All Entries Tagged With: "Humour"

dinosaurI still recall with laughter my first day at B school. Students introduced themselves dutifully and solemnly till one guy said that he was working for Hindustan Motors, makers of the Ambassador car. Later we ribbed him on this, telling him that his department had an entire year to decide on the shape of the headlights — this being the only innovation in what has been billed as the world’s only vintage car under active production and use. A living dinosaur.

When my friends read my earlier tickles, they immediately asked as to why I had not written about that much-talked about, unusual and very memorable incident involving an elephant. I decided to oblige so get ready to enjoy a first hand account of an elephant experience.

Unlike Archimedes it is unlikely that I will be remembered even minutes after I have my tryst with my Maker. That kind of destiny is reserved for the best among us and I cannot certify that I belong to that elite group. But I had my Eureka moment when I discovered answers to two questions [...]

My friend Asha works at the National Institute of Health in Washington, DC. Her boss had asked her to find out why India’s most powerful people had not been affected by swine flu, known here as H1N1. She asked me for my views on this interesting subject. I said that the reasons are obvious. She [...]

Many a time we are swept by that overwhelming feeling to bare all. Not to be mistaken with confession which is done after ensuring that there is nothing further to lose on account of reputation.

In recent weeks a couple of incidents told the true story of India in a manner that nothing else can. The Delhi metro bridge crashed killing some poor people one early morning a few weeks ago. When my quality control friend of Indian origin in the US saw the photographs of the accident scene he [...]

New recruits or executives kicked upstairs are usually in a tearing hurry. They want to bring in sweeping changes: change SOPs, unveil new pyramids or Venn diagrams and what not. All even before the first circular about them is mailed. Let me admit, it’s a trait that should be encouraged, a spirit to be applauded [...]

There is a new found optimism in air. “Green shoots” are appearing all over the parched land and dead woods. Fewer hearts palpitate now when the swiping of access cards results in a loud beep accompanied by the door not opening. One waits patiently while the security politely presses the switch to let one in. [...]

How many times have you laughed today? If research is anything to go by, the answer will be, not as much as you should have done.

Depression can be fun. You just sit around thinking that you are depressed. You don’t know why. You don’t even bother to find out why. Just the fact that you realize you are depressed kind of makes you happy. And this happiness adds to the feeling of depression. It’s like a wonderful vicious cycle – [...]

I will never forget my experience of being educated about modern art. It was almost a defining episode in my existence. Being a part of a team which was working with an NGO to put up an art show, I was organizing and coordinating the installation of panels. This show was being held in a [...]

My kids have known this always. My wife always sides with them. So she does too. I denied it for a long time and pretended to love it. But today I am announcing it. I do not understand rap.

“Rap is a way of life bro’. Wanna rap? You gotcha live like us – the ghetto clothes. You gotta dress right … like a gangsta. Give attitoood and you’ll get it.”, the guy offered me the first AHA experience about Rap. He should know. He was the young 20 something who was being interviewed as he stepped off his stretch limo. I had gone to drop off a hysterical gang of teenagers at this Rap Concert. (Is that an oxymoron?)

All of us happen to meet pesky people in our life. We find others stepping on our shoes and we step on others’ shoes many times. An easy solution to handle such tricky scenarios or people is to look at them with wonder or amusement. Instead of getting upset by their worst or best habits, [...]

Humour has an amazing power. It emancipates us from the oppressive, uncontrollable facts of life. It emboldens us, enabling us to accept our condition and move on. The insane man has no sense of humor, but the man in possession of it has a rational, realistic view of the world. He can laugh equally hard [...]

Many years ago, in the 15th and 16th centuries there was a part of Great Britain that was as lawless as it gets. This was the region in the North of England/South of Scotland which is now called The Borders. This was good cattle country but it fell between the jurisdiction of the Scottish Kings [...]