INDIRA LAISRAM

If you recall that one on ' young friend' and her turbulent relationship with alleged phoney, two-timer (journalism allows you to call a person whatever, but, of course, inserting an 'alleged' to get away with defamation charges:))… I was pretty wrong in my diagnosis of that relationship. Phoney man got back and young friend has sorted problems and resumed friendship. I was so scared she'd turn neurotic basing on how much heartache she suffered then at feeling dumped. It's the best of the world now for young friend.

When most people would say dumbing down of content, ideas, etc., etc., I almost think of 'being dumped'. Silly, but all great men have their moments of immaturity. This dumping business is mired in tears and rants. Years ago, while in college, friend Sambha came to class with swollen eyes --my close brush with 'dump'. Bunking the next class and several others till lunch break, we were sitting huddled in a corner of the canteen discuss…

"Inflatable CEOs is fine"
"That can't be the headline"
"What about brand CEO or cult CEO?"
"No... doesn't work"
"Inflated CEOs then"
"Inflatable CEOs is fine... you have inflatable girlfriends, inflatable boyfriends..."

Never mind if I thought about only inflatable toys. This is a gem of a discussion on headlines in a typical newsroom setting. And as you can see, it's a fight for English, sometimes hilariously, sometimes a little less. Well, David Crystal can go take a break.My sister who worked in a call centre and monitored calls has some of the best stories. Graduates from all over India work here and they have their own flair for the language and skills of communication, unique to each. Sample these. Note they are all addressed to clients abroad.

"Can I talk to Linda in the accounts payable, please"
"She's not there right now"
"Fir bhii...""Is it Nancy [sometimes it's Berbera,…

I haven't written about my recent trip to my very lovely hometown of Shillong. I was wallowing in grief at having to leave behind Dylan. It is apparent by now, I have written so much on this.

The abode of the clouds – that’s the touristy description of Shillong. But there’s so much more to this wonderful, wonderful hill town in the country’s remotest region. The pine trees, clear blue skies and fact that you can actually experience four seasons in a day are, perhaps, Shillong’s best attributes. In fact, there is a joke among guys that the weather in Shillong is as unpredictable as its girls. Well my take on this is that Shillong’s women are famous for their looks, so the joke is actually about disillusioned men!

Each time I go to Shillong, a wave of childhood nostalgia floods me -- of days spent wandering near the brooks, wading through the rains to reach school in gum boots and raincoats, attending fetes, walking through the lanes and bylines to visit friends whose cottages surroun…

Three weeks ago, I sent Dylan home to the north-east. I had my reasons. I thought he would find a permanent home among people who will love him and care for him, such that I wouldn't have to worry about his future. Perhaps, I made a gross mistake.

On reaching Guwahati, Dylan was welcomed with open arms. The welcome was but short-lived as everyone feared him because of his size. And the more he warmed up to people, the more people distanced themselves from him, save my six-year old niece Likla who showered him with all the affection and love that he so badly craved for. She had no fear but lots and lots of love for Dylan. They became thick friends within moments of his arrival.

But with the rest of the family taking time to adjust to him and vice versa, Dylan became more of a burden. So a dog-lover family came forward to adopt him and he was given to them. But being hyper and irritable, he just could not adjust in the company of that doting family and when I reached Guwahati on the …