The honest gambler

Saturday 19 July '08

My friend Joe Cummin, a young, beefy Anglo-Indian, was a great race enthusiast and knew every in and out of The Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

The great book bazaar

Tuesday 20 May '08

What drags me to Daryaganj in Old Delhi on most Sundays is the lure of the weekly book bazaar.

Sparrow tunes

Saturday 9 February '08

We were getting used to having her around in our bedroom every morning — a streaked, greyish brown sparrow.

Omens in the sky

Monday 21 May '07

The delays at Delhi’s busy airports — on account of the weather or, more often, the waits for landing clearance — are leaving officials and passengers rather short-tempered.

Whistle stopper

Tuesday 9 January '07

When our first baby arrived in Calcutta, my wife and I started looking for a suitable name.

Shards of memory

Monday 27 November '06

I was about four and learning the rudiments of the alphabet. One of my first attempts at handwriting was to lovingly etch the letter ‘S’...

A man of many parts

Saturday 19 August '06

Except for the high-pitched snoring of the gentleman on the upper berth, the journey to Hardwar in the Mussoorie Express was comfortable.

Taken for a ride

Saturday 27 May '06

Howrah Railway Station, the gateway to Calcutta, is one of the busiest in India. It is unique in many respects.