Published in a Few Words·Aug 28, 2021History taught in schools is biased, incomplete and often falseHow the Big Lie can become historically accepted fact in the future — When I was in high school in the late 50’s my favorite subject was history and it is still my favorite subject. I scored high in history due to an impressive memory capacity. I could recall all the Moghul emperors of India followed by all the British Viceroys. The text…History3 min read
Aug 26, 2021Growing up on Apollo StreetComing of age in 1950’s Bombay I lived at 99 Apollo Street, Fort, Bombay from the age of 5 to 11 or six of my most formative years. Our large joint family of 14 souls over 3 generations had moved into a former brothel in the business district of Bombay…Bombay6 min read
Aug 17, 2021Member-onlyThe prevalence of institutionalized corruptionThe functioning of endemic corruption in the US and India — Having lived in four countries over the more than seven decades of my life I have concluded that corruption is endemic in all of them. I have lived in India for 22 years, Egypt for 4 years, Singapore for 9 years and USA for 43 years. …Corruption5 min read
Jul 28, 2021Member-onlyThe disappearance of the oral story telling traditionThe steady erosion of a unique human trait — When I was growing up there was no television or any other form of entertainment. Our entertainment was either from reading or telling each other stories. When friends congregated they told stories rather than stare at small screens. …Storytelling3 min read
Published in a Few Words·Jul 26, 2021Member-onlyExcuse me I am still talkingCultural norms affect our group behavior — During the vice presidental debate of 2020, VP Kamala Harris smacked down Mike Pence when he interrupted her saying she was still talking. I cheered her quick repartee and wished more folks had the guts to do the same. In the culture I grew up in the tendency to interrupt…Life Lessons2 min read
Apr 11, 2021Member-onlyContemplating the travails of daily lifeMy knee pain resulting from doing a simple task has made me question one of life’s challenges during my childhood — The other day I had to change the seat on the toilet to a soft seat as it was getting a bit uncomfortable to use a wooden seat. I checked on Youtube where I learn about how to do anything around the house and it seemed easy so I ordered…Culture5 min read
Published in a Few Words·Apr 2, 2021Member-onlyYearning for rain in the Bay AreaThe unrivaled feeling of joyous relief from scorching heat and stifling humidity — California is in the throes of another mulityear drought. The rainy season from November to March has been disappointing. In the Bay Area where I live the rainfall so far has been less than half the normal amount. Every time there’s a forecast of rain we gaze hopefully at the…Monsoon2 min read
Dec 5, 2020Member-onlyMexico City- the most fascinating city in North America since the 15th centuryA fabulous underrated travel destination — Most Americans associate Mexico with drugs and crime. The reality is far different at least in Mexico City the capital of the country and the first globalized city in the world. For a historical perspective the book 1493 by Charles Mann is a treasure trove of factoids on how civilizations…Mexico6 min read
Sep 17, 2020Member-onlyHubris is the main reason USA has the largest number of Covid casesThe US needs a national masking mandate immediately — The CDC director Rober Redfield told the Senate yesterday he believed face masks were “the most important, powerful public health tool we have” to combat coronavirus. “This face mask is more guaranteed to protect me against Covid than when I take a Covid vaccine” he said. When Covid emerged in…Covid 194 min read
Aug 14, 2020Member-onlyHas Covid ended my travel freedomI will miss the life affirming exhilirating experiences — I often recall gazing at a stock picture of the Golden Gate bridge on an old calendar on a cracked wall in our tiny apartment in Bombay at age 16 when I suddenly developed an urge to travel the world. I yearned to expand my limited view of the world…Travel9 min read