(This post, in a way, is a sequel of ‘The little Warrior’ posted in August.) Independence brought no change in my life. I still had to go to school every day. I still could not join my brother and his friends in their fun and frolic every evening. On the positive side though, I could … Continue reading A child’s view of life following independence
"नाम?" "जितेंद्र शंकर भटनागर." "पिता का नाम?" "श्री प्रेम शंकर भटनागर." "कहाँ के रहने वाले हो?" "शामली, ज़िला मुज़फ़्फ़र नगर का." "D.D. College, मुज़फ़्फ़र नगर में पढ़ते थे?" "जी नहीं. मुज़फ़्फ़र नगर में इस नाम का कोई College नहीं है. S.D. College है." "क्या तुमने S.D. College से M.A. नहीं किया?" "मैंने कभी M.A. किया … Continue reading 1965 का युद्ध और मैं
The news today: - Jammu Rajdhani Express derails at New Delhi Railway station. Prime Ministers Shinzo Abe of Japan and Narendra Modi of India lay the foundation of India’s first superfast train at Ahmedabad. This is not the first railway accident this month. In fact, since the now well-known accident at Khatauli on August 19, … Continue reading Do we really need superfast trains?
Soon after independence in 1947, my family had moved from Nagpur, capital of the then Central Provinces and Berar, to our ancestral place Shamli in Uttar Pradesh. Though a district headquarter now, Shamli was a small kasbah then. Educational facilities were almost non-existent. The nearest good school and college were in Muzaffarnagar, 37 kilometres away. … Continue reading Baa Baa Black Sheep
Is that your Chevrolet outside?’ He asked me. ‘It is not a Cheverolet. It’s a Buick.’ Replied I, scornfully. We both guffawed. यह सुधीर से मेरी पहली मुलाकात थी जो आगे चल कर प्रगाढ़ मित्रता में बदल गई. कुछ समय से मैं YMCA, लखनऊ में रह रहा था. दोपहर का खाना खाने के लिए वहीं … Continue reading सुधीर और मैं
Dear Cousin Leo Your response to my autobiography set me thinking. Sherry’s letter was thought provoking too. I have been introspecting ever since and have come to the conclusion that there is much in what the two of you have revealed. Yes, I was probably too conceited to believe that I owned Pramiti and Gautam. … Continue reading Ariel responds
Dear Ariel and Leo I am Sherry, your ‘poor’ distant cousin. I am not a recognised breed. While you and the likes of you trace your ancestry to such far off countries like UK, Germany, Italy, Canada etc, I and my brethren inhabit the slums and roads of the great Indian subcontinent. We do not … Continue reading Sherry reacts to Ariel & Leo
