The piercing sound of the long lash caught my attention as a man approached the road. He was half-naked, wearing a type of palazzo-style garment on his lower body. His back was painted red, and he periodically lashed himself to the rhythm of the music. After a while, he began to beg for money. When the traffic signal turned green, we all rushed back to reality, driving forward before the lights turned red again. As I began to drive, I couldn’t help but wonder what the beggar hoped for in life — was it more lashes, more cash, more begging, or perhaps a hot meal? These thoughts lingered with me every time I encountered a situation. At college, I noticed preparations for new admissions were underway. The faculty seemed eager to welcome a new group of students. Many changes were occurring, particularly with the college becoming autonomous. I observed the faculty looking forward to these changes, including new positions and additional responsibilities. I wear a smartwatch, and when I ...
The photograph was dated July 19, 2016. Until now, I hadn’t paid attention to either the date or the car in the picture. In fact, for years afterwards, I didn’t think much about the date at all. I hadn’t picked up my car from the showroom because I wasn’t confident in my driving skills. I had chosen a small, gleaming red coloured car— one of the older models that hadn’t been sold. It stood out, brave and shining, among the newer models that looked so sleek and proud. It seemed like the best option for a novice driver; it suited my budget and was capable of handling difficult drives and narrow parking spaces. The date of purchase coincided with the birthdate of the eminent astronomer and astrophysicist Dr Jayant Narlikar, whom we lost recently. I was recalling the memories of Dr Jayant Narlikar, but the photograph sent me down the memory lane. When I completed my Ph.D., my family and extended family expressed great appreciation. Everyone had kind words to share, but my mother-in-l...