OUR SOJOURN

Close on the heels of India's entry into the ICC T20 finals yesterday, pipping England to the post, today marks the fifty-fifth debut anniversary of a legend who would become a household name in the cricketing world till eternity, none other than Mr. Sunil Manohar Gavaskar, who donned the India cap, this day, 1971, at Port Of Spain... His journey from the school Harris Shield and Giles Shield to the Test arena encompassed the following First-class teams as well, viz. Vazir Sultan Colt's XI, Associated Cement Company (ACC) XI, U-Foam XI, Bombay, West Zone, Rest of India, Board President's XI, Indian Universities, Rest of the World and Somerset... In a national career that spanned 16 years, the ‘Little Master’ not only saw many records tumbling, but helped in instilling a new confidence in Indian cricket. Regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen to have graced the cricket pitch, his grit, finesse a...

The day to share the fragrance of love and happiness in the air, as well as caring for our loved ones, friends, foes, and all of God’s creations. Without the necessity to splurge, but to show care, just being there for someone... Love and togetherness mean everything in a relationship, requiring a minimum of two persons in good mental and emotional health, and preferably physically fit as well. Taking care of oneself develops kindness which spills over in showing the same to nears and dears and others in general. It could apply to a group, community and nations too... One should have no qualms in putting one's needs first, because only that can realize one's best version. It enables one to "be present" in the loop, in all senses of the terms, including but not necessarily physically, in good times, distress and illness. To show commitment. To give an ear, and shoulder if need be. To respect other's feelings just as one would like others i...

Today is the 78th Punyatithi of an icon of India's freedom movement, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, an embodiment of simplicity in all senses of all it's terms... MK Gandhi existed in a different era, in a less technology driven world, and in a different socio-political scenario. One would do well to go back in time to that cold day of 7th June 1893, Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, South Africa, from where it all began for the then practicing barrister MK Gandhi... MKG, along with a chosen few, has been the butt of criticism and ridicule in our nation over the past decade or so. MKG has been pilloried not only for not overcoming all the tribulations of his times, but for leaving unsolved the problems of the present as well. Thus to re-examine his contribution and legacy in hindsight, with a microscope in hand, is simply being uncharitable to say the least... One may or may not like him, may or may not agree with his decisions and philosophies,...

G. S. STAINES (18 Jan 1941 - 23 Jan 1999) How would one remember Graham Stuart Staines, the Australian missionary who had dedicated his life for the upliftment of the leprosy afflicted in India's Odisha's Mayurbhanj district's town of Baripada? I would say through Mrs. Gladys Staines... An unpardonable homicide took place in the wee hours of January 23, 1999, when Graham and his two sons, Philip and Timothy, were set ablaze whilst asleep inside their station wagon... While the perpetrators were duly caught, and convicted in 2003 with the main accused handed a life sentence, accomplices served long terms in prison, one of them being set free last year... Graham, who began his services from 1965, was joined by Gladys in 1981. The duo, tying the nuptials in 1983, made India their home to raise a family of five till the "mob" in a flash, 27 years ago, reduced it to two - Gladys and daughter Esther... Amidst such unimaginable tragic devastation and gr...

LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI  (2 Oct 1904 - 11 Jan 1966) A distinguished epitome of simplicity and humility, India's second PM Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri left behind a legacy of honesty and integrity, perhaps without a parallel... Known as 'Little Sparrow’ in certain quarters, and the only PM to lose an offspring due to poverty, Shastriji is almost a forgotten hero. Inheriting a bad economy and declining crop production with an impending war, Shastriji rose to the occasion to prove that his 'soft and weak' exterior was reinforced with nerves of steel, Indian troops coming within striking distance of Lahore... Be it his childhood struggles, or his resignation as the minister of railways, or his mother being made to wait patiently at the railway station, or his enforcement of import duty on a car bought by Pandit Nehru’s sister, or that of his own car's loan repayment, Shastriji's life story is studded with touching examples of values of righteousness that shall...

Regarded as the world's most translated milestone document, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) got the UN ratification this day in 1948 as the International Human Rights Day became a reality... The main objective of the day is to protect and promote the human rights of an individual. These rights include economical, social, fundamental and other rights which are to be enjoyed by every citizen of this planet regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status... The theme for 2025 is - “ Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials. ” It underlines the fact that human rights are the foundation for a life filled with respect, opportunity and freedom, and not j ust legal protections... Equality implies embracing our diversities and interactions without discrimination, an affable social order requiring political commitment, the participation of all, specifically the m...