It was more than a couple of decades ago when I met Dr. Das in a fishing suburb of Bombay. Jyoti Basu, the Communist Chief Minister of Bengal was his idol, and I, then a chronic patient of malaria, his favourite patient. Das charged the fisherfolk Rs. 2 in the name of consultation and Rs. … Continue reading The Doctor and the Infidel
Author: vishumenon
BEWARE, THERE’S A PRIEST IN THE CHURCH
Bishop Franco Mulakkal, the man of God, travelled from Kerala to far-North Jalandhar in Punjab to spread the good word. While thus servicing God, he also serviced a couple of nuns following the example set by the Holy Ghost some 33 years before Crucifixion. Bishop Franco continued having fun for a couple of years - … Continue reading BEWARE, THERE’S A PRIEST IN THE CHURCH
The 98% Atheist
Why you're never too sure No one can be certain or otherwise about the existence of God, unless you define God. If you mean a God who is eternally retributive rather than reformative (as is the case with all Abrahamic belief systems), common sense and the modern concept of morality negates the possibility of such … Continue reading The 98% Atheist
On the Flightless Wings of a Prayer
My daughter wants me to wish her a great day when she goes out to work. I wish her without fail, not beccause I believe it would make any difference. I believe that what matters is how things happen in her office and how she reacts to them. She believes a wish or a prayer … Continue reading On the Flightless Wings of a Prayer
The Mystery of Death Toll in Balakot
There is little doubt that India's Miraj pilots bombed the area that was indicated to them in the briefing. They flew in the dark by Instrument Flying Rules. The target was hidden amid trees. There was no one there to light a flare and show the exact spot. Latitude and Longitude data they were supplied … Continue reading The Mystery of Death Toll in Balakot
My Literary Fix – Hamid Dubashi Review on Rushdie’s Verses
I have always held that Satanic Verses was not Salman Rushdie's best work. It was catapulted into fame or notoriety (depending on whom you ask) by the 1989 fatwa by the Supreme cleric of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini. The Fatwa made Khomeini a religious authority - at least in respect of the murder call - for … Continue reading My Literary Fix – Hamid Dubashi Review on Rushdie’s Verses
Pulwama: Not a MODIcum of Truth
Of course, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot be accused of meddling with every military or paramilitary move. The PMO does it for him. We do not know what was the urgency on February 14 this year to send 2500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar - one of the most treacherous highways with a long … Continue reading Pulwama: Not a MODIcum of Truth
My Daily Fix 2- The Pastor who beat God
THE PASTOR WHO KILLED SATAN Stories in the Bible gel so well with their own ancient witch-and-wizard tales, that African converts are serious believers in God, Son and the Holy Ghost. I am not sure whether Pastor MBoro of South Africa was merely pulling a fast one to impress his FaceBook followers or actually killed … Continue reading My Daily Fix 2- The Pastor who beat God
My day’s fix- Foolish Guffaw and Sly Ridicule
Sorry, friends, I've been away for some time. Not by choice, but for reasons beyond my control. I'll try making up with a daily fix in the days to come. Here's a fine nexample of foolish guffaw and sly ridicule. Two partners in religion-based crimes : Mohammed bin Salman and Narendra Modi. 2; No misogyny … Continue reading My day’s fix- Foolish Guffaw and Sly Ridicule
FOUR DAYS OF TERROR
When my wife shook me out of some kind of a nightmare I couldn't quite recollect, it was 1:30 in the morning, the first of November, 1984. “Satnam is on the phone,” she said. “Karnail-ji has not come home.” Satnam Kaur was the wife of Karnail Singh Ahluwalia, whom I had nicknamed the Saint Sardar, … Continue reading FOUR DAYS OF TERROR