Music Maestro A R Rahman’s love for cycle did not surprise. He recollects his 45-minute ride from home to a bookshop to buy music-focused magazines in Chennai long ago — perhaps before Roja days. (1) Rahman kept cycles at his Mumbai residence and London as well. Colleagues warned him about…

Around Xmas 2022, I never thought of cycling. Because I never had one. I had one 40 years ago when I used to commute for work in Bengaluru in the late 1970s. In less than 100 days, it is a reality. A 7-gear cycle occupies space in my life. Not…

“Gone mad?” thus spake my begum on a recent chilly February morning, noticing my loud, hearty laughter. Not once, but at frequent intervals. Blame it on Vikram Doraiswami, our High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, for me abruptly dropping Fyodor Dostovysky’s spirituality-loaded The Karamazov Brothers and “Kindl’ing P G Wodehouse’s…

I rubbed my eyes in disbelief when Smita Saldanha* said: “Don’t laugh at me when I say that I have completed a dip stick survey of happiness level among long haul truck drivers!” I puked almost at the dim-lit restaurant sipping my coriander lemon soup. The twenty-something was sitting in…

The first part of the budget session got over. Members of Parliament have returned to their homes or constituencies. Some continue to be in Delhi to attend parliamentary committee meetings. The Adani issue continues to dominate the political and media space. It is unlikely to die soon. Don’t be surprised…

On a metaphysical plane, the destination may be the same, but the route to that final point may be many. For instance, we all believe in one Super Power whom we call by different names and worship in different styles. Even those who follow the same religion may differ in…

As we sat down at Alps Residency on National Highway 48 alias Golden Quadrilateral for the final day of 300 KM — over — 3days Cycle Yatra-1 in Krishnagiri (also my birthplace), Tamilnadu, the caller at the other end said: “I am here!”. Seated near the entrance to the glass-fronted…

I did not anticipate that there would be no breakfast on day one of the Cycle Yatra-1, originating from Chennai Marina beach on the death anniversary of the Father of the Nation. Quarter to seven, we began pedaling, braving the leaky sky following an excellent send-off with a ribbon cutting…

They came. They spoke. They blessed. They cut the ribbon. They flagged us off. A great honor, indeed. Who is this “they?” The men and women are drawn from the logistics/supply chain and sports world. Why did they come? Where did they congregate? Good questions. Venue: Marina Beach, Chennai Purpose…