Trumpet Lead

If zero is the hero of numbers, let’s not forget life begins with one single cell! It dominates the scene unlike any other number. Whether it comes to job performance or life’s milestones or even TV channel ratings, being “number 1” can make or break any situation. We feel butterflies fluttering in our stomachs the first time we fall in love, feel amazing joy and pride when we get our first salary, our love knows no bounds for our firstborn child. Here’s an ode to this one and only number – because we live only once!

Two decades ago, something unprecedented happened in the history of Indian television with the start of the mythological series Ramayana. Each Sunday morning roads were deserted as people sat alert in front of their televisions watching the epic life of Lord Rama. Legend has it that some of the more devout viewers even took off their slippers before watching! It was the ’80s and until the next century, no other TV show captured the Indian imagination to such an extent. Then one fateful day in 2000 the legendary baritone of Amitabh Bachchan boomed into our living rooms. Deviyon aur sajjanon…

One fine day, driving home after a rather awkward situation with my tight-fisted German boss, I began to dwell on what exactly we Indians mean when we use ‘ek’ (one) in conversation. My boss had asked me to come into his office, prompting my instant response: ‘Yes, I’ll be there in one minute’. After 10 minutes, as I chirpily walked into his office, he said, with a raised eyebrow: “Which part of 1 minute is a quarter of an hour for you?” As he questioned me I realised what I’d actually meant was “Boss, I’ll be in your office shortly,…