Random House Publications

 Summer this year is almost upon us as I write this. And of course it only seems hotter and hotter each year. When one lives in Chennai, one has to concede that the choice in weather is not varied. We get three, perhaps four months of pleasant weather when the Gods are kind. At other times its burning hot or blazing hot or fiery hot or sometimes a combination of the three. But the seasoned veterans, having survived many a Chennai summer would agree that it’s not nearly half as bad as these Bangaloreans claim it is. I often  wistfully wonder what it would be like if the big bosses at my workplace decided to give the month of May off for everyone.  Just like back in school.  They would surely see a rise in productivity from this employee.  But I don't think that's likely to happen even if one day the planet Mars crashes directly on to Chennai.  Quite a lot of things  have changed now  besides the lack of summer vacations. When I was a school ki...

"How was your day?" ,I asked apprehensively  . "It was exactly like any other" , replied my father. I was mildly surprised. There had to have been at least something different. This was to be his last day at work. He was retiring from active service that day after a long stint at Ashok Leyland.  We were headed for the party his colleagues were throwing for him. We were driving there in his nice air conditioned car. This was a long cherished dream of his, owning a car . Back when I was in school, my father used to drop us , my brother and me on a two wheeler. I remember how excited our whole family became , when we progressed from a TVS champ with  a baby seat attached at the front to a proper motor cycle , with four gears that had a fuel tank in the front that two small kids could sit on . He didn't know how to ride such a bike but he was confident that he could learn it. A small time mechanic from a nearby shop offered to teach him and pr...