The Middle

The author reflects on the influence of teachers, citing examples like Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Kalam, Tagore, Gandhi, and Mandela. These figures instilled values and knowledge, proving that teaching transcends the classroom, ultimately celebrating the 'eternal spirit of the guru.'

The author finds intellectual freedom and joy at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, a former Viceregal Lodge. It was gifted by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who prioritized scholarship over a ceremonial presidential retreat. The institute fosters deep thinking and research, enriching the nation with ideas.

A friend, known for his booming voice and love of English literature, was prescribed a month of silence by his doctor due to strained vocal cords. The author, concerned, attempts to offer encouragement by reframing the silence as an opportunity for introspection and spiritual growth, similar to the practice of Maun Vrat.

The author encountered a terrible road in rural India, despite road signs. This highlighted citizens' apathy towards the state's responsibility, even in cities, reflected by poor infrastructure and broken government promises. The barber's cynical view on the road's construction underscored this collective attitude.

Moving triggered a rediscovery of a letter from the author's grandmother, revealing her support and pride during the author's training. The grandmother, a progressive figure, provided unwavering encouragement and shaped the author's values and aspirations, becoming a guiding influence. The letter brought back fond childhood memories and highlighted the grandmother's impact on the author's life.

Seeking a female driver led to unexpected reactions, exposing societal biases. Jokes and doubt from friends highlighted ingrained stereotypes. Despite celebrating women's achievements, a woman driver was met with ridicule, revealing a disconnect. Real change requires embracing women in everyday roles, not just high-profile ones.

An aunt, her son, and the narrator walked 16 km to Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib, despite family doubts. Driven by determination and a shared desire for the long walk, they started at dawn. After encountering sunrise, villages, and a near-fall, they reached the gurdwara, celebrated with langar, and considered it a test of mental strength.

The author, a civil servant, initially disliked yoga during training but later embraced it to escape bureaucratic stress. Despite awkward attempts at poses, the author now values the 30-minute daily respite from work demands, offering a break from calls, questions, and data analysis.

The author observes a man among Ganesha idols, triggering memories of their grandmother's devotion. Modern rituals have lost their intimacy, replaced by commercialism and new idols. The author concludes that true devotion resides not in offerings, but in the enduring impact of meaningful moments.

In 1977, a student's dissection of a frog led to a lab panic. The incident highlighted insufficient anesthesia. The helpful lab technician, Garib Dass, later assisted the student. Animal dissections are now largely phased out due to ethical concerns.

Modern society is saturated with requests for customer feedback, fueled by intense competition and the desire for social proof. This constant demand for validation, often intrusive, pressures individuals and impacts the effectiveness of genuine feedback mechanisms, despite its importance in various fields.

The essay highlights various forms of parental love: a grandfather's gentle care for his grandchild, a soldier's father's silent worry, and a mother's enduring concern for her son's well-being, all demonstrating love's quiet, consistent nature.

Army horses and mules served for 18-20 years, with exceptional individuals exceeding that. Zorawar provided black horseshoes, Jagatmata nurtured orphan foals, and ‘engine’ mares led young horses. Pedongi set a record, and Bholu, a trick-performing mule, entertained with dramatic 'death' scenes.

BACK in 1994, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, then PM’s Scientific Adviser and the DRDO Secretary, visited Army War College, Mhow. His interactive session was meant for senior officers of the three services who were attending the combined operational review evaluation...

In 1979 Hoshiarpur, a young boy secretly delivered rented novels for his sister, earning small change. This 'quick commerce' involved dodging his father's disapproval and fueled his love for reading Hindi comics. He later realized it was early entrepreneurial experience.

THE gentleman at the grocery shop wasn’t buying ketchup so much as making a foreign policy statement. “Ae kitthe di hai?” he asked, pointing at a bottle of Heinz. “Kinne di hai?” the shopkeeper replied helpfully. “No, no,” came the...

WHEN I was in my teens, I carried the first stirrings of a fear of stray dogs. Their staccato barks and unyielding gaze used to unnerve me. I would alter my route home if it meant avoiding a stretch of...

THE other day, a new word, ‘vexillology’, captured my attention. “Has it something to do with ‘vexing’ people?” I mused. No, said the online dictionary. Vexillology is the study of flags, their evolution and the relationships between symbols, identity and...

A street vendor in Chandigarh shared a story about a one-legged stranger who helped him. Stranded in the rain, the vendor received aid from a man with one leg, a small act of kindness that the vendor considered a miracle, proving that help can come in unexpected forms.

A principal reflects on an encounter with parents who wanted their son's newspaper subscription canceled because he made paper airplanes. The parents, especially the teacher mother, disapproved of such childish behavior, highlighting the pressure on children to meet adult expectations and the loss of simple joys. The principal, however, cherishes childhood and vows to protect it.

The narrator unexpectedly reunited with his long-lost friend, Humraaz, at a market. Humraaz revealed he found freedom by deleting unwanted contacts after quitting his corporate job. He described deleting numbers as removing burdens, achieving a sweeter silence. The narrator envied his liberation.

Raksha Bandhan has shifted from a bond of faith to a commercialized, formal event. Originally rooted in care and protection, the festival now emphasizes gifts and social media, potentially overshadowing the true meaning: mutual support and presence in each other's lives.

The author observes daily ironies: slick advertisements promoting cleanliness, beauty, and wellness juxtaposed with rampant pollution, poverty, and decay in the city. These contrasts highlight the city's deceptive facade, where truth is obscured by superficial promises.

In the 1980s, the author observed Adis in Arunachal Pradesh practicing Donyi-Polo. Later, during 2004-06, he witnessed socio-economic changes, including the spread of Christianity. He saw a shift in religious practices, exemplified by abandoned nature worship hall.

As Public Grievance Officer, the author assisted a farmer, Harnek Singh, whose irrigation time was reduced. After listening empathetically, the author explained the situation, adhering to regulations. The farmer's main need was to be heard, which brought relief.