Varanasi. Hindu holy city on the east bank of the Ganges. Hindus earnestly believe that death in Varanasi sends the soul to salvation. Varanasi has many ashrams for the stay of pilgrims. But one ashram is for a special set of pilgrims. Those who come to this ashram called ‘Moksh Dham’ come when they…
A divine healer in a church called out, “Anyone with special need who wishes to be prayed for?” With that, Thomas, joined the line. Pastor asked, “Thomas, what do you want me to pray for?” Thomas replied, “Pastor, I need you to pray for my hearing problem.” The Pastor placed one finger on…
Rang Barse sung by Amitabh Bachchan blared as residents of a gated colony gyrated to the number. A famished family consisting of an old man and granddaughter aged 10 watched the proceedings blaming their stars. They could not party as they missed the train to Darbhangha. Suddenly there was a pandemonium as the 10-year-old girl…
I lived in the most beautiful valley on earth in Kashmir. The sight of the snow-capped mountains, the sounds of the flowing river striking against numerous boulders on its path, the long winding roads going up and down and the lines of green trees along the paths made this place truly a paradise on…
There lived in the late seventies, in the street behind ours, one Mr Mody, who was the secretary (a matriculate, who had risen in ranks from a clerk) of the then Finance minister of Punjab. He was charming, yet cunning, with a zest to live beyond his means. I went to meet his son, who…