Oncea commitment, always a commitment. And that is what has stirred me toget up early, to sit up late, to work during meal times, to sacrificethat siesta, to engage in the Hospital while my friend undergoes aprocedure, to prop up in bed when fatigued, to stand and conduct, tolie and execute, to be in every possible contorted position of the bodythat shall assist me in getting through this massive task of replyingto the comments of DAYS 483, 484 and 485 !!

Theycome in fits and starts. More fits than the other. And it has takentime. There is a slag in the system that will not allow me to, aftersubmitting my response to the comment, or the much talked of ‘yellow’,come back for the next, at the press of the ’space’ or ‘return’ button.It comes back, but after taking a short drive around the block i.eafter 35 seconds ! Seems not too insurmountable ? Thats, Usain Boltdoing the 100 meters in 9.58, flashing his lightening pose afterhitting the tape, turning back to the start up and running again,lightening pose, back to the start up and hitting the tape for thethird time !! Thats not just a lot of running, thats a lot of time whenyou need to get across to over 2800 comments. Maths.. ? or as theAmericans would say … Math ..? 2800 multiplied by 35 seconds = 98,000secs/ 1633. 33333 mins/27.2222222 hrs of non stop black squarepunching !!

Singapore,dearly beloved, is a tourists delight. It is also a medical touristsdelight ! I am here as a distant former and an assistant latter. Were Ito pursue the 27.2222222, I shall without any conceivable doubt becomea has been latter.

So… I endeavor at a pace that does not cause much medical harm, but movesat a pace which as promised may take a couple of days to accomplish.

INTHE MEAN TIME… !!! I publish below … ta daa !!, all those that need tobe addressed, with affection and love and care and consideration andgentleness. I have you in my sights. I have shown you my intent and mysincerity. NOW …

WAIT …!! OKKKAAAAYYYY !! WAAAAIIIITTT !!

Thatsa frustrated scream at not being able to get to the point where Iwanted to. Its not AYM at all and neither is it AOM, its just me.

Do therefore, allow me the patience that I seek, for surely, this feat shall, by the Afternoon Despatch and Courier standards, be accomplished.

AND .. I actually ventured out into the city today, pathani salwar kameez andall ! Went about the humungous malls, busy as hell, but not a singlecounter without that traditional Singaporean smile. Such an alluringsight and feel. Everyone so polite and courteous, everyone so happy toserve, everyone ready to extend a helping hand. Yes they recognize andyes they ask for the usual, but they do not impose or disturb. There isa large population of those that come from our Southern region and I amquick to extend to them my ‘vanakkams’ and ‘sowki mas’. They gush through their large ‘bindis’on their forehead, or the renowned head shake, which seems like a ‘no’but is actually ‘yes’ and then they move away, preserving etiquette.

Kumar,my chauffeur and guide and financial advisor, historian and caretakerimpromptu body guard, drives me past some of the history of the place.The City Central Fire Station, built by the British as the first, insmall distinct red stones, is still as it was and still the main firestation. By its side a motley colored windows structure, unique throughits old world architecture, the former police station apparently,standing by itself as it was built, now looking completely out of placein the company of glass preferred high rises. A few old 1855 and 1888dated Churches, pristine and clean and maintained in original form. TheCanning Fort, and its importance during the World War and the invasionof the Japanese, the old and new Supreme Courts and millions andmillions of square feet concrete, sprouting from every corner. Butnever without the greening and the blooming environment. Trees, bushes,creepers and miles of lilac, lining the sides and the center divider ofthe roads and highways. A joy to the eyes and a solace to the mind !!

Imust to bed, remote in hand and the excitement of the I, II and IIIGodfathers on the screen before me. They drew my attention at a DVDstore and even though there must be at least 4 sets of this opus athome, I could not resist picking them up again.

Brando, Pacino, deNiro, Duvall, Coppola … just far too many vowels to ignore !!

Love and peace

Amitabh Bachchan