The Mosaic Law of the Biblical Old Testament that advocated an eye for an eye was turned upside down in the New Testament with the Lord Jesus Christ asking his disciples to turn the other cheek. This dictum greatly influenced the non-violence preached by Mahatma Gandhi. Referring to the Mosaic Law Gandhiji had said that…

(“A Handful of Stardust” by Dr Roshan Jacob IAS, published by Wisdom Tree, Newdelhi; pages 82, price Rs 199/-) Poetry is something that emerges from both heart and mind, and sometimes merges with the soul. “A Handful of Stardust” by Dr Roshan Jacob IAS (36) falls in this genre. The thoughts expressed through verse are…

The article, “Holy Communion for Divorced  & Remarried “ by Cardinal Jorge Estevez of the Vatican, (July 2006) was indeed thought provoking.  Much of what I read provoked my dormant feelings of anger and disgust at the hypocrisy and insensitivity prevalent in the Catholic Church. Besides being married for 22 years (not very long) I…

(“The Naked Liberal, an Anthology of George Menezes”, edited by Selma Carvalho, published by Cinnamon Teal Publishing, Goa, pages 209, price Rs 295/-) Naked, liberal, George Menezes, Goa – enough to get most men salivating! The last time I saw a cover page of naked, liberal Goa it was when that “dirty old man” Khushwant…

According to the historians there are only about 400 Samaritans remaining today. They are referring to an ethnic group that was re-located in Samaria about 800 BC by the then king of Assyria. They were despised by the Jews, who considered themselves a “pure” race; while the Samarians were of mixed origin. Why such interest…

Bangalore is of course best known for its IT sector, which is a cause of anxiety even for U.S. President Obama who keeps raising the bogey of Bangalore snatching jobs from the U.S.  Bangalore is also known for the Kind of Good Times – no prizes for guessing who that Kingfisher is!  You will have…