Of Bomb Blasts and Kid Reporters

Remember this year's bomb blasts in Delhi? The office was in a hubbub that unforgettable evening with various reporters calling in with news on the explosions.

How could the Editor's young son be left behind? The baby babbler frantically called up his father to give him this valuable piece of information

"Papa! Aajtak mein Breaking News hain ki Maharani Bagh mein koi bomb blast nahin."

Well, this is one kid with the right nose for news.

Of Shaggy Beards and Warm Welcomes

When Abgeoth Varghese came to Delhi to take up his traineeship here, he wasn't expecting such a warm welcome.

The Mallu lad was quite taken aback when police came calling at his PG residence.

Apparently, the shaggy beard Abgeoth was rearing hadn't quite created the right impression. Well, matters were soon sorted out and the men in khaki left convinced Aby was no militant.

Is it a coincidence he's all cleanshaven now? We certainly don't think so.

Of Navy Brides and Colaba Condos

Yes, Shivika is living life as it ought to be lived - to the fullest.

As the newly-arrived bride, Shivika is the cynosure of all eyes in Navy circles and the star attraction at Mumbai cliques.

With husband Amit, the former journo damsel now resides in a 10th floor flat of a plush condo at Colaba which overlooks the sea.

Shivika spends her mornings admiring the beautiful view from her windows - gazing for a minute or two at the INS Viraat 'parked' in her 'backyard'.

In fact, her first engagement in the financial capital of India was a social do onboard the INS Trishul where the doe-eyed beauty was feted - and Shivika admits she loved every minute of it.

Shivika has even fraternised with the defence wives' club here and is making her mark too. But she says she's really missing her friends here.

We're missing you too, Shivika - and we're glad you are having the time of your life. Enjoy.

Of Thai Brides and Indian Maids

Not many know of the Thai connection in Sumit's life. Turns out the Haryanvi lad's elder brother - a thriving IT professional in Bangkok - married a Thai citizen three years ago.

Circa 2005 - the Thai couple is visiting Delhi and Sumit's taking a few days off to show them around and also accompany them to the family's ancestral house in the vicinity of Chandigarh.

Sumit's parents had been dead against the marriage but true love and Kanjana (yes, that's this practising Buddhist's name) prevailed.

This time around, Sumit's toddler niece would also be visiting India and our colleague will finally get someone to 'Uncle' him around.

When we asked Sumit whether he would be following in his brother's footsteps, we were rewarded with a somewhat obscure reply.

"I'm not in love with any Indian girl," he says.

Does that mean he would settle for a Thai one then? One never knows - considering Sumit did spend some time in Bangkok attending his brother's nuptials.

People reminded of the controversy surrounding the mysterious mark on Sumit's chin some weeks ago, may also please take note of the statement.

Meanwhile, Sumit's also been having domestic problems of another kind.

His maid, like every most other maids in the capital city, is highly irresponsible. She burns vegetables on the gas with unflinching ease and had even locked apna Sumit in his house by mistake, that too when the Business correspondent was getting late for office.

No, we are not aware if she has any designs on Sumit but if so, we can be sure it's only a one-way thing. Coz Sumit's gone right ahead and fired her.

'Peace at last' - that's the only refrain we can hear tolling in Sumit's cranium. And we wish him peace for many more years to come.