THE DOG'S DIWALI

During Diwali, my dog Sando (a hardy Indian dog) has a ritual: he starts living under the bed until the fireworks go away. This includes staying put during mealtimes: He would rather die of starvation than face the fireworks. We feel sorry for him and he gets served under the bed. But even then most of the time his bowl stays untouched.

I don't know why Sando feels safe under the bed because the noise level cannot be any lower there. Or for that matter anywhere else. My other dog, Kalu (another Indian dog), blissfully gets through Diwali without any complaints. On occasions, when the blast-and-burst sounds cross a certain decibel, Kalu may frown, sigh, and change his position. His subtle protest. But running for cover under the bed is just not his style.  And his considerable appetite is not in the least affected.

But one thing is very strange about Sando. For a dog who is so petrified of loud sounds, he never gives up on his walks: come what ear-shattering firecracker. The moment he hears "walk-walk", he sprints form under the bed and posts himself at the gate.
On the road too Sando is a brave soul. While other dogs go cowering under cars and drains, Sando struts the streets. Kalu, of course, is the coolest. I know Sando is scared deep down because when we head back home and near the gate, he runs into the house and dives under the bed!
But call out "walk-walk" and he's ready in a moment to glide the streets and ignore the detonating bombs. Just what is this dog thinking?!

THE FIRST COMMENT

My erratic blog got it's first comment (and a positive one at that) and I' m feeling, well, elated.What surprises me is that you are never jaded or cynical enough to remain untouched by a response to what you have written. Blog post or cover story, as long as someone reads what you write, life is wonderful. 

Every time, since the first time, I have seen my byline in print I have experienced that high. My first job was at a lifestyle magazine and my obsession with bylines did not go unnoticed by my editor. She used to say that after the annual appraisal it would kick me more to get an increment measured in point size of bylines than, perhaps, ordinary money. Very true.

My campaign against modest Indian bylines, in favour of the ones GQ, Vanity Fair, and Esquire crowned their writers with (on the cover! and again inside in huge fonts!) made no impression with the editor.

Of course, TV journalists have their faces plastered on the tube with matching fame matches. And columnists have prominent bylines and professionally-lit photos accompanying their text on printed pages. But the humble byline just by itself never did break the glass-ceiling.

 But I got a more than satisfactory compensation while still at the magazine.

My colleagues at the magazine (under the direction of our editor) gave me a birthday card that I have treasured and treasured till now. The card has the mock-up of a cover story I had done for the magazine. The same celebs were decorating the cover but splashed in huge fonts on the "cover" right across the centre was my byline!!! 

Yes, it has been my best birthday card ever. :-)