We need to decide on a topic for this week’s column. Any ideas? There are still just over two weeks to go until the winter session of Parliament, so our planned article on pre-legislative consultation on the bill isn’t exactly a hot topic. Put that aside for now. Do an article on India-Canada relations? Are there any public policy issues that could be turned into a compelling 800-word article? How about: Five reasons affecting Jharkhand and Maharashtra polls? Political. Topic. Be insightful (whatever that means!).
control. substitute. delete.
This is all in the heart. There are no statistics. There is no in-depth data. Compared to AD (after demigods), the economic status is not as good as BC (before ChampionPM). No political wisecracks. Put all that aside.
This week’s column is about two people I know from Kolkata, Dr. Sandip Chatterjee (63) and Ratul Sood (58). This week’s column is about Rohit Bal (63) and Bibek Debroy (69), two guys from Delhi who I’ve never met, just read. All four were gone. This is not a quartet obituary. Nor is it an elegy for four accomplished gentlemen living in the urban jungle, also known as Indian cities. Their recent deaths—both about my age—made me think more about life. And life. As John Lennon said: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans!”
Growing up, football was my favorite outdoor sport. You’ll never guess what my favorite indoor “sport” is. Contract Bridge! My father encouraged my two younger brothers (Andy and Barry) and I to take up bridge as teenagers. There was a time in my 20s and 30s when I played bridge three times a week. I had never competed beyond local club level but loved the sport. well. Between shooting multi-camera quiz shows in Mumbai TV studios and a career in politics over the past two decades, this mesmerizing card game has become just a memory.
That changed last week.
More than 25 years later, my old bridge friends organized a three-hour meeting at DI, a club in Kolkata that we call our second home. These include Joe (94), Elias (84), Nikki (79) and a 63-year-old man. After the game, they assured me that I hadn’t lost my touch. What a wonderful afternoon. With childlike enthusiasm, I shared a photo from the session with my two siblings. Here’s what one of them responded verbatim on WhatsApp.
“This afternoon is significant for three reasons.
(i) You take the time to dig deep – and do what you really want to do, even if it’s just once in a while!
(ii) These gentlemen are still in good health, sharp minds and doing what they want to do at 94, 84 and 79 years old!
(iii) You’re still good at it – meaning your mind can “organize” itself when needed.
Is there anything else I want to share on the topic of living life to the fullest? Of course, we need to add a few more paragraphs. Or maybe insert an anecdote or two. After all, this newspaper’s understanding is that the column I write should be “about 800 words.” The word count is now 550 words.
So what now? Write another 200 words to reach your goals, goals, destinations. Or just enjoy the ride.
I would choose the latter. Thanks
The author is a member of parliament and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Party (Rajya Sabha). Research source: (author’s parents) (late) Joyce and Neil O’Brien
