminately.Is the government being heavy handed here ? My   opinion would be...No. Today's polity is mature enough to understand environmental implications, and the glare of fo...