It has indeed been an eventful flight for a man who says that as a child he was fascinated whenever planes flew over his village. The fascination took him to the Indian Air Force, and soon flying became a passion. At barely 50, he had seen and done it all. Wars decorations and the highest position in the Air Force had all been ‘done’. Actually, he never ‘retired.’ From being the Air Chief, he went on to become India’s Ambassador to Switzerland in 1964. A number of other assignments followed, and after a hiatus in the 1990s he is now back in command. He has been named the-first- ever Marshal of the Indian Air Force—the rarest of rare honours.

From a lover’s diary
by Komal Singh
"I hate her", echoed the deepest recesses of my wounded heart. Not only the heart; she had left her impact on every organ, tissue, cartilage or cell. Love it was and I became mad in it. I went blind, lost my sense of discrimination, lost my friends, just to get her.

A prayer built with hope, sustained by patience
by Rooma Mehra
THE other day I woke up with a song in my heart. It was Saturday. The warmth in the winter breeze spelt welcome to spring — at last. An hour later, I sat with barely curbed impatience in an autorickshaw.

The tragedy continues
by Laxmi Murthy
WHAT can one do if the food, the soil, the water and one's own body are contaminated with toxic chemicals? How does one live live a healthy life and earn a livelihood? How can anyone overlook the violation of human rights by a powerful corporate for which it was never brought to book?

Handling a hangover
by Mohinder Singh
A HANGOVER is said to be the nature’s way of telling you that you got drunk. "I’ve never understood why nature goes to the bother, since millions of wives pass on this information," says a wit.

HOLLYWOOD HUES
Chocolat excellent blend of form & content
by Ervell E. Menezes
IT is not often that one gets to see two non-American films (even if they are distributed by American companies) on the commercial circuit. I’m speaking of Chocolat and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, both based in Europe. In both the movies, the directors go about narrating their story in the style of typical Continental cinema.

Turbocharge your stamina
by Anandita Chhabra
IN this day and age of killer careers, unflagging social schedules and deadline-defined lives, your stamina always heads in one direction—down! Before your fast-paced life drains you of all your energy and zest, recharge your batteries through a few simple tactics.