My Childhood & Family
This week’s featured nonsense
How my height of 165 cms has shaped my life till now
August 11, 2026
I am 165 centimetres in height. Before you start feeling bad for me, please understand that 165 centimetres is not short. It is average Indian male height. In India, the national average adult height is approximately 5 feet 5 inches, or 165 centimetres, for men and around 5 feet, or 152 centimetres, for women, and
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While all my teachers had a role in what I am today, two need special mention
I don’t remember any of my teachers till class 8….probably because boys are never meant to remember them. Or probably because till class 8, my brain was being used for … Read more
Even my childhood crushes were secular
After I wrote about the four actresses who have influenced my life over the last fifty years, one of my Facebook friend and reader pointed out something I had not … Read more
The four actresses I planned to marry before I fell for my wife Rekha
There are many things that have influenced my life over the last fifty years. Four things stand out – my father’s Army discipline, my mother’s ability to run a tight … Read more
What if my father had chosen the goats instead of the Indian Army
A few weeks back, I had written about how my father joined the Indian Army. For those who missed it, let me give you a quick recap. My father was … Read more
How the humble ‘tea’ has carried me through life
My mother-in-law and I having tea one cold winter morning in Gurgaon (2018).For many years, I thought a teetotaller was a person who was totally dependent on tea for going … Read more
How and what you order in a restaurant says a lot about you
There are certain moments in life that reveal who you really are. For instance, how you behave with people who have no power over you, how much you panic when … Read more
Surviving a family WhatsApp group requires courage and patience
There are some places from which a man can never escape. For instance, marriage, income tax, and family WhatsApp groups. If you are still studying and haven’t started working, you … Read more
How I have suffered for carrying three religions in my name
Now you know why I am named Jamshed Velayuda Rajan, but you don’t know the lifelong suffering that comes with carrying three religions, one missing surname, and a father’s hope … Read more
How I got my name – Jamshed Velayuda Rajan
Many of you have asked me why I am named Jamshed Velayuda Rajan. Well, here is the full story. My father was born in 1947 in a small village called … Read more
For long I thought wealth was measured in curd
There are two reasons I am sure I grew up poor. I got only two shorts to wear every year (one for Diwali – Oct or Nov…and another one for … Read more
How I grew up on hand-me-downs and friendly gestures
Much before folks in the Internet space discussed ‘share economy’ over drinks, and much before it was cool to use products such as Airbnb, BlaBlaCar, Fon etc. there were ‘hand-me-downs’. … Read more
How I became a better student at school
This is the story of how I became a better student. My schools had no role to play in me becoming a better student. It was all my skills, my … Read more
Father walked whole month for son who wouldn’t walk 50 meters
My parents hated going out to eat. In fact even when we were traveling and stranded outdoors at odd times, we would still stretch ourselves, reach home, cook food and … Read more
My criminal career was cut short but here is why I am in crime again
As a seven-year-old boy in 1982, I had taken baby steps towards becoming a career criminal. Back then, if you were a criminal you didn’t have to hide in a … Read more
Story of how Maggi noodles brought happiness in my life
You probably cook Nestle’s Maggi noodles, eat it and forget it. Hardly so in my case. This article is to explain and celebrate the importance of two-minute Maggi noodles in … Read more
Addictions in our family
As you are already aware the Rajans are a very pious family. We have no addictions. Well, almost. Well, let me not bluff you. Remember, a saying “A cigarette is … Read more
Celebrating birthdays
I was born on 26 April, 1975 – a bad time to be born. Indira Gandhi was to announce Emergency in India on 21st June, 1975…but my mother beat her … Read more
Doing for my daughter what my father did for me
Today we bought half of the total Amar Chitra Katha books ever printed for my three and a half year old daughter. To tell you the truth, I wanted to … Read more
Regional unrest in my house
You know the good thing about father-in-laws? Once you are married to their daughters you don’t need to impress them. And, do you know the bad thing about wives? They … Read more
And the rainy season begins
If you are living in Delhi or Gurgaon, my apologies….rain was never meant for you. If you live elsewhere in the country, chances are you have seen rain and understand … Read more
They didn’t give me any credit for 3 Idiots
When Chetan Bhagat (this is how you spell the guy…right?) was crying fowl over credits…or the lack of it in 3 Idiots…I thought he was being a kid. Today I … Read more