Our World in Years I look around at the toxic waste we generate each day, the natural resources like coal and petroleum that we plunder, and the resources that we pollute like water and air and it seems as if we are set on the path of self-destruction. We are a generation of thoughtless, selfish people who do not think past our ‘now’, our ‘present’. Hundred years from now wild animals...

Grandma’s Gramophone and My Ipod Grandma’s gramophone held the pride of place on the table and it was covered with red velvet and lace. The “arm” of the gramophone held a needle that read the grooves in the record by vibration and transmitted the information to the gramophone speaker. Grandmas gramophone was huge with a big bell shaped thing that emitted the music. I looked at my iPod which was tiny...

Friends Friendship is that beautiful bond that binds people. Friendship knows no caste, no creed, and no status. Two people are drawn to each other by things they share in common and they slowly develop a strong bond based on trust, love and understanding. Friends care for each other, love each other, and stand up for each other. They are the little angels that look out for us here on earth....

My Dream The sea was quiet and it seemed as if I was all alone. It was a beautiful day and I turned on my back to float, the sun rays kissing my face. Suddenly a group of clouds came out of nowhere and blocked the sunlight. I was happy, now I could float with my eyes open. As I watched the sky, I noticed that the clouds were so many...

My Summer Vacation Summer vacation at Goa was like a dream come true. The white sand, the swaying palm fronds, the calm waters were picture perfect. No matter where we went in Goa it felt like it was siesta time. This languidness is typical not just of Goa’s landscape, it extends to its inhabitants and it permeates everything around. Dad had rented a little bungalow by the beach and every morning...

Ramdas Padhye: The Master Puppeteer Ramdas Padhye the Indian ventriloquist, puppeteer, and puppet-maker is unquestionably the King of Ventriloquism in India. For over forty years, he has singularly dominated this profession. Ramdas received his formal training in the art of ventriloquism and puppetry from his late father Prof. Y.K. Padhye. At the age of 23, Ramdas performed before the Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi in New Delhi and true...

The School Band It was a prestigious thing to be a part of the School Band. I auditioned for it twice before I got selected to be part of it. Our school was big and at any point of time there were at least 3000 students studying in it. The Band was huge, and comprised of a group of musicians one pianist, two drummers, 10 guitarists, 15 violinists, 20 flutists, and...

Joining Boarding School I had earned a reputation for being notorious. One day, when I was in the fifth grade, Dad decided that he had given me enough chances and told Mom that he was sending me to Boarding school. Reading all those Malory Tower books had made me yearn to go to boarding school. Rockfeller Boarding school was in Panchgani, an overnight journey from where my parents lived. I had...